How to Lower the Alkalinity of Pool Water
When the alkalinity of the pool is high, the pH of the pool is also high. The total alkalinity of the pool water is the result of high amounts of alkaline components such as hydroxides, bicarbonates and carbonates in the pool water. When the alkalinity is high, the pH is hard to adjust, scale formation can start on the pool walls and fixtures and the effectiveness of chlorine is reduced. The total alkalinity should be checked weekly or more often if the pool is used on a daily basis. The ideal reading is 100 to 140 parts per million (ppm). Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Total alkalinity test strip kit
- Sodium bisulfate
- Measuring scoop
- 5-gallon bucket
- Goggles
- Gloves
Instructions
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Test the pool water with the alkalinity test strip. Dip the strip in the water at the deep end as far down in the water as you can reach. Bring the strip out of the water and compare the color to the chart in the kit. If the color of the strip and the color chart indicate that the alkalinity is high, you need to use a pH reducer. The color chart will tell you how many ppm the alkalinity is high.
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2
Wear goggles and gloves to make a mixture of sodium bisulfate.
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3
Fill the bucket with water. Add 24 oz. of sodium bisulfate per every 10,000 gallons of pool water to reduce the alkalinity 10 ppm.
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4
Pour the water solution in the deep end of the pool starting at the beginning of the deep end and walking around to the other side.
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5
Turn on the pump so the water filters for at least six hours to circulate the water. Retest the water after six hours. If the alkalinity is still high, add 24 oz. of sodium bisulfate per every 10,000 gallons of pool water to lower the alkalinity 10 ppm. Repeat this step until the alkalinity is between 100 and 140 ppm.
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6
Retest the water after six hours. Assuming the water and alkalinity have adjusted, turn off the filter pump and resume normal filtering operation of the pool.
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