how to lower if I need to? alkalinity of 170

[timmie]

Hi, I went to get my water tested and these are the results.

Chlorine 8 I have been putting pucks in, two large into the skimmer
PH 7.1 just added 1/4 box borax got that info on line here for my 70,000 litre pool
Calcium 100
ALkalinity 170

Can I still swim with these numbers? how do I lower the alkaline? and how much would I use? Could I buy it at Canadian Tire, or a home hardware store,,,,,,,,whatever I need. I have a vinyl pool............
Thanks again everyone.

[mas985]

To lower alkalinity:
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=191

You did not post CC or CYA but from what you have given, it does not look like anything is at a dangerous level. Why did you think you could not swim?

[timmie]

I thought once it reaches a certain level that you cant swim ( alkaline)

[timmie]

I forgot to mention that my PH is o.k, its the alkalinity that I am worried about..................I dont understand the thread that you sent me. I did have my solar cover on for a few days , could that have changed the alkaline? Do I need to use the acid to bring it down abit? Or can I just add more water to my pool? We had quite a bit of rain in the past few days...

[let_her_flicker]

You want to read this thread:

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=195

Personally, I wouldn't worry about an Alkalinity reading of 170, as long as your PH is not bouncing around. When you read the information, Ben says "around" when he mentions the numbers.

Pool is okay to swim in.

[mas985]

Timmie,

First alkalinity of 170 is a bit high for pool water but my house is over 240 so it is safe to swim in.

Next, in your original post, you asked how to reduce alkalinity which is why I gave the link I did. Did you not understand the procedure or were you looking for something else?