Thy being the case then shouldn’t surface agitation solve this naturally without having to do a WC or add chemicals to stimulate the process. Tank should quickly stabilize with the room co2 vs a WC which will shock inhabitants quickly. Speaking in general terms as not all would have the ability to quickly remove inhabitants.The pH is what you need to fix.
No clue how citric acid affects tank parameters other than just being an acid that depletes pH but I’m assuming also kh and perhaps that’s the one items I’d try increasing although not sure in that. Perhaps soda ash as that will also increase pH and not affect calcium.