My Pool Looks Like An EASTER EGG!!! -- NOT a good thing!

Summer,

Remember my post calling for 4 gallons of bleach? Why are you putting in five gallons? Not enough is useless...too much is not good at all, unless you REALLY want to spend some money.. Just like Goldilocks, you've got to get your quantities "just right"?

Listen to the advice you're getting. Nothing is cheaper than bleach to fix your problems. Once your water is clear, you will use maybe 1-2 qts per day to keep your pool nice. Did you think you would have to use this much bleach all the time? If so, you need to do more reading.:) :)

Ben does not recommend polyquat for what you're trying to do. What makes you think it's cheaper, anyway?

Go get some more bleach and bring your Cl reading up to 18-20ppm.

Stay the course!!:) :)

Dave S.

popcorn, Read through this thread on polyquat all the way to the end. It looks like another forum member had some success using poly to get rid of an algae infestation...http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=486

Dave,

You are right; I'm getting ahead of myself. :o
Sorry about that.
I'm just REALLY dying to use my pool (my kids are driving me nuts, too!); it is already so hot here! I saw where parts of the country were getting snow yesterday... :eek:

Ok, ok; I will stick with 4 gallons of bleach, but how often should I add it?
I added 4 last night, 5 this morning, and everything is still zero.

Quote:

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What type of test kit are you using for FC and TC? Is it DPD (comparator cell with pink colors) or FAS-DPD (titration test)? The reason I ask is that DPD can bleach out with high chlorine levels. I don't think this is what is happening. I think you just have a big chlorine demand and the only thing that will take care of it is to satisfy your pool's "hunger" for chlorine right now but it is one possiblity that sprung to mind to explain your FC of 0.

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I am currently using a TAYLOR "Complete (High)" DPD drops kit.
:confused:

I guess I will just "keep on, keeping on."
I really want to order Ben's test kit, but it will definitely have to wait until next month's paycheck! <sigh>

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PopcornGirl

Dave,

You are right; I'm getting ahead of myself. :o
Sorry about that.
I'm just REALLY dying to use my pool (my kids are driving me nuts, too!); it is already so hot here! I saw where parts of the country were getting snow yesterday... :eek:

Ok, ok; I will stick with 4 gallons of bleach, but how often should I add it?
I added 4 last night, 5 this morning, and everything is still zero.

I am currently using a TAYLOR "Complete (High)" DPD drops kit.
:confused:
I wonder if you would run some tests as I describe and then post the results. I just want to eliminate something that I don't think is happening but I would like to be sure.
First, run a FC test and a TC test on your tap water...if both tests are 0 ppm then you can use tapwater for the rest of this...otherwise get a bottle of distilled water from the grocery.
If you read the instructions in the box lid of the Taylor kit (or is it in the book...haven't looked in a while) it describes a method of testing when the chlorine levels are high. If you look on the chlorine test comparator tube you will see a mark at 1.9 ml near the bottom and one about halfway (don't remember the measurement and am at work now so I can't look at mine)

The next test I would like you to do is FC ad TC using pool water to the half way mark and either the tap water that tested 0 or distilled water to the normal mark at the top and let me know what the readings are.
Finally , redo the FC and TC test filling to the 1.9 ml mark with pool water and the rest of the way with the tap or distilled water and post those results. I suspect they will all show 0 ppm chlorine BUT if you show readings higher than that as you dilute then it means the test is bleaching out. If you get a pink color on the dilutions please post the results and we can take it from there.

I guess I will just "keep on, keeping on."
I really want to order Ben's test kit, but it will definitely have to wait until next month's paycheck! <sigh>

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I am pretty sure that this is NOT what is happening but I just want to be sure since you have dumped so much stuff into that pool at this point :eek:

Waterbear,
I have to go to a nursery meeting at church tonight, but I definitely want to do this! Like you, I don't think this is what's going on, but (like you) it's a nagging thought now in the back of my mind that I'd like to rule out.
I have to work for a couple of hours tomorrow morning (ebay business), but I will tackle this test and report back to you either late tonight or tomorrow afternoon.
I agree that this needs to be addressed, even if it is not the culprit!

