rikper
06-28-2009, 06:46 PM
I checked my chemicals after neglecting my pool for I can't remember how long. I have maintained it somewhat by adding chlorine. Did a test today and below are my results:
In ground, diamond bright 11,000 gal.
FC = 0
CC = 0
TC = 0
pH = 8.2
Alk = 90
Cal = 70
Cya = 0
aylad
06-28-2009, 08:11 PM
I assume you have a green swamp? I would do the following:
First, scoop out as much crud as you can from the bottom. Then add enough bleach to get your chlorine up to 15 ppm, which should be about 3 gallons of 6% ultra. Check your chlorine and add more to get back to the 15 ppm at least 2-3 times daily, and more often if possible. The key to clearing up the pool is to sustain the high chlorine level. Each 3 cups of 6% ultra you add will increase your Cl by 1 ppm, so you can use that as a guide to help you maintain the 15 ppm. Right after the first addition of chlorine, I would use muriatic or dry acid to drop your pH to the 7.2-7.4 range. Muriatic will use less and get the job done quicker, just make sure you wear gloves and glasses to handle it and DON'T BREATHE THE FUMES. If you prefer to use dry acid, then mix it in a bucket of water first, then pour it slowly into the return stream to your pool. You can also mix muriatic in a bucket of water before adding it to the pool--just make sure you're adding acid to water--NEVER water into acid. Meanwhile, I would buy some stabilizer (also known as CYA, balancer,etc.)--you can get a 2 lb container of it at WalMart in the pool section. It's called balancer, but the ingredient label will list cyanuric or isocyanuric acid as the active ingredient. Follow the label directions for how much to add for a target of 20 ppm for your pool volume--except don't broadcast it in the pool--put it in a knee hi hose or tube sock and either put it in your skimmer basket or suspend it in front of your return. In your case, I would recommend you suspend it in front of the return so that you can backwash your filter frequently while clearing up your pool. It takes several days for it to dissolve and show up as a readable level in your pool, so don't test for it or add more for at least a week. Keep the Cl at 15 ppm, keep your filter/pump running and backwash the filter as the pressure indicates, and the pool should be on its way to clearing up. When the water turns from any yucky color to just cloudy blue, then you can let your Chlorine drop back down to the 3-5 ppm range and just let your filter run to filter out the rest of the dead algae.
I would leave your Alk alone, as it is ideal at 90. Someone else will have to address the calcium issue because I'm not sure exactly what type of finish Diamond Brite is...if it's plaster/concrete based, then you're going to need to get your calcium up, but if not, you can probably leave it alone. Hopefully someone with Diamond Brite experience will chime in shortly.
Hope this helps!!
Janet