How Long Does Can We Swim After Adding Muriatic Acid To Lower The pH Level?

by James
(Lancaster, PA)

We added muriatic acid to our pool to lower the swimming pool pH level. I need to know how long after we added it to swim.

Thanks for your question James

Technically you can swim within 30 min. if your pool pump is on and the water is circulating properly. If your pump is off you will lower the total alkalinity (TA), not the swimming pool pH level because acid is heavier than water and will "sink" to the deep end without effecting pool pH level very much.

Swimming Pool pH Levels..Chemistry..Alkalinity..Water..Care

Swimming Pool Alkalinity..Adjusting Your Pool Chemistry..Water Balance

I always suggest to wait for one complete turn-over of your pool water. That's normally about 10 hours.

Muriatic acid is toxic and will etch everything it touches so wear gloves, protective goggles, and old clothing.

You can "walk" the acid around the pools perimeter straight from the bottle or to avoid any splashing, you can get a bucket filled 1/2 with pool water, then add the muriatic acid.

Add acid to water and never the other way around!

You can add up to 1/4 gallon muriatic acid for a 20,000 gallon pool everyday until the pool pH level is between 7.6ppm - 7.8ppm. Check your total alkalinity and keep between 80 and 100ppm.

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