Will muriatic acid clear a cloudy pool?

Cloudiness Due to Elevated pH

Before you floc the pool, you should check the chemical balance, and if you notice the pH is too high, that may be why the pool is cloudy. You may be able to clear the water by adding muriatic acid to lower the pH.

What chemical will clear a cloudy pool?

Answer: Try using chlorine bleach (liquid chlorine) instead of granulated chlorine; this will clear and help keep away algae from your pool. Free chlorine should always be at 3ppm to avoid algae and cloudy water.

What does muriatic acid do to pool water?

Along with balancing the pH levels of your pool water, muriatic acid is strong enough to kill mold, remove rust stains, get rid of calcium deposits, and clean the surfaces of your pool.

How long does it take for muriatic acid to work in a pool?

Some people will tell you that it's safe to swim just 30 minutes after adding muriatic acid to your pool water. But we recommend playing it safe by waiting three to four hours and testing your water before swimming in your pool.

Can I add pool shock and muriatic acid at the same time?

Perhaps most important note of all, never add chlorine and muriatic acid together in the pool. This creates a dangerous toxic gas that can have severe health consequences if inhaled.

Cloudy Pool Water, Causes and Cures

Can you pour muriatic acid directly to the pool?

Yes, you can add muriatic acid directly to your swimming pool water. But it's safer if you dilute it in a bucket of water first. If you do want to add it directly to your pool, pour it into the deepest part of the pool, walking away as you pour so you don't inhale any of the fumes.

Do you run the pump when adding muriatic acid?

Turn the pool on

By having the pump on it will aerate the pool, slightly increasing pH and aiding alkalinity. Therefore, adding muriatic acid to the pool while the pump is running will reduce the likelihood of large drops in pH.

Can I add a gallon of muriatic acid to my pool?

One gallon of muriatic acid will lower the alkalinity about 50 parts per million per 15,000 gallons of existing balanced pool water. So if you had a reading of 100 ppm and you added one gallon of muriatic acid in the same-size pool, the reading should drop to around 50 ppm.

How often should you put muriatic acid in your pool?

The stronger the muriatic acid (aka Hydrochloric Acid) is, the less you can add at once. In a 10,000 – 15,000 gallon pool, you should not add more than 2 or 3 cups of muriatic acid in a 24 hour period.

Why is my pool still cloudy after shocking it?

But if the cloudy water persists long after you've shocked the pool, you're likely having an issue with water balance, circulation, or filtration. Heavy use of a calcium based pool shock (cal-hypo) may increase Calcium Hardness over a period of time, increasing your odds of cloudy water.

Does low pH make pool cloudy?

The pH of a pool should be between 7.2 and 7.8, with 7.6 being the ideal balance. Levels below 7.0 indicate acidic water. Levels above 7.8 mean that the water is too alkaline or basic. Both instances can lead to a cloudy pool.

Will baking soda clear a cloudy pool?

Baking soda can work wonders in a pool. Baking soda can: Help to clear cloudy water and restore the sparkle. Spot-treat algae.

Can too much chlorine cause cloudy water?

Excessive levels of pool chemicals can cause your water to become cloudy. High pH, high alkalinity, high chlorine or other sanitisers, and high calcium hardness are all common culprits.

Will muriatic acid lower hardness in pool?

Try muriatic acid.

It won't actually reduce the water's calcium hardness, but it will raise the saturation level, which can help bring the water back into balance.

What kind of muriatic acid do you use for pools?

Most commonly, pool owners will use hydrochloric acid (also known as muriatic acid). These are usually sold in gallon containers and come in liquid form. Most hardware and pool supply stores carry these. Muriatic acid is a corrosive chemical and can also be used for eliminating calcium deposits.

What happens when you mix chlorine and muriatic acid?

When mixed with any acid, it releases highly toxic chlorine gas. Most toilet bowl cleaners contain sodium hydrogen sulfate, an acid which will quickly liberate chlorine from bleach. The acrid fumes of chlorine can destroy lung tissue, cause the lungs to fill with water and in a sense cause death by drowning.

Should I run the filter after adding muriatic acid?

You want to make sure the pump is running for at least 1/2 hour, preferably even an hour, during and right after after adding most chemicals. Running the pump longer than 1/2 hour is just fine, particularly if you would normally have it running anyway.

What is the harmful effects of muriatic acid?

Chronic Exposure Effects on Health

Long-term exposure to muriatic acid vapors has been known to cause corrosion of teeth and severe lung damage leading to chronic bronchitis. Additional symptoms include gastritis; lesions in the trachea, nasal cavity, and larynx; photosensitization; circulatory failure, and death.

How long does muriatic acid last?

Sodium Bisulfate and muriatic acid could have a 5 year shelf life, however pH decreasers are acids, and a larger shelf life concern about pH decreasers is the strength of the container. Over time, thin plastic bottles or packaging can break down from contact with acids.

How long after muriatic acid can I shock?

After Adding Muriatic Acid

Muriatic acid can create a hot spot of acid in the water that could potentially burn or irritate your skin. It is best to wait 30 minutes after adding it to your pool.

How long does it take for pool clarifier to work?

Depending on your pool's level of cloudiness, it can take 2-3 days to clear up your water using pool water clarifier. You'll need to balance your water and run your filter 24/7 while the clarifier is at work. And if you have an algae problem, you'll have to address that first before adding clarifier.

Why are my pool chemicals not dissolving?

Most often, if your chlorine tablets aren't dissolving, it's because there is something wrong with the chemical feeder. Most commonly, it's because the chemical feeder is clogged up or dirty, so water isn't reaching the tablets properly, and therefore they aren't getting dissolved into the pool.