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

[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.

[mortimay]

I had my water tested at a local pool store:

FC 4.5
TC 5.2
pH 7.6
Alk 155
Stab 21

I forgot to have them run the metals test. I'll have to go back later today. I've been adding chlorine once a day. Last time I added was last night.

[Watermom]

It would be better to add chlorine more often while you are attempting to clear it up. At least morning and night and more often if you can.