Opening Pool Questions and Levels

[jrsdws]

In frustration I dumped 20 jugs of bleach in shortly before dark. I let it circulate for an hour and tested.

FC = 39
TC = 43

We'll see how much is left in the morning.

If it's all gone, is it ok to switch to cal-hypo to get the shocking done?

[jrsdws]

Morning readings:

FC = 25
TC = 28

Time to go by another store...or two...out of bleach.

[madwil]

with your TA and CH so high, I would not use anything but bleach for CL... anything else will just add more crud you don't need...
for pH, it will slowly increase due to aeration, so just don't let it get to high- let it get to 7.6 or 7.8, then adjust back down with MA...
with your CYA level, if you shoot for FC 15, you should be good; I wouldn't go above about 20 to much, because that will just increase the amount of loss to other factors without kiling algae; keep it at 15-20 as consistently as you can, especially overnight when it will do most good!
Once you maintain FC overnight with <1 loss, and your CC stays <.5, you can go to normal FC levels of 3-6 (I usually stay on the high side, when it reaches 4-5 I add to 8)...

[jrsdws]

I think I'm getting on the right side of the fight now. Pool is far less dark...a lighter green now...and not as much scum in it.

I'm losing some chlorine since morning, of course, sunlight and algae.

FC = 18.5
TC = 21.5

[jrsdws]

UPDATE: Water is slowly cleaning up I think. FC has dipped a bit today but I'm still in the zone.

FC = 13
TC = 15.5
pH = 7.2

Going to try to keep FC closer to 15 for the next few days.

[madwil]

that's the plan- maintain your FC as consistently as you can, and it will take care of your problem
Keep it at that level until an overnight drop in FC is <1, and your CC (TC-FC) is <.5

[CarlD]

With your FC at that level, don't try to adjust your pH as long as it's reading the way it is. There are two reasons:
1) Measuring pH at FC levels of 15 with a CYA of 40 is highly inaccurate.
2) Chlorine is generally more effective at lower pH than at higher pH.

IOW, keep on doing what you are doing, run your pump 24/7, test and adjust FC 2 to 3 times a day, vacuum to waste everyday. Brush the walls and bottom every day to knock algae loose.

Carl

[jrsdws]

Yep...staying the course!!! Tonight I'm able to see about 18" down the sidewall so we are burning out the algae.

I just ordered more DPD Powder and the FAS/DPD Chlorine Test reagent from the site so I can keep up with it.

I'm hoping we'll be able to see bottom this weekend so I can start working on the next problem.

It looks like we have warm, sunny weather coming next week so it'd be nice to be able to put the solar cover on and get the water warmed up!!