By the way, I had a little GOTCHA moment earlier that made me realize how impatient I am acting... I walked out to my pool, frustrated, about an hour ago and the algae is CONSIDERABLY BETTER! I mean, a good 1/3 of it is gone!
Guess I'll quit whining now. ;)

Hi, Summer,

Complete waterbear's test. Like both of you, I don't think that's the problem but it's a good safety net.

Since I sorta' left you dangling on your clear water quest, I'm gonna' chime back in and offer some more steps.

How often do you add the four gallons? Only to bring your Cl up to 20 ppm. Now, (and you have arrived at this point) add enough Cl as often as you can to bring your ppm right back up to 20.

Let's say you put in the 4 gallons tonight and tomorrow morning your FC test at 4ppm (or even zero again). Use Michaels calculator to add enough clorox to bring it right back up to 20ppm...If you tested 4ppm, you'll need 3.2 more gallons to bring it back to 20ppm. Let;s say you come home for lunch and your FC test 10ppm....use the calculator again and you'll find you need 2 gallons to get it back to 20ppm.

Do you get the routine? Test as often as you can and calculate enough Clorox to bring your pool right back to 20ppm.

Here's what will happen....your test will show more and more FC as your pool clears. DON'T STOP!! Keep adding Clorox right back up to 20ppm until: You can hold 20ppm overnight. Once that occurs you will have gotten all the junk from your pool and you can let your Cl return down to about 6ppm.

That's it, Summer, your pool will sparkle and you can go swimming. Disregard the advice I gave you about adding Cl only at night......you have enough CYA in there to hold Cl during the day.

Now let me offer you three rules:

1. Bring your Cl up to 20ppm, test as often as you can, and add enought Cl to bring it back to 20ppm

2. Bring your Cl up to 20ppm, test as often as you can, and add enought Cl to bring it back to 20ppm

2. Bring your Cl up to 20ppm, test as often as you can, and add enought Cl to bring it back to 20ppm

Sorry to be a horse's patoot but It's important to emphasize what you should be doing now. I'll bet you'll be squared away in just a few days if you follow the three rules above! :D :D

Dave S.

Summer,
I have to add something to what Dave said.

Bring your Cl up to 20ppm, test as often as you can, and add enought Cl to bring it back to 20ppm!:D:D

Once it was sorted out that it was just a huge case of chlorine demand this is right on the money!......
you WILL be swimming soon!

THANK YOU SO much!!! :)

Dave, your no "horse's patoot!" I NEED the repitition and reinforcement!
And I'm very "task-oriented" so this is just the kind of instruction I need.
Ok... off to check ebay, bathe the baby, get the kiddos to bed, and THEN (if I haven't completely fallen out), to test the water/test kit.
:D
A mother's work is never done!

Drumroll please...

Ok, the tap water showed trace amounts of chlorine [~<.5 actually], so I got a glass of distilled (we had some on-hand already; my dh keeps a humidor [sp?]).
First I just tested the pool water, as usual:
pH: 7.4-7.6 (7.5?)
FC: <.5 (YAY!!! It's actually showing SOMETHING now...)
TC: >.5 (but less than 1)

Then, pool water to the half-way mark (4.5) + distilled to the fill line...
FC: ZERO
TC: <.5

Then, pool water to the lowest mark (1.8) + distilled water to the fill line...
FC: ZERO
TC: ZERO

So, I guess we're ok.
Plus, the pool is showing even more improvement, so it's definitely doing something, despite the low readings... I'm glad there is FINALLY some pink in the test results!!

Ok, I am DONE. Gonna hit the sack... G'night!

Just an update! My pool is FINALLY starting to hold Chlorine!

This morning's readings:
pH: 7.4
FC: 2-3 ppm
TC: 1.5 ppm
Couldn't be happier! :D