To bring down pH, use a made-for-pools chemical additive called pH reducer (or pH minus). The main active ingredients in pH reducers are either muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate (also called dry acid).
Lowering a pool's pH naturally can be done in four ways: installing a distilled water system to pump in water, cleaning your pool on a regular basis, leaving it alone, and letting the pH level come down on its own as minerals build-up, or installing a pool heater.
Sodium bisulfate and muriatic acid are the two main chemicals used to lower the pH of pool water.
pH Down comes in two forms: liquid acid or dry acid. Changes in the pH of pool water can be caused by many factors but one of the most significant causes is the sanitizer used. Since the sanitizer is the most frequently added chemical in pools, it can have a powerful impact on pH and overall water quality.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is naturally alkaline, with a pH of 8. When you add baking soda to your pool water, you will raise both the pH and the alkalinity, improving stability and clarity. Many commercial pool products for raising alkalinity utilize baking soda as their main active ingredient.
Just as you can raise the pH with baking soda, you can lower pool pH with vinegar. It is not, however, the most effective additive for this purpose. You'd have to add so much vinegar, in fact, that it would raise the sugar level of the pool and become food for microbes.
Water with a high pH level reduces chlorine's effectiveness. This can lead to other problems like cloudy water and algae buildup. Fortunately, learning how to lower pH in water is a simple task. This guide outlines instructions on how to test and lower pool pH level using pool chemicals.
To bring down pH, use a made-for-pools chemical additive called pH reducer (or pH minus).
Remember that a low pH level is crucial to successfully shocking a pool. At a pH level of 8.0, over half of your shock is ineffective and wasted. At a pH level of 7.2, however, over 90% of your shock will become active algae and bacteria killers.
After adding pH increaser or decreaser you'll want to wait about two to four hours, although some chemical manufacturers suggest a full turnover cycle, before retesting. The smaller the increments you need to adjust for pH, the less time you'll need to wait for the results to become stable.
When chlorine levels are too high, the water's pH will start to decrease, which can eventually lead to corrosion. However, liquid chlorine has a pH of 13 and can cause the water's pH to increase.
Rainfall dilutes pool chemistry levels and lowers the readings for pH, alkalinity, hardness, stabilizer, and chlorine. Rainfall does not contain chlorine. As well, rainfall brings with it small amounts of contaminants that are washed into the pool.
Lemon juice
The lower the pH of the water, the more acidic the water content will be. Therefore, it is not surprising that lemon, which is known for its acidity, can also be used as a way to lower the pH of water, especially drinking water.
There are a couple of ways you can lower pH in water. If you're drinking a glass of water, add a few drops of lemon juice. The acidity will lower the pH naturally. You could also install an acid injection system to your water supply to lower the pH of your drinking water.
What chemicals are used to adjust pH? Sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide (caustic) are most commonly used for neutralizing acids or bases. Caution must be used for pH adjust applications as an exothermic reaction will occur generating heat.
A very strong acid has a pH of 1 and may cause a severe burn. A very strong base has a pH of 14 and may also cause a severe burn. A substance with a pH of 7 is considered neutral and does not burn.
You can decrease pH without lowering the Total Alkalinity using Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) injection for pH control. Still, this does not lessen one without an effect on the other. When CO₂ is injected into water, it forms carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which will reduce the pH.
I high pH level can also result in cloudy pool water. This is because a high pH results in ineffective chlorine. If your pool's pH is above 7.8 then you'll want to use a pH reducer to bring the pH back down to safe levels.
Simply swimming and splashing around in your pool will break up the CO2 and cause the pH to rise. This is why it's so important to check the pH levels of your pool regularly. pH may also increase when chemicals are introduced into your pool. Granulated or liquid chlorine, for example, will raise the pH.
Algaecide will kill the algae and mold affecting your pool water, but it is best used as an algae preventative. While it does not change the pH balance of your pool water, it will keep algae from growing and work with your chlorine sanitizer to keep those levels balanced.
Pool Chemicals
The chemicals used to sanitize the pool also affect the pH of the water. Granulated or liquid chlorine is alkaline and, therefore, tends to raise the pH level. Bromine is more neutral and has a minimal effect on pH, while chlorine gas is acidic and lowers pH.
Most Algae Grows in High-pH Environments
Most types of algae typically enjoy higher pH levels, ranging from 8.2 to 8.7. Once algae starts growing, it can further raise the pH level in your pool and cause more algae growth.
When used correctly, muriatic acid can lower the pH levels of your pool water. The potency of muriatic acid makes it beneficial at getting rid of hardened water that has become too alkaline.
You'll likely notice a difference in your water chemistry an hour or two after the muriatic acid has circulated. Retest your water at that point. If your pH and alkalinity levels are still too high, add another round of pool acid in ½ gallon doses or less.