How to Lower Alkalinity in a Pool Naturally: A Guide for Pool Owners

If you own a pool, you know how important it is to keep the water chemistry balanced. One of the key factors that affects the water quality is the total alkalinity, which is a measure of how well the water can resist changes in pH. The ideal range for total alkalinity in a pool is between 80 and 120 parts per million (ppm). If the total alkalinity is too high, it can cause several problems, such as:

• Difficulty in adjusting the pH level can affect the effectiveness of chlorine and other sanitizers.
• Cloudy water is caused by calcium and other minerals falling out of the solution due to high pH.
• Calcium scaling is the formation of white deposits on the pool surfaces and equipment due to high calcium levels.
• Skin and eye irritation, which can result from exposure to high alkalinity water.

To avoid these issues, you need to lower the total alkalinity in your pool when it exceeds the recommended range. There are two main ways to do this: using chemicals or using natural methods. In this article, we will focus on natural methods, which are safer, cheaper, and more eco-friendly than using chemicals.

Method 1: Aerate the Water

Aeration is an excellent way to lower alkalinity levels naturally in your pool. It involves increasing the water’s exposure to air, which raises the pH levels and decreases the alkalinity. To do this, you can use a pool fountain, water feature, or an air compressor. The more bubbles you create, the better.

The process of aeration works by converting some of the bicarbonate ions in the water into carbon dioxide gas, which escapes into the air. This reduces the amount of alkaline substances in the water and lowers the total alkalinity. At the same time, it increases the pH level, which makes it easier for chlorine to work.

To aerate your pool effectively, you need to follow these steps:

1. Test your pool water using a test kit or test strips to determine the current levels of total alkalinity and pH.
2. Turn on your pool pump and filter system to circulate the water.
3. Set up your aeration device (fountain, water feature, or air compressor) and run it for several hours or until you see a noticeable drop in total alkalinity.
4. Test your pool water again to check the new levels of total alkalinity and pH.
5. Repeat the process until you reach the desired range of 80 to 120 ppm for total alkalinity and 7.2 to 7.8 for pH.

Method 2: Use Vinegar

Vinegar is another natural way to lower alkalinity in your pool. It is a weak acid that can neutralize some of the alkaline substances in the water and lower both total alkalinity and pH. Vinegar is also cheap and easy to find in any grocery store.

The downside of using vinegar is that it can take a lot of it to make a significant difference in your pool water chemistry. You may need to use several gallons of vinegar depending on the size of your pool and how high your total alkalinity is. You also need to be careful not to add too much vinegar at once, as it can cause a sudden drop in pH that can harm your pool equipment and irritate your skin and eyes.

To use vinegar to lower alkalinity in your pool, you need to follow these steps:

1. Test your pool water using a test kit or test strips to determine the current levels of total alkalinity and pH.
2. Calculate how much vinegar you need to add based on this formula: gallons of vinegar = (desired TA – current TA) x pool volume x 0.00013². For example, if you want to lower your total alkalinity from 150 ppm to 100 ppm in a 10,000-gallon pool, you need to add (100 – 150) x 10,000 x 0.00013 = 6.5 gallons of vinegar.
3. Turn on your pool pump and filter system to circulate the water.
4. Add vinegar slowly and gradually to your pool over several hours or days. Do not add more than one gallon per hour or more than four gallons per day.
5. Test your pool water again to check the new levels of total alkalinity and pH.
6. Repeat the process until you reach the desired range of 80 to 120 ppm for total alkalinity and 7.2 to 7.8 for pH.

Conclusion

Keeping your pool’s total alkalinity within the ideal range is essential for maintaining clear and healthy water. If your total alkalinity is too high, you can lower it naturally by using either aeration or vinegar. These methods are safe, effective, and eco-friendly alternatives to using chemicals. However, they may take some time and patience to achieve the desired results. You should also monitor your pool water regularly and adjust the total alkalinity as needed to prevent any problems.