Need to start BBB

[dennistoner]

I need to be rid of the local pool store. Too many recommendations to spend money with no good results.

Pool: 35,000g Gunite

Current levels:

FC .5
TAC 1
Bromine N/A
ph 7.2
TA 90
Adjusted Alkalinity 60
CYA 100
CH 240
TDS 800
Phosphates 100
Nitrates 5 ppm

Getting a Taylor test kit tonight and need some help maintaining my pool............with your help of course. Thanks in advance. Dennis

[mas985]

Your chlorine level is too low for a CYA of 100. You need to adjust the FC level according to Ben's best guess chart:

http://www.poolsolutions.com/gd/best-guess-swimming-pool-chlorine-chart.html

or around 10 ppm FC.

This will help to reduce the combined chlorine. But long term, it would probably be beneficial to lower the CYA.

[BigDave]

...
FC .5
TAC 1
...
CYA 100
...
You've got trouble brewin'
You need alot more chlorine for that CYA level (which actually may be much higher). At least 8ppm FC according to Ben's Best Guess Chart (http://www.poolsolutions.com/gd/best-guess-swimming-pool-chlorine-chart.html).
How does your water look?
Do you have metals in the water?

If your water has no metals and is clear, you'll need about 4-1/2 gallons of 6% bleach to get to the minimum 8ppm FC for CYA of 100ppm.

If your water has no metals and is green, you'll need 14-15 gallons of 6% to reach your shock level of 25ppm FC.

These amounts are only to get you to your required levels, you'll need more for maintenance.

Alot of people on this forum find a good deal on bleach at wall mart. If the store in your area has the HTH 6-way kit, buy one. (Check availability (http://www.walmart.com/ip/HTH-6-Way-Test-Kit/17043668)) If not, pick up a cheap OTO / Phenol Red test kit.

If you have metals, check back and let us know.


Getting a Taylor test kit tonight...You do mean ordering a K-2006? With High CYA, the FAS-DPD test is essential for taking care of your pool.

[juiceautomatica]

Would it be good to also add a box of borax to raise the pH a few ticks? Or not worth it until the clorine is up?

[PoolDoc]

Hi juice;

His current levels won't hurt anything; we tend to focus on the serious issues and then see if the minor ones are still around after the major ones have been fixed.

[dennistoner]

Yes, ordered the K 2006. The water is clear to see the deep drain (6' depth). My plan is to run my own set of tests when the test kit arrives then post the results.

I understand that the FC level is a problem as well as the CYA level. After posting my readings I will need to know what problm to address first. Thank for your responses. Dennis

[Watermom]

You can't wait until your kit arrives to get some chlorine in your pool or it is going to turn green! Add 12 gallons of plain, unscented household bleach. That should get you up to your shock level of 25ppm. (See the Best Guess Chlorine Chart in my signature below.) With no chlorine in there and a CC reading, you've got something trying to get started. You need to start your attack now or you'll be fighting a green pool later.

This pool is huge. It is going to be impractical for you to use bleach for the season. Does your pool store sell carboys of liquid chlorine that is either 10 or 12.5% bleach at a decent price? The other option would be to use cal-hypo for awhile until your calcium hardness gets to around 400 or so and then you'll need to switch to liquid chlorine.

OR -- do a partial drain and refill to try and bring the CYA level down some. That might be costly to replace a lot of water, though. But, do NOT totally drain your pool or you risk floating it out of the ground if your water table is high.

[dennistoner]

Watermom, Please explain a CC reading. Sorry I just don't know what that is. My plan was to lower the CYA by draining half the pool level.

It sounds as if a pool this size should be maintained by liquid chlorine. I'll find out of my local store carries it. We currently have two floating dispensers with 3 Pool Brand 3" tabs. Would a chlorinator added to the plumbing system help? The sun shines most every day here in Columbia. At this point I'm still confused. Load up with bleach or drain the water first? Thanks for the help. Dennis