Problem with conversion from Baquacil! Please Help!!

[mjones]

O.k. Thanks to all that have been helping so far. Please keep it coming. I haven't used the clorox outdoor yet, I bought it just in case, but I wasn't dare gonna put it in without asking y'all first. Just tested with a cheap drop test kit. As far as I can tell, ph is ok, I think the cl is 30!!!!! I say this because my test kit only measures to 3, so I diluted it like I read on one of the replies. I diluted 10 to 1 & it still looks like 3. Kit doesn't test anything else, but "strips" say alk is between 80-120, hardness is 0-100, total cl is +10, fcl is +10, ph is 7.2-8?? I don't have anything to test cya. What I can't understand is why my cl levels aren't dropping at all. It has been very cloudy & rainy since Wednesday. My water is a light green shade, & very cloudy. I can see the outline of the bottom step, but can't tell that it is a step. The top step looks mostly clear, but has some brownish orange stuff that keeps getting on it. I just bought 12 more gallons of 6% bleach & 2 boxes of borax just in case I needed it. I also bought sand to change the filter out. So, what do I do next? I have been at this for 8 days now. Cl hasn't really dropped at all since Sunday or Monday. I plan to replace sand tomorrow, if that is a good idea?? Waiting on replies before I do ANYTHING else!!!! Thanks!!

[duraleigh]

Hi, M,

Thanks for starting your own thread....this will get you lots of help.

1. I think you need to get a sample to a pool store and get some results....esp CYA and Chlorine.

2. In the meantime, your Cl number is really high. Don't put in any more 'til you can get it tested more accurately. It WILL come down on it's own...don't worry.

3. Do not replace your sand. That may very well be a waste of your time and money. Have you noticed an increase in pressure since you've been cleaning? Have you been backwashing? Are you running the pump 24/7......if not, do so.

4. That orange-brownish stuff is a good sign....I get it in my pool as well when I am filling from my pond.....it means I'm killing stