Update on our big problem

[Gretchen]

Several weeks I posted about our continuing algae problem. By the time I posted I had thoroughly read the other forum posts and we decided our problem was caused by our high CYA numbers, which meant we had to hold our chlorine level at 25 or above until the problem cleared. We made the decision to do a partial drain and had a perfect clear pool within 3 days.

About a month has passed and we continue to have a perfect pool. We use relatively little bleach. After a heavy rainstorm that dropped between 3 and 4 inches I found our Ph was way up. I ran the numbers through the pool calculator app I download for my iPhone and it told me I needed a gallon of muriatic acid as well as a couple of containers of bleach. One trip to TSC later and we were in business - perfect numbers again.

Friday we had our pool filled with some of my HS band members for their annual pool party. One of the kids told me it was the first time she'd ever gotten out of a pool and hadn't felt like crawling immediately to a shower. I realized she was right. The water is very clear, light and sparkling. We always thought we had great clarity until this year. NOW we have great clarity! After swimming you don't feel like you have chemical residue on your skin like we did tri-chlor and all the other pool store stuff.

If you've had a problem and are resisting doing a partial drain to fix your CYA, stop resisting! Jump in and just do it. It scared the daylights out of us and we're not looking forward to that water bill, but it can't be more than I was paying out each visit to the pool store! I'd do it again in a heartbeat but hopefully there will be no need. It was the first good decision we'd made regarding our pool in 10 years. The level of knowledge here is outstanding - these people know far, far more than our (former) pool guy ever did. A big thanks from us to all of them!

[Watermom]

Gretchen,
Thanks for the follow-up and the testimonial. Hopefully, if there is someone out there who has high CYA but is reluctant to do that partial drain and refill, they will read of your success and just do it!

Also, thanks for becoming a subscriber and supporting the forum! Enjoy the rest of the summer!

[aylad]

Just wanted to add my congratulations for doing your homework and a job well done on your pool, and thanks a bunch for the update. We LOVE to hear the success stories!!

Happy swimming!!

Janet

[waste]

Gretchen, we LOVE the updates and testimonials

Thank you for the keeping us informed as to the condition of your pool and helping 'spread the word'!

I am SO happy that your pool is ~perfect from following the advice proffered here (and there)!

You've become enabled to properly care for your pool and i salute you!

[CarlD]

I kept waiting and waiting for the other shoe to drop...and it didn't!

Thanks, Gretchen!