applenj
07-15-2006, 11:19 PM
We have recently re-opened a pool that has lain dormant for around 15 years. It is in-ground concrete, and holds about 32,500 gallons. It was repainted completely with SmartSeal paint, and then filled from unfiltered irrigation wells, which we know to be loaded with iron and low in pH.
Repeated trips to the local pool shop with water testing and adjustments have brought us to this point: we've dropped the iron levels down below .2ppm, the pH is hovering at 7.4, total alkalinity is at 90ppm, Calcium hardness is at 240, and CYA is currently showing zero (although a couple earlier tests had it in the 30-50 range--we have not yet added the CYA conditioner that we got for part of the larger regimen when things straightened out.) We are running a Triton T60 325-lb. Sand Filter, and we enhanced with a cellulose filtration supplement while removing the iron (will probably change to DE when that runs out).
The problem began with chlorine levels that would not go up despite shocking with 6 pounds of calcium hypochlorite on two successive evenings after the iron levels came down as well as floating a tablet distributor with six 3-inch trichloro-s-triazenetrione tablets. In addition, when levels weren't going up two of those tablets were crushed and broadcast on the water on each of two successive nights. By the end of this, the water was almost clear, with just a tinge of green haze, but the chlorine levels stayed at almost nil.
After all this, the latest test still showed .5 ppm Free Available Chlorine. They did not report total chlorine. At this point, the pool shop tested for phosphates and found over 1000 ppb. They recommended broadcasting 10 pounds of alum, running the filter to circulate for two hours, and then letting it sit overnight to settle out.
It has now been 24 hours, and the pool is as milky white as when the alum was first added. There was also a green tint to the cloudiness this afternoon, and the pool shop recommended another shock, so an additional 6# of calcium hypochlorite was added. A test strip this evening showed 10ppm chlorine present.
Will the alum cloudiness settle out? (It doesn't appear that there has been ANY sediment settling to the bottom yet, where we're able to see anything.) Should we be doing something else? Do we run the filter if it doesn't clarify soon? Are we screwed? Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated!
PS -- Thanks for this! It's great to have some access to expert experience and insight that doesn't necessarily have the need to sell you your next quick fix tied in to it!
Repeated trips to the local pool shop with water testing and adjustments have brought us to this point: we've dropped the iron levels down below .2ppm, the pH is hovering at 7.4, total alkalinity is at 90ppm, Calcium hardness is at 240, and CYA is currently showing zero (although a couple earlier tests had it in the 30-50 range--we have not yet added the CYA conditioner that we got for part of the larger regimen when things straightened out.) We are running a Triton T60 325-lb. Sand Filter, and we enhanced with a cellulose filtration supplement while removing the iron (will probably change to DE when that runs out).
The problem began with chlorine levels that would not go up despite shocking with 6 pounds of calcium hypochlorite on two successive evenings after the iron levels came down as well as floating a tablet distributor with six 3-inch trichloro-s-triazenetrione tablets. In addition, when levels weren't going up two of those tablets were crushed and broadcast on the water on each of two successive nights. By the end of this, the water was almost clear, with just a tinge of green haze, but the chlorine levels stayed at almost nil.
After all this, the latest test still showed .5 ppm Free Available Chlorine. They did not report total chlorine. At this point, the pool shop tested for phosphates and found over 1000 ppb. They recommended broadcasting 10 pounds of alum, running the filter to circulate for two hours, and then letting it sit overnight to settle out.
It has now been 24 hours, and the pool is as milky white as when the alum was first added. There was also a green tint to the cloudiness this afternoon, and the pool shop recommended another shock, so an additional 6# of calcium hypochlorite was added. A test strip this evening showed 10ppm chlorine present.
Will the alum cloudiness settle out? (It doesn't appear that there has been ANY sediment settling to the bottom yet, where we're able to see anything.) Should we be doing something else? Do we run the filter if it doesn't clarify soon? Are we screwed? Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated!
PS -- Thanks for this! It's great to have some access to expert experience and insight that doesn't necessarily have the need to sell you your next quick fix tied in to it!