New to the forum and in need of assistance

[tideman]

I was able to get my chlorine level to hold steady between 25-30, and the CC was at 0.5 or lower. The pool looks better than at anytime in the past two years, thanks. Just as the chlorine levels were testing the same in the morning/evening, I ran out of R-0871. I ordered more from SPS, but after two weeks of waiting I finally called them only to be informed my order was still being processed. Needless to say I wasn't pleased with that response. While their prices are good and their site is user friendly, I'm disappointed in their service. In moving on, and assuming it will be another week or two before receipt, I see no other option but to keep adding reduced amounts of bleach for the time being, unless there is another method of testing FC and CC. I do have a couple of test kits on hand that came with the pool, but the CL level only goes to 5.

I ran other tests this morning as follows:

PH - 7.4
TA - 140
CH - 330
CYA - 150

We still have a few weeks left to swim as the temps are remain in the 90s. Since the pool is now clear, I guess my first concern is how to address/lower the CYA. Should I place pucks back in my chlorinator at some point?

Also, once I have the ability to test the FC & CC again, as recommended previously, I will maintain the chlorine in the 10-12 range for the remainder of the swim season and drop it to around 5 or 6 for this off season. Is this correct?

I might add that although we are on water restrictions, we had significant rain last week at which time I had to drain 7-8 inches of water.

Thanks again,
Jim

[aylad]

Hi!!

First off, I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems with SPS--I've ordered from them lots of times and have never had any issues with them. Hopefully they can get your problem resolved and some reagents to you quick.

Here's a link for how to force your test kit to measure higher chlorine levels through dilution: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=10073
It isn't strictly accurate, but it will give you a pretty good ballpark range, and it's much better than guessing. You're right to maintain your chlorine in the 10-12 rainge, but it's not just for the rest of the swim season--you're going to have to maintain it that high until you drop your CYA levels if you want to stay algae-free. Unfortunately, there are only two ways I know to drop the CYA--one is drain and refill water, and the other is to let the pool go into a green swampy mess during the winter, and the bacteria will dissolve the CYA into byproducts such as ammonia, that take HUGE amounts of chlorine to overcome once you open the pool again. (I obviously don't recommend that route! ).

Since you are in south Texas, I'm assuming that you won't close your pool this winter? If not, if you were to frequently backwash and refill gradually over the wintertime, coupled with rainwater, etc, you might be able to lower the CYA gradually enough so that it would be more manageable by next winter. You absolutely do NOT want to add pucks back to the chlorinator, because they drive your CYA upward, and yours is on the verge of being so high that even elevated chlorine levels can't compensate. You'll do better to stick with plain, unscented bleach or liquid chlorine for your chlorine source. Or--for more effortless maintenance, you might want to consider adding a salt water chlorine generator!!

Janet

[tideman]

I still can't get my CYA right; remains around 150; guess I will have to drain some of the water. When my pool was installed, the contractor informed me that fiberglass pools could not be completely drained. If true, what percentage can I safely drain?

Thanks in advance.

Jim

[aylad]

I don't know how I missed this post-- I'm sorry!! This should bump it to the top, though. If your CYA is really 150, the only way your pool is going to be manageable is to drain/refill water. I definitely would not drain it att at one time because if your water table is high, it can "float" the pool. Rather, if possible, I would do two 50% drains, which should drop it down to a much more manageable level.

Janet

[tideman]

Finally, getting ready to drain the my pool to stabalize the CYA and have decided to buy a submersible sump pump rather than rent one. Would appreciate it if anyone has a recommendation for a decent pump, keeping in mind that I will likely only use it a few times. Talked with a couple of folks that purchased from hardware stores; both stated the pumps were just okay at best.

Thanks,

Jim

[aylad]

No advice on the pump, but just wanted to caution you that when you start draining, don't let the shallow end drain all the way, make sure that you still have at least 3-4 feet of water in the shallow when you stop draining. You might call one of your local guys that install liners to ask about the water tables in your specific part of the country.

Janet