Help! Can't run pump, and don't want a green swampy mess!

[Henrys514]

Wasn't sure where to post this...I went outside and added 4 cups acid to the pool this morning. Went over to check the filter pressure (which was fine) and saw the in-line chlorinator spewing water everywhere. There has always been a small drip coming from it and the plan was to replace the pump, filter case, and chlorinator at some point this year. Obviously, we can't run the pump right now until we temporarily fix the leak, or replace everything. So, my questions.

1. I had to turn the pump off 10 minutes after I added the acid this morning. Was that wrong? I figured saving the water was more important than circulating the acid.

2. I had planned on adding liquid chlorine tonight (level was ~2-3ppm yesterday CYA is 60ppm. Average daily loss of Chlorine is ~2ppm). Can I still add it even though the pump is not on?

3. We are going away for the weekend (great timing, right?) and we may have to wait for new parts to be shipped to us, so this problem may not get fixed ASAP. How can I prevent the pool from getting green and swampy with no pump to circulate the water?

Pool is in-ground, 12000gal, aggregate surface, no enclosure. Pool has been looking great...we were going to start swimming next weekend. :(

[JohnT]

1. I had to turn the pump off 10 minutes after I added the acid this morning. Was that wrong? I figured saving the water was more important than circulating the acid.

The acid can settle to the bottom of the pool and damage the finish.



2. I had planned on adding liquid chlorine tonight (level was ~2-3ppm yesterday CYA is 60ppm. Average daily loss of Chlorine is ~2ppm). Can I still add it even though the pump is not on?

Not a good idea


3. We are going away for the weekend (great timing, right?) and we may have to wait for new parts to be shipped to us, so this problem may not get fixed ASAP. How can I prevent the pool from getting green and swampy with no pump to circulate the water?

Pool is in-ground, 12000gal, aggregate surface, no enclosure. Pool has been looking great...we were going to start swimming next weekend. :(

I'd just cut the chlorinator out of the line and cut a piece of pipe to fit in its place.

[ivyleager]

Ditto what John said. If you're using bleach for chlorination, you don't need the in-line chlorinator, eh?

CaryB

[Henrys514]

Thanks for the responses. Hopefully I didn't do too much damage with the acid...can't do much about it here at work. I dumped it right in the path of the returns, so hopefully it got a little circulated. I won't add any chlorine tonight, and I'll mention to the hubby about putting a pipe there instead (I like that idea...it makes the most sense).

I hate the stupid in-line chlorinator. It was there when we bought the house, and hubby insists on using it. I can't seem to talk him out of it...

[aylad]

Thanks for the responses. Hopefully I didn't do too much damage with the acid...can't do much about it here at work. I dumped it right in the path of the returns, so hopefully it got a little circulated. I won't add any chlorine tonight, and I'll mention to the hubby about putting a pipe there instead (I like that idea...it makes the most sense).

I hate the stupid in-line chlorinator. It was there when we bought the house, and hubby insists on using it. I can't seem to talk him out of it...

If you added the acid in the path of the returns, and it circulated for approximately 10 minutes, then you're probably okay there.

I disagree with the others about the addition of bleach, though...I would go ahead and add it to my pool, pouring slowly around the perimeter and stirring with broom handle or whatever else clean you have handy just so it doesn't concentrate at the sides. Might want to toss very small amounts at a time toward the middle, just to spread it out a little. Better to add a little now than to have to deal with a swamp.

Janet

[Henrys514]

My husband ended up being home from work yesterday, and he fixed the problem, so I was able to add chlorine last night how I had planned. Thank you all for the advice/suggestions though! I'm so happy we get to swim next weekend now. :D