The ideal pH range for hot tub water is between 7.4 and 7.6, but the acceptable range is between 7.2 and 7.8. Dilute the acid first in a bucket of water (add water first then acid) in a 10:1 (water to acid) ratio (always follow manufacturers instructions). Hence, muriatic acid comes out as the cheaper of the two. Both muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate are good options for lowering the pH and alkalinity in your pool, though each has its pros and cons. Sodium bisulfate, also known as dry acid, is a safer and less corrosive alternative to muriatic acid. Fewer hydrogen ions will cause the pH to spike. for every ounce of muriatic acid, you need ~1.31 ounces of sodium bisulfate to do the same thing. You will need to balance the pH and alkalinity of your water nearly every week if you use the hot tub regularly. Even if you suspect that the alkalinity of your hot tub water is high, you should confirm your suspicions by testing the water with an alkalinity testing strip or kit. Website Design by Sitewired Web Solutions. Vinyl pools are characterized by having a sheet of vinyl between the water and the pool structure. In spa water sodium bisulfate dissociates into sodium and sulfate releasing a hydrogen ion (i.e. Muriatic acid is more efficient but dangerous to handle and sodium bisulfate is safer but more expensive. To decide which to use, youll have to think about your priorities: are you more focused on getting the pH down quickly, are you on a budget, or are you more worried about your safety? Here is a case study by Que Hales of onBalance trying to remove it from a pool in Arizona: https://aquamagazine.com/service/the-mystery-of-the-pointed-crystals.html. Similarly, even if you suspect that the pH of the water is high, you should take a precise measurement of the actual pH by testing the water with a pH testing kit or testing strips. - EPA.gov, This is a far more serious problem than the carbonate scale for two reasons. Test the water chemistry to see how much youll need to add; Based on the manufacturers instructions, calculate how much muriatic acid youll need to add to lower the pH to the normal range; Add your muriatic acid while keeping your filter running. A sodium bisulfate pool system generally involves a specialized feeder to dissolve the acid in the water, then feed the acidic solution into circulation. To lower both total alkalinity and pH, you will need to add an acid. Because its difficult to compare a liquid acid and a granular acid that comes in different concentrations, we should look at this from a cost-per-dose perspective to see how much each would cost when theyre both trying to lower the pH. Total alkalinity should be tested before the pH. As a result, the water quality deteriorates, causing build-up and other problems in the hot tub. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. In this sense, pH reduction products include both muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate. They are typically sold in both a 30% concentration version (at pool stores) and a 15% concentration version (at hardware stores).
Choose the right chemical. Thanks, TMan. Related Reading: Which Chlorine to Use for Vinyl Liner Pools? Doesnt come with clear instructions on how to use it. At the end of the day, just know that whichever option you choose, youll be sure to have your pH back down to normal; its just a matter of time (literally). Scoop water out of your hot tub into an 8 gal (30.28 L) plastic bucket until that container is three-quarters full. Total alkalinity's ability to measure the water's resistance is more accurately described as a measurement of "buffering capacity.". of 93.2% sodium bisulfate = 12.1 fl.oz. In this article, Ill be helping you compare and contrast the two most common chemicals used to lower pH and alkalinity, muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate, so you can decide which option is best for you. Commercial pools have brands like, Do not add undissolved sodium bisulfate to your pool. It also creates toxic fumes.
This means that to lower the pH any more will mean additional sodium bisulfate and therefore, more sulfates to your pool water. Understand the relationship between pH and total alkalinity. Hello , This is an inactive thread. Lets first take a look at what these chemicals are individually so that you can have a better sense of the comparisons Ill be discussing later on. 12th Annual Year End Savings Event! As a general rule, you will need 1.6 lbs (725.75 g) sodium bisulfate or 1.3 qt (1.23 L) muriatic acid for every 10,000 gallons (37.85 kL) of water to drop the total alkalinity by 10 ppm. Make sure that the pump and filters are running. So yes, for an equivalent dose, sodium bisulfate leaves behind 2.15x the sulfates than sulfuric acid does. AJH Trade Group Australia Pool Equipment | Pool Lifestyle | Pool Heating | Pool Maintenance | Pool Problems, Acid Blue Muriatic Acid Swimming Pool pH Reducer Balancer 1 Gallon, In The Swim pH Reducer 50 lb Bag Sodium Bisulfate pH Down. Liquid muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid diluted to 20 percent) and dry sodium bisulfate are among the most popular choices. Test the pH of the hot tub. This time, instead of converting to one sulfuric gallon, let's convert to one pound of sodium bisulfate: 1 pound of 93.2% sodium bisulfate = 12.1 fl.oz. Pour the full amount of pH decreaser into the water in the bucket and let it dissolve. Related Reading: How to Lower the pH in your Pool. Test the pH and alkalinity of your pool water so that you know how much you need to lower it; Follow the manufacturers directions to see how much sodium bisulfate youll need; Pour the product into the water near the return jets and deepest end of your pool, while keeping your pumping running; Let your pools filtration system circulate and dissolve the product in the water; Retest the water chemistry within 24 hours and repeat if necessary. EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. Though the floor typically has a base of sand or a cement-like substance, and the walls are made with galvanized steel or thermoplastic, the vinyl itself protects these materials from the