Pool RatioHow to use it
- Aim for pH 7.4–7.6 (7.2–7.8 is fine).
- Fix alkalinity first if it is far off: it steers how pH behaves.
- Add about ¾ of the dose, circulate 30–60 minutes and retest before adding the rest.
Example: 10,000 gallons, pH 7.8 → 7.4, TA 100, CYA 40, muriatic acid 31.45%
- Our model accounts for carbonate and cyanurate buffering
- Acid needed ≈ 16 fl oz
- Start with ¾: 12 fl oz, then retest
About 16 fl oz of 31.45% muriatic acid; it also lowers TA by about 6 ppm.
Every pool test kit has some error, and products vary in strength, so treat any dose as a starting point: add most of it, circulate, retest, then top up. Never mix chemicals together, and add each one separately to the pool.
Frequently asked questions
How much soda ash raises pH?
It depends on alkalinity and stabilizer. For 10,000 gallons at TA 80 and CYA 30, raising pH from 7.2 to 7.5 takes about 17 oz of soda ash. Flat label charts often say less because they ignore alkalinity.
Muriatic acid or dry acid?
Both lower pH and alkalinity. Muriatic acid is cheaper per dose; dry acid (sodium bisulfate) is easier to store and handle but adds sulfates over time.
Is acid safe to handle?
Use gloves and eye protection, pour slowly into the pool in front of a return jet, never add water to acid, and never mix acid with chlorine products.