This may be a siily question but.......

[waterbear]

Can I use PH minus to lower alk-or do I have to use acid. I have a vinyl pool.

Either one is fine, I prefer acid since it is cheaper and a bit more efficient but is it not as nice to work with as dry acid. Your choice.

[no1ford]

Ok-well I still have some ph minus from opening-so I will try that first. I added 1/2 cup to start for an 18x48 pool. I have read that if the ph gets to low it can harm the liner-so I a liitle hesitant. I will re-check in two hours. On average how long does it take for Alk to lower-is this another long process? Should I keep my filter running?

A couple more questions:

And I am still unclear about aeration.
One alk is adjusted do I add borax to raise ph back.
Can I continue to add my bleach as normal during this process?

I really appreciate your help. By next season I should be a pro!!

[no1ford]

Ph-7.2
Alk-200

Had a few kids jump in the pool to move it around. Should I add more ph minus or let it circulate overnight?

[waterbear]

Ok-well I still have some ph minus from opening-so I will try that first. I added 1/2 cup to start for an 18x48 pool. I have read that if the ph gets to low it can harm the liner-so I a liitle hesitant. I will re-check in two hours. On average how long does it take for Alk to lower-is this another long process? Should I keep my filter running?

A couple more questions:

And I am still unclear about aeration.
by lowering the pH you have shifted the TA buffer system of carbonic acid/carbonates/bicarbonates to more carbonic acid and less of the other two. Club soda is carbonic acid! (carbon dioxide gas dissolved in water) If you shake the bottle of club soda (aerate it) it goes flat (you have driven off the dissolved carbon dioxide). You want to do the same with your pool (I know you can't shake it but you want to disturb the water as much as you can, perhaps a pipe in the return with a 90 deg elbow to create a fountain effect, or 10 kids having a splashing contest)
One alk is adjusted do I add borax to raise ph back.
No, as the carbon dioxide is driven off the pH will rise on its own as the TA goes down. Just stop aerating when the pH is where you want it.
Can I continue to add my bleach as normal during this process?
Yes
I really appreciate your help. By next season I should be a pro!!

Hope this helps.

[no1ford]

Great thanks! I will continue to "disturb" my water!

Should I leave the pump running the whole time?

you have been a huge help to me through this! Can't thank you enough!

[waterbear]

Great thanks! I will continue to "disturb" my water!

Should I leave the pump running the whole time?
I would, especially if you have some type of 'fountain' hooked up for aeration
you have been a huge help to me through this! Can't thank you enough!

That's what this forum is all about.

[no1ford]

Todays numbers-

CL- 5-10
ph- 7.5
alk-220
cya-30

I have added ph minus for 4 days now and my ph and alk will not drop! I have had a ton of kids in there to help aerate too! Is this another long process? should I go buy alk minus from Walmart?

Please help! My water is back to being cloudy again!

Also my test kit says to test cya 2 times per summer--sound right?

[mbar]

You have to lower your ph down to 7 or 7.2, then aerate the water. As the alk goes down, your ph will rise. You must continue to add acid to bring down the ph to 7 - 7.2 and then aerate again. You do this process untill your alk is between 80 and 120. Muriatic acid works for ph or the dry acid for ph down. Not alk reducer. Hope this helps.