Product Information
Description
pH Balance Starter Kit, DuraChlor pH Up + pH Down + Lamotte Insta-Test 4 Plus
Test, adjust, repeat. Pool chemistry made simple.
The pH Balance Starter Kit (SKU PST-KIT-PH) is the everything-you-need-to-balance-pH bundle for any residential pool. You get 2 lb of DuraChlor pH Up (soda ash) to raise low pH, 3 lb of DuraChlor pH Down (sodium bisulfate) to bring high pH back in range, and a bottle of Lamotte Insta-Test 4 Plus strips so you actually know which way to dose before you pour anything in. Test, adjust, retest.
Why PST Customers Pick This
Raise Low pH
DuraChlor pH Up (MPN C002552-CS20B2) is pure sodium carbonate (soda ash). A typical 6 oz dose raises pH about 0.2 in a 10,000 gallon pool without spiking alkalinity hard.
Lower High pH
DuraChlor pH Down (MPN C002599-CS20B4) is granular sodium bisulfate. Roughly 12 to 16 oz per 10,000 gallons drops pH about 0.2, far safer to handle than muriatic acid.
Test First, Then Dose
The Lamotte Insta-Test 4 Plus 3032 strip reads free chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, and stabilizer (cyanuric acid) in one dip. Color-match against the bottle label and you have a full chemistry snapshot in 30 seconds.
Safer Than Liquid Acid
Granular pH Down skips the fumes, splash hazard, and storage headache of muriatic acid. Easier to dose, easier to store, and friendlier to vinyl liners when used per label.
Any Sanitizer, Any Surface
Compatible with chlorine, bromine, salt, and mineral systems and safe on vinyl, plaster, pebble, and fiberglass when applied per label.
Perfect for Pool Openings
Spring start-up and post-fill water almost always need a pH adjustment in one direction or the other. Having both options plus a test strip on the shelf means you fix it the first weekend.
Handling Notice
Always add chemicals to water, never water to chemicals. Do not mix pH Up and pH Down in the same dose, they neutralize each other and waste product. Wait at least 4 hours between adding opposing pH adjusters and retest before re-dosing. Keep test strips dry, capped, and out of direct sun. All chemical sales are final.
Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I use pH Up vs pH Down?
Test first. If pH is below 7.2, dose pH Up (soda ash). If pH is above 7.8, dose pH Down (sodium bisulfate). Always retest after 4 hours and at least one full pump turnover before adjusting again.
How much should I dose for a typical pool?
Rule of thumb for a 10,000 gallon pool: about 6 oz of pH Up raises pH ~0.2, about 12 to 16 oz of pH Down lowers pH ~0.2. Scale linearly with pool volume, and always under-dose on the first round, retest, then top up.
Why is total alkalinity on the test strip and not on the kit?
Total alkalinity is the buffer that keeps pH stable. The strip flags it so you can spot the real problem, sometimes pH bounces because TA is too low (under 80 ppm) or too high (over 120 ppm). For TA adjustment, add baking soda to raise or muriatic acid in slow doses to lower.
Can I use pH Down instead of muriatic acid?
Yes, that is the point. Sodium bisulfate (dry acid) drops pH the same way muriatic does, but it ships safely, stores in a sealed bag, and pours without fumes. The only trade-off is that dry acid adds a small amount of sulfate, not an issue for residential pools but worth noting on plaster pools with hard fill water.
How long do the Insta-Test strips stay accurate?
Stored capped, dry, and out of sun, the strips are accurate for about 2 years from manufacture. Look at the lot date on the bottle. Replace the bottle if the color pads start to discolor or if dipped strips give wildly different readings between consecutive tests.
Order the pH Balance Starter Kit
Authorized DuraChlor and Lamotte dealer. Ships next business day from our chemical warehouse and backed by PST Pool Supplies' service team.
Additional Info
| Category | Pool Chemicals |
| SKU | PST-KIT-PH |
| MPN | |
| Manufacturer | DuraChlor |
| Weight | 5.4 lb |
Let customers speak for us
Thanks, I’ll be sending it back for a return. The switch was too long and didn’t match OEM.
Excellent product, cleans debri with ease
The part was delivered quickly, there was an issue with the gauge being damaged but customer service resolved quickly!
Easy to use. Great instructions. Cleans great so far.
Easy to order - received the next day!
Beautiful!!
The valve fit perfectly and works great.
Fast shipping and great price!
Does what a small weed- eater would do it minutes versus an hour
Great product does exactly what was advertised to do.
I ordered the wrong part. Customer service was very helpful. I returned it and within the week my credit card was credited back. Excellent customer service policy.
