Pool just opened, awaiting on testing kit, questions on what to do now

[PoolDoc]

Glad I didn't irritate you - I probably shouldn't have said that. (But then, if I was the sort of guy who always said what I was supposed to, I wouldn't be the sort of guy to start PoolSolutions ;-)

Anyhow, Biolab is not on my favorite's list. The old Biolab was arrogant without warrant; the new Biolab is just predatory. But their basic chems are still the same as everyone else's, so they do work.

PoolDoc

[pool1]

PoolDoc,

You were right regarding the pool service company - they seem to be more than forthcoming with information and pretty straight up.
They said at the end of the season CYA reading was down to 18 and they didn't want to bump it until needed in the spring.

Also some good news on my shock treatment. Immediately after I shocked in the evening, TC was 10+, but FC didn't read at all, so I presume the strips are defective in at least this regard. In the morning TC was still at 10+.

The test strip first indicator for CYA is at 50. So tabulating all of this I assume that I do not have a problem with eaten CYA, only some normal pool opening (I guess?) green algae.

Also in the morning the water appeared clearer and lost some of the green tint. So I'll keep up with shocking until the pool is clear.

Thank you,
Vlad

[Watermom]

Also, run your pump 24/7 while you are clearing the water to allow the filter to filter out the dead algae.

[pool1]

Finally got the drop test kit, some sobering results this morning:

FC: 0.2
CC: 3.6
PH: 7.0
TA: 50
CH: 180
CYA: basically the tube was overfilled when the dot was barely visible, if I had to guess around 15...

This is after I added 10 gallons of bleach at the sunset, and added 15 gallons the night before.

I guess I need to proceed with:
1. Borax
2. More bleach

The good news is that I can dedicate this weekend to test and add bleach as needed throughout the day.

Questions:
1. How much borax and the timing.
2. How much bleach and the timing and targets for testing.

Another good part is the the pool visibility is improving greatly, and the sand filter is not getting clogged in 12 hours as before.

Looking forward to your advice and directions!

Thank you!
Vlad

[PoolDoc]

Wow. A user who's teaching himself from day 1. I'm impressed.

Based on your readings, you probably DO have CYA converted to ammonia.

So yes, add borax (20 mule team from Walmart, etc. -- found in the detergent section) 2 boxes at a time SLOWLY to the skimmer with the pump running. Do NOT take out the skimmer basket. Borax can and will 'freeze' solid if you add it too fast, and it's very hard to get out. Add every 2 - 4 hours till your pH reaches 7.6+.

And add chlorine 4 gallons at a time each PM -- once the sun is less direct. Test chlorine in the AM. Continue till your FC is at least 3x your CC reading. Then, begin testing 1-2 hour AFTER you add, and again in the AM. Once your FC reading is more or less constant overnight, and your CC is below 0.2, you are ready to move on to adding CYA and adjusting other factors.

The good news is, once you get your pH is up, the CC that forms from the ammonia will be monochloramine and will kill all the algae remaining, even deep in the cracks and crannies of your plaster. This is precisely the process that products like Yellow OUT and Mustard Master use, though most pool guys don't know it.

Bad news is it may take a LOT of chlorine to get rid of all the ammonia.

But, it's a straight forward process.

PoolDoc

[pool1]

PoolDoc, thank you for your encouragement.

I will try to rephrase your suggestions the way I understand them, please correct me if I'm wrong or confused or both :-)

Phase 1: Adjusting pH with Borax to steer the process of ammonia destruction and take advantage of its byproducts.
1.1. Goal: Increase pH to 7.6
1.2. How much: Add borax 2 boxes
1.3. How often: 2-4 hours between additions until the goal is reached.
1.3 When and what to test: Test for pH in about 2 hrs after each borax addition.
1.4 Tips: Add borax slowly via skimmer WITH basket in place to avoid clumping and freezing in the pipe.

Phase 2: Brute force evening chlorine addition to get rid of ammonia and other organic compounds.
2.1. Goal: Have a morning reading FC >= 3*CC
2.2. How much: Add 4 gallons of 6% bleach
2.3. How often/when: Every 24 hrs in the late afternoon/evening (no direct sunlight) until goal is reached.
2.3 When and what to test: Test for FC and CC next morning.

Phase 3: Taking care of CYA, TA, etc.
3.*. TBD

Questions:
In 1.3 - is 2 hrs OK?
In 2.2 - is 4 gallons OK? It is a little less than 10ppm.
So essentially in phase 2 I will add chlorine only once a day (evening) and test once a day (morning)?

Thank you again, I am getting over my disappointment with the test results. It is what it is (says my real estate agent).

Vlad

[madwil]

Vlad, you seem to have gotten all PoolDocs directions...
You can speed the process a little if you test/add bleach more often, 2-3 times a day, to maintain Cl at your target (3*CC)
Keep your pump running, vacuum/brush walls of pools at least every other day...

Madwil
Note: the mods may add some info, I only jumped in on Ben's advice since he said he was scouting this weekend and so probably won't be online to respond...