Janet / Watermom -

Thanks for the help. After a couple days' work, here are my numbers from this evening...

FC = 9
pH = 7.4
TA = 125

I'm going with the assumption that the pool store CYA of 97 from above is accurate until the Taylor kit arrives and I can retest that. So...

I kept FC at 25 all day yesterday (Monday). There was no FC loss overnight last night, so I allowed it to fall during the day today. Since the pool was not usable anyway, I decided to go after the TA as well, so I added acid to drop the pH to 7.0 and then aerated all day yesterday. The water is crisp and clear, and I'll keep aerating until the pH is around 7.6, and keep ratcheting down the TA over time too.

I have two questions at this point...

1. What is the best approach to maintenance? Since we know the FC will burn off in the sun, do I add excess bleach in the morning, so that when we're ready to use the pool in the evening, FC is around 8? (like most folks here, I can only test early morning and at sundown on weekdays)

2. I guess this is related to #1. I've read elsewhere on here that FC = 10 is pretty much the upper limit to allow swimming, but I need to keep mine at 8. That's a pretty narrow margin. I'll keep trying to lower the CYA by replacing water little by little over time, but if you have any tips on how best to maintain 10 > FC > 8 that would be great.

Thanks again!

Scott