Salt water pool pH
A salt cell produces sodium hydroxide, and that's what drives your pH upward. To cut pH by 0.2 units in 10,000 gallons, dose roughly 25.6 fluid ounces of muriatic acid at 31.45% strength. Credit for that goes to SC Coastal Pools. Check your pH and find out how many gallons you have. After that, add whatever amount brings you to 7.6.
Why salt water pool pH rises
Sodium hydroxide forms at the cathode plate inside your salt cell. That happens during every hour the cell operates.
Your pH keeps getting pushed higher as a result.
A running cell means climbing pH. You can pull it down again with muriatic acid.
Acid amounts for lowering pH
Start by testing your pH. The muriatic acid amounts here come from Knorr Systems' dosing chart and take your water to 7.6.
A reading of 7.8 calls for 1 1/3 cups of muriatic acid per 10,000 gallons. For 25,000 gallons use 3 1/4 cups, or go with 1 1/2 quarts when you have 50,000 gallons.
A reading of 8.0 means 2 1/2 cups per 10,000 gallons. For 25,000 gallons use 1 1/2 quarts, and for 50,000 gallons use 3 quarts.
A pH of 8.2 takes 3 1/2 cups per 10,000 gallons. For 25,000 gallons that's 1/2 gallon, and 50,000 gallons takes a whole 1 gallon jug.
| pH now | Cups per 10,000 gal | Cups for 15,000 gal | Cups for 25,000 gal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.4 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 10.0 |
| 8.2 | 3.5 | 5.3 | 8.8 |
| 8.0 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 6.3 |
| 7.8 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 3.3 |
Each amount lowers pH to 7.6. The cups come off Knorr's chart, written for muriatic acid at 31.45%, and are scaled to your gallons. Pour in half, run the pump and test again before you add what's left.
Target pH for each chlorinator
A range of 7.2 to 7.8 works for Hayward, Pentair and CircuPool alike. Hayward's manual states that span for AquaRite. Free chlorine should sit at 1.0 to 3.0 ppm (parts per million, the unit on your test strip) for Hayward as well. Total alkalinity of 80 to 120 ppm is what CircuPool asks for.
With Pentair you get a wider acceptable band plus a narrower ideal zone. Pentair's manual says the IntelliChlor Plus and LT accept 7.2 to 7.8, with 7.4 to 7.6 being the sweet spot.
The AquaPure from Jandy specifies 7.4 to 7.6. Bring it down with muriatic acid.
Questions people bring to the counter
How can I raise the pH in my salt water pool?
According to Pentair's IntelliChlor guide, use soda ash when your reading needs raising to between 7.2 and 7.8. Sodium hydroxide comes from the cell while it runs. pH climbs by itself as a result.
Does 7.8 pH count as too high for a salt water pool?
Hayward AquaRite, Pentair IntelliChlor and CircuPool systems treat 7.8 as their ceiling. The 7.4 to 7.6 range Jandy AquaPure requires is already exceeded. Adding 1 1/3 cups of muriatic acid per 10,000 gallons returns you to 7.6.
Which pH level works best in a saltwater pool?
Stay between 7.4 and 7.6. Pentair says 7.4 to 7.6 is the sweet spot for IntelliChlor Plus and LT. The same span appears in Jandy's guidance. Doses from the chart land you at 7.6. 7.8 is where Hayward, Pentair and CircuPool max out.
What's the way to lower pH in my saltwater pool?
Reach for muriatic acid. With 31.45% muriatic acid, you'll need around 25.6 fluid ounces to lower 10,000 gallons by 0.2 units. Check the water, find your gallons on the dosing chart and add the acid.