How much bleach?

[CarlD]

Your numbers are FINE!

Little Intex donuts can be a lot of fun--We had a 15' for 3 years.

Now you can start using bleach to chlorinate your pool, which is really, really cheap and effective.

One quart of regular 6% bleach will add almost 9ppm of chlorine to your pool. I suggest before you leave you add that quart to raise it near-shock level, cover it (the Intexes usually come with a cover) and don't worry!

One pint of bleach will add 4.4ppm of chlorine to your pool. The Di-Chlor has done its job. You have a nice CYA level, your pH is good, and the bleach won't affect either. Plus you can get it anywhere!

[drako4]

Will it matter if my filter is running or not?

[aylad]

I would make sure and run it for at least 2 hours after your bleach addition, and then you can shut it off it you want to, especially if you're covering it. If it's only for a couple of days, then you shouldn't have any problem at all--and even if you do, the fix is pretty easy!

Janet

[CarlD]

I had an inexpensive plug-in outdoor timer I used on my Intex. I think it was about $40 or $50 and it hung on the wall next to the outdoor outlet, designed for outdoors. I'd run the pool 8-10 hours/day.

[aylad]

My friends down the street have the same type of timer on theirs, but their pool is under a big oak tree with lots of big leaves that clog the skimmer. Running the pool while you're home is obviously a necessity, but while you're gone, you'll have to make the decision as to whether you can safely run it without plugging up the skimmer with leaves, etc. or not. As I mentioned in my post above, if it's too risky, then it would be okay for a couple of days without running. If it's not a danger, then by all means run it via timer!

Janet

[drako4]

Hi,

I am back!! This afternoon we returned home to a very clear pool! YEAH!!!!!
Here are my numbers:

PH 7.4 -7.5 Very close
FC 8.5
CC 0.5
TA 130

I did as was recommended and added 1 gallon of bleach and let the filter run for 3 hours prior to leaving and then covered.

Do I need to do anything at this point to bring down my FC and CC? Not sure how to do that...

Thank you again for the advise. I am so glad I found this great group of people. I honestly did not think of the pool one time while away. I just had enough faith in what I have been told thus far and I will continue to swear by the BBB method!

By the way... I love my test kit. I feel like it is so accurate and takes away all of the GUESS work

Carrie

[Watermom]

The FC will come down on its own. If someone has a CC level above 0.5, we recommend shocking the pool. If it is 0.5 or below, you are ok ------ although, if you want to shock the pool to get the CC down to 0 that is fine, too. Glad it was clear when you got home!