Help! I'm ready to pull my hair out!

[mortimay]

I just checked my numbers (11:00am) after adding the 4 gal of pool shock this morning (9:15am)

Alk 120
Hard the sample turned a dull yellowy color instead of blue
PH 7.8
Cl turned orange
Br turned orange

How often should I be testing and how long after adding chemicals do I test? At what point do I react to the test results?

Thank you for all your help!

[aylad]

I would say for right now, don't worry about all the other numbers, let's just concentrate on getting the pool cleared up. First off, when you say you added "pool shock" this morning, what were the ingredients? Second, here's a link to the method for estimating your chlorine levels with the OTO kit. http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...a-good-testkit)
I wouldn't worry for now about any of the other tests except for chlorine (you don't have bromine in your pool, so ignore that reading altogether). Wait an hour or so after you add chlorine to retest, and make sure you're taking your water sample from under water--take your collection container, turn it upside-down, then push it as far underwater as you can before turning it upright, so you're not getting your sample from the surface. Keep your chlorine as consistently as you can at 12-15 ppm, with the filter running.

I also would recommend that you take a sample of your pool water into the pool store to have it checked for metals--but don't buy any of the stuff that they'll want to sell you, except maybe some metal sequestrant, and only IF the water tests positive for iron/copper.

Janet

[mortimay]

The ingredients listed on the pool shock were 12.5% Sodium Hypochlorite and the rest was just listed as inert ingredients.

[Watermom]

So, the shock is just liquid chlorine. Usually shocks are powder. Regular bleach is just 6% sodium hypochlorite, so your shock is basically strong bleach which will be good to use.

[mortimay]

I just checked my chlorine using the shot glass method. The best I can tell I think the chlorine is at around 12. Should I continue to add bleach even if I show the chlorine at 12 or wait until it drops? It is no longer showing orange in my tests, but a dark yellow.

[mortimay]

I'm still fighting the green. My numbers are PH 8.2 the chlorine turned orange using the shot glass method and diluting it with 3 shots of distilled water. The alkalinity test turned a light blue and then yellow when adding the titrant. I added 6 gallons of 10% sodium hypochlorite about an hour ago. I have no clue what to do. My pool is getting just a bit clearer but I have been battling this for almost 3 weeks. I've seen pools turn around in a matter of days so I'm obviously not doing something right. I guess I need more detailed instructions on chemicals, time-frames, etc.

[Watermom]

How often are you adding chlorine? Don't worry about any other numbers right now except chlorine and pH. Do yourself a favor and order a better test kit -- Taylor K-2006. You can click on the Amazon link in my signature to order it. It will make it SO much easier on you. I just checked and they have 16 in stock from Amato Industries which is the place we recommend. You'll be glad you bought it.

The key to killing algae is to sustain the high cl reading. If you let it yo-yo up and down, it will take forever to clear. Run the pump 24/7 and backwash when the pressure rises 8-10psi over clean filter pressure. Did you take a sample to the pool store and ask them to test for metals? Please do so and while you are there, go ahead and let them run a full set of numbers but don't buy a bunch of stuff that they will try and tell you that you need.

Don't test your pH when you have just added chlorine. It will give you a false reading. Hang in there. We'll stick by and continue to help and encourage you! It'll clear if you are consistent with the chlorine levels.

And again, get a good kit. This wouldn't be so hard if you had one.