Pool Questions

[skizz0tt]

Over the summer my pump motor broke, which I replaced with a A.O. Smith ST1152. I have a C4000 Hayward filter system. I just received 4 new cartridges today (the cartridges in the unit are 10+ years old). I also have a Baracuda G3.

Because the pump motor broke I let the pool 'go.' I've been in the process of cleaning it up, but because my cartridges were so old & a leaking & broken pressure valve on the c4000 was messing up the overall filter pressure, it has been a lackluster process.

I've switched over to liquid bleach as my primary chlorination method. I've also ordered a Taylor K2006, it should be here on Thursday.

My question is this: Should I empty my pool & start over with my new cartridges? If I do that, what chemicals do I need to add to the 'new' water? Is the water I have salvageable? If it is, how would I find that out?

Pool Info:

Pool size = 20k gallons (I think)
Filter = Cartridge
Type = IG (plaster)

Thanks in advance!

-Scott

[aylad]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!!

Most pool water is salvageable, if you're willing to put in a little time and a lot of bleach. First thing I would do is to net out as much stuff as possible from the bottom, then run a full set of test numbers with your kit. Then put enough bleach in to get your chlorine up to 12-15 ppm and try to hold it there by adding more bleach 2-3 times daily. Brush the pool daily, keep the pump/filter running 24/7 and clean the carts as your pressure indicates. After you get the mess cleaned up, then we can help you tweak the other numbers.

Janet

[skizz0tt]

Okay. I went to the pool store and had them analyze my water:

Results:

FAC 0
TAC 0
CH 180
CYA 60
TA 90
pH 8
Acid 3
Pho 300

I installed my new cartridges, added 14.2 gallons of clorox (10 182oz bottles) to shock. I've been running the filter since. The pool store said I needed to add phosfree & muriatic acid & chlorine.

Do I need to add phosfree or muriatic acid?

[PoolDoc]

You may add muriatic acid if you like. Try 1 quart at time, poured directly into the pool near a return, preferably in the deep end. Wear gloves, glasses, and watch out for the fumes. Wait a day, before adding more.

DO add bleach, 4 gallons per evening, till your pool is clear OR till your chlorine level is HIGH in the AM (orange on an OTO tester). Do NOT let it get to zero again

Do NOT add anything else.

Ben

[Watermom]

In a 20K gallon pool, 14 gallons would raise your chlorine by 42ppm! Is your pool still green??

[skizz0tt]

I ran some numbers... I think it may be closer to a 25-30k gallon pool. Still, it's looking much better. The new filters made all the difference. It's not the first time I've put 14+ gallons of bleach in the pool to watch the magical transformation!

Here are pics:

http://i.imgur.com/Z5R1z.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PT3nl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Z7VsG.jpg