cloudy water

Alright, I tested again this evening with my taylor kit. I guess my walmart kit was pretty spot on this morning. I just don't understand how the pH went from 7.3 to 8.0 by using 1 four pound box of borax? I checked twice to make sure I wasn't making some sort of mistake (pretty impossible to do that anyway). I'm really glad that I decided to only add that first box to see how it would affect it before adding the second box.

So awhile ago the numbers were:

FC - 1
CC - 0.5
pH - 8.0
Alk - 100
CYA - Didn't even bother wasting a test.

I understand that most here recommend to run high pH levels regardless of what pools stores and Pool SOP's say but with it being at 8.0 should I adjust it down slightly to like 7.8? I also vacuumed to waste this evening and kind of took my time doing it which caused approximately 5 inches of water loss. It took right at 2 hours to get it back to proper levels so perhaps that might have knocked the pH down a tad by me adding all that water back??

While at Leslies pool supply I picked up 8 pounds of conditioner (says 99% cyanuric acid and 1% other ingredients) per WaterMoms instructions I was going to add 5-6lbs of it and see where that takes the CYA to. Actually I think I might go with 4 lbs starting out to be safe. From reading here, just add straight into the skimmer and then don't backwash for 4 of 5 days so it will dissolve in the filter. Then do a CYA test and see where the pool is at. It is almost completely clear now but the deep end is still slightly hazy but still viewable on the bottom..

Anyone see any problems with this plan?? Also I will still add a one or two bottles of 1.42 gallon bleach every evening.

And that brings me to my last question…I actually have a lot more of these expensive tricolor 3" tablets than I thought. I understand they increase CYA so If I get my CYA to the proper level range, its probably best that I do not use these anymore right? If thats the case I've got a co-worker who swears by them and says its just about the only chemical he uses and says he goes through at least four 50lb buckets a year. I told him that I may sell him the rest of my bucket for a cheap price which is actually a 50lb bucket thats over 3/4 full. I thought it was a 25lb bucket and maybe I should keep 10 or so as a last resort like if I go vacation? I technically wouldn't need them anymore right? I wouldn't mind maybe making half of my money back on them.

Hi Zac;

My Hi pH page on PoolSolutions, basically says that you shouldn't fight your pH more than you have to, and that higher pH levels aren't necessarily a disaster. It does not say, "Thou shalt run a high pH", but it seems sometimes to be taken that way. Right now, you should try to stay between 7 and 8.

Also, people tend to think all the test values are independent of each other. This too is not quite correct. Especially when you are cleaning up a swamp, all sort of things are going on that push the pH first one way, and then the other. If you had a chart with accurate test results and dosing actions listed every 4 hours, I might could tell you why your pH jumped, or maybe Chem_Geek could . . . but it's hardly worth it.

Here's a simple fact: even when you follow the BBB method -- and used the fewest and simplest chemicals possible -- a pool's chemistry is MUCH too complex to fully model or comprehend. An analytical model of nothing more than the relationship between chlorine and stabilizer requires 14 equations -- and there are many relationships in pools besides that one. If you are working on a graduate degree in analytical chemistry, then it might be worthwhile to try to establish a comprehensive model of what's happening in your pool.

But, if you just want to enjoy your pool -- or at least, not work yourself to death on it -- it would probably better just do respond to what's going on in your pool in the most direct and simplest method possible, and not worry too much about why it's happening that way.

Regarding your trichlor . . . given that you have a high pH and a low CYA, I think this would be a good opportunity to use some of those tablets optimally: they will both chlorinate your pool, add CYA, and lower the pH, and you need all three functions! Unlike the trichlor, the granular CYA will keep indefinitely..