What is what to do when alkalinity is high in pool?

High alkalinity in a pool can lead to several problems, including cloudy water, scale formation, and reduced chlorine effectiveness. Here's what you can do to address it:

• Test Your Water: Regularly test your pool water's alkalinity using a reliable test kit or test strips. Aim for a range of 80-120 ppm (parts per million). Accurate testing is crucial for effective adjustment.

• Determine the Cause: Before adjusting, consider what might be causing the high alkalinity. Common culprits include using alkaline chemicals to balance other parameters, high fill water alkalinity, or improper water chemistry.

• Lower Alkalinity with Acid: The primary method for lowering alkalinity is to add a muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) or dry acid (sodium bisulfate). Follow these steps:

  • Calculate the correct dosage: Use a pool calculator (available online or through pool supply stores) to determine the amount of acid needed based on your pool's volume and current alkalinity reading.
  • Dilute the acid: Always dilute the acid in a plastic bucket with water before adding it to the pool. Never add water to acid.
  • Add the acid slowly: Pour the diluted acid carefully into the deep end of the pool, preferably over a return jet to help circulate it.
  • Run the pump: Keep the pool pump running for at least 6 hours to ensure proper circulation.
  • Retest and repeat: After 6-12 hours, retest the alkalinity. If it's still too high, repeat the process with smaller doses of acid.

• Monitor pH: Lowering alkalinity will also lower the pH. After adjusting alkalinity, you will likely need to raise the pH back to the ideal range of 7.2-7.8. Use pH increaser (sodium carbonate) to raise the pH.

• Aeration (Can Increase pH and Alkalinity): While not a direct method to lower alkalinity, aeration can stabilize the pH after you've lowered alkalinity. If your pH drops too low after acid addition, aeration (like running a fountain or spa jets) can help bring it back up naturally, though it might slightly affect alkalinity too. Understanding pool aeration and its effect on overall water chemistry is important.

• Preventative Measures:

  • Use balanced chemicals: Opt for chemicals that won't drastically impact alkalinity.
  • Regular water testing: Frequent testing allows for early detection and correction of imbalances.
  • Control Fill Water: If your fill water has high alkalinity, consider using a pre-filter to reduce it as you add water to the pool.

• Consult a Professional: If you're unsure about any of these steps, consult a pool professional for guidance. Improper chemical handling can be dangerous.