water. Hot Tub Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer) High | How to Lower, How to Fix a Slimy Feeling Hot Tub (Clear Biofilm), Vapor reduction technology reduces 90% of harmful vapors that come with traditional muriatic acid, The difference between this and traditional muriatic acid is not very noticeableStings the eyes even though fumes are reduced, Very quick and efficient (works in under 15 minutes), Fumes can be quite intense (a mask is recommended). Muratic Acid is very good at lowering both PH and TA. Signs of high alkalinity include the formation of scales along the sides and bottom of the tub, cloudy water, skin irritation, eye irritation, and poor sanitary conditions. Always follow the instructions on your pH/alkalinity chemical when preparing the correct amount. Muriatic acid is more dangerous though. Please consider. than our process. So that begs the question: is sulfuric acid appropriate for startups? They were timely, efficient, reasonably priced, and gave that extra customer Having had 2 unbelievably bad experiences and given mis-information by the original manufacturer and terrible follow up and service from another hot Denver Hot Tubs | Everything Hot Tubz | Denver Swim Spas and Used Spas. During this time, the pumps should circulate the water and acid together more thoroughly. We do not want to complicate the already-delicate water balance by introducing corrosive sulfates when the plaster is in its infancy. Know the signs of high alkalinity and high pH. You can usually tell when the pH and alkalinity of your hot tub are high based on the way it runs. Your chemistry is wrong. However it is also very corrosive and needs to be both handled and added very carefully. Most visitors online was 3404 , on Jan 24 2020, Amazon.com | Perfect Pourz 8 ounce Plastic Liquor Flask - Small Flasks with a Built-in 1/2 Ounce Shot Glass: Flasks, Filter cleaning chemicals - SDS reviews, DIY guidance, With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. While Supplies Last, See Store for Details. Both sodium bisulfate and muriatic acid are dangerous chemicals and should be handled with care. Slowly pour the diluted decreaser into the center of the hot tub. Monday to Friday: 10:00am-6:00pm The main difference is the byproduct left behind. Mix the chemical together with a small amount of water. Walk-ins Periodically drain the water. 1 pound (16 oz.) I have gotten full strength MA on my skin many times and I assure you Im not a zombie extra on the set of The Walking Dead. Like muriatic acid, sodium bisulfate lowers pH and alkalinity and is also used in household cleaning products and other applications. Pouring the acid into the bucket first and adding the water can cause damage to the bucket and may result in ineffective mixing. July 2001. The local spa store sold me some "pH down", which is sodium bisulfite. It is crucial, however, that no one is in the hot tub while you are balancing the water.
Slowly pour the acid near your return jets to let the pump circulate it; Keep your pool filter circulating to let the chemical dissipate (normally within an hour); Retest your water chemistry after an hour or two. Because fiberglass is constructed using small glass threads, polyester resin, and weather-resistant gel, its much less prone to damage caused by sulfates. It's been more than 30 years since I studied chemistry, and for me it was just a requirement for graduate education. O. From the, Sulphate attack occurs under balanced water conditions, even at concentrations below the maximum recommended concentrations. Additionally, muriatic acid works faster and is cheaper per dose. In this case, say were trying to lower the pH from 7.9 to 7.5. The guys at Everything Hot Tubz were Fabulous! 2 H2O. The higher the sulfates, the faster the rate of etching. Muriatic acid appears most often as a liquid acid that is commercially produced and sold in 1-gallon jugs. Muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate both have their pros and cons. Dilute it with water first in a bucket then add it to your spa. Ed and Johnny went above and beyond what was expected. This partly explains why sodium bisulfate costs more than muriatic acid. As the topic title states, I have a situation where my TA is very high as is my pH. If you need to make further adjustments, the sulfates can easily pile up and, because theyre quite difficult to remove, youll likely see the effects of the sulfates on your pool much sooner than youd expected. Huge Discounts on Slightly Blemished and Open Box Hot Tubs and Swim Spas! This requires approximately 12 ounces (354 mL) of 31% strength muriatic acid or 16 ounces of sodium bisulfate granules. Both can be used to lower the pH and total alkalinity of pool water. Allow the pump to circulate the water for three to six hours after you add the decreaser. 9.6 4.45 = 2.15. Start out slow and take your time. That would only occur in water with a pH near 2 or below since that is the pKa of sodium bisulfate. Any new postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. Here, Ill be providing you with a quick guide on using sodium bisulfate to lower the pH in your pool. High pH and High Total Alkalinity- use Muriatic acid or not? Usually, if the sulfate level in your pool water exceeds 300 ppm, the water will start to attack and corrode concrete pool surfaces, metal components (including saltwater generators), and vinyl pool liners. The muriatic acid most commonly used in pools is 31.45% HCl, ) is perhaps the purest, safest pH reducer on the planet. process calls for industry-standard muriatic acid (31.45% HCl). Shop Perfect Pourz at the Amazon Dining & Entertaining store. Sunday: 12:00pm-5:00pm, Hours: I assume that by corrosive you mean to skin and surrounding structures and not to the internal plumbing and mechanics of the tub, correct? Since the two are so closely connected, you will often need to correct both at the same time. Rapid changes in he pH are often symptomatic of low alkalinity, as well. This is based on reducing pH from 7.9 to 7.5 in a 17,000 gal (77,284 L) pool. I don't keep and acid around outside of the acid that's in the container that the stenner pump pulls from.