New to BBB, what next?

[gdubs]

I added the stabilizer directly into the skimmer box. It was still reading 55 but I will wait a week. The water is no cloudy but I can seee the bottom! Almost there...

[aylad]

Keep your chlorine up and your filter running. Watch your filter pressure, because it will rise as the dead algae starts to filter out. Unfortunately, when you backwash your filter you will wash out the remainder of the CYA you added, so don't backwash it til you have to, and I wouldn't test for CYA again until you do, so you'll know where your starting point it when you add more.

Janet

[gdubs]

Ok. Test results today: Cl 10, Ph is 6.6 or maybe lower (test kit didnt go that low), Al 70 and CYA is 20. We got a ton of rain this week and I have been rinsing the filters due to all of the dead algae. Should I still wait for the cholrine to drop to add stabilizer? When should I add soda ash for my Ph? Al? Please help.

Thanks again!

[PoolDoc]

If you haven't added any stabilizer, go ahead.

Also, add a box of borax a day, till your pH is above 7. (Low readings of pH, with highish chlorine are more likely to be right than high ones.)

Ben

[Watermom]

FYI -- the reason Ben suggested you use Borax to raise pH instead of soda ash is that soda ash affects pH and alk whereas, Borax will mostly affect pH and your alk is fine where it is.

[gdubs]

Thanks! I added a box of borax and 40oz of stabilizer. Tested the Ph and it didn't move (still below the testing kit colors) from 6.6 or lower. Can I add more Borax or should I wait till the morning?

[aylad]

I would wait until there's been about 4 hours since your last Borax addition. Retest for pH, and if it's still less than 7.0, add another box, slowly. Looks like your pH is much lower than what the test can register, so it can take quite a few boxes of Borax to get back where you need to be.


Janet