Yes, saltwater pools require more acid. I add about a pint every 2-3 days. I buy acid by the case and go through a case every couple months. It still beats buying chlorine and shock!!!

Another yes from me. We have a "smaller" pool and I add a 1/5 of a gallon every week. From what I understand, adding acid is just the cost of having a salt system.

Wouldn't change a thing.

Regards,

Mike

14,000 gallons, quart a week of acid for me (with 2 waterfalls)

I got it now! Buy stock in the acid company and this explians why the Home Depot has a giant stock of this stuff outside.

I am running the pump when I add the acid and pouring into the deep section. Is this the best way to add?

Pour slow and move along abit as you pour is best

Once you catch up and get on a semi schedule you won't be adding as much.

PH testing becomes more of a confirmation than a indicator once you get used to it

How long would you wait before you let anyone go back into the pool after adding acid?

Pump on high 15 minutes. It disperses quickly. I add about a gallon a month myself.

I add about 2 * a week pour into the return stream with the pump on high. Watch out Home Depot, Lowes and Grocery stores are now selling 15% acid as opposed to 32.1% that has been normal. I noticed Leslie's is selling 29 % last month it was 32%. I guess Lie cheat and steel is there new motto.

You can re-enter after about 5-10 minutes

I am adding about 2 gallons a month, I do half gallon every week, on sunday when I test and clean pool.
The salt system is keeping the pool at a perfect level with chlorine, just adjusting the salt dial for hotter days and lower for cool days...I am in Las Vegas so it stays pretty hot.
I like adding acid much more then when I use to have to add shock and cholorine tabs, I do think it is cheaper when all I need is acid and easier too!

Wow! I only have to add about a gallon of acid each season. I guess that auto-cover really does cut down on the amount of chemicals you have to add.

Here's a link to information related to maintaining high PH pools. I have 35K gallons with SWG and only add about a gallon of acid every 3 months or so to keep alkalinity in range.

PH is staying around 8.0 and I keep all other chemical attributes in balance. This setup has been working just fine and is comfortable to occupants both in the water and after swimming.

Before trying the high PH method, I was adding about a gallon of acid every week trying to keep PH at 7.6 and figured I would give the high PH method a try. Have been doing this for about 10 months now with good results.

Now, all I do is adjust the chlorine output on the salt cell periodically throughout the year depending on season to maintain chlorine level. Acid is added every 3 months or so for alkalinity control. Stabilizer and salt added about twice a year due to splash out and overflow during heavy rains. After large parties, I opt for 1/2 gallon of chlorox instead of setting the salt cell to boost mode to superchlorinate. This is done in an effort to save the life of the salt cell and chlorox is cheap! No algae ever and hardly ever need to add chemicals including acid.....gotta love salt pools!

Just want to mention this as an alternative method to maintaining salt pools. Traditional wisdom with salt pools is to add acid all the time but wanted to share another perspective for those interested. As the article explains, every pool is different (I have lots of shade, lots of waterfalls and lots of water features). Only trial and error will allow you to determine best approach for your pool.

Hope this helps!

Here is a link that might be useful: Maintaining High PH Pool

I have a salt system as well. It takes about a pint every 2-3 days when my PH jumps a little. My system used to require more acid, but I've had my pool for 3 months now and within the last month, the demand has slowed a little. It doesn't worry me at all. I've read that this is normal.

P.S. I add it to the deepest part of the pool where the intakes are. I have also been told by my pool builder and Leslies not to enter the pool for 2 hours after putting in the acid.

You were dpdp, the stuff I have been getting at HD is 14.5% acid. I would have to be put in twice as much as the guy who buys the 30% stuff. I will check the labels better in the future and look for a source for the good stuff :)

This board is Great for learning things like this!

Acid percentages may be different, but look at the cost difference too.

Sorry dpdp above post should have read "You were right dpdp" .

Yes I will do the math. I paid about 8 bucks the other night for 2 gallons ofthe 14.5% acid. It would seem if the 30% is below $16 for 2 gallons I would be getting a good deal becuase I would use half as much.

Thanks, I will check percentages and cost at locations around me to see which one makes the most sense.

This is about about right. 1 gallon per month for the first year. This gets cut in half around the second year after your plaster is completly cured and leached.

Chorine costs much more than acid....trust me. I'm spending about $30 per month on it and I only have to keep the chlorine at .5-1ppm.

Where can you get the 30% acid?

quote from message above "Watch out Home Depot, Lowes and Grocery stores are now selling 15% acid as opposed to 32.1% that has been normal. I noticed Leslie's is selling 29 % last month it was 32%."

I plan to check a couple of the local pool supply guys. I will let you know what I find.

As a follow up I went to the local pool supply place, Argus, today and their acid is over 30% Acid. It cost me $8.50 for two gallons of the 30% acid, 50 cents more than HD's 14% acid. In addition, I was able to buy in a returnable container that I will get $1 off the next purchase of Acid. This brings my price below the HD price for the better product and I am doing something for the environment to boot!

Now I wonder how this 30% acid will work on removing deposits on tile and grout, but that is another thread :) http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/pools/msg0319342426695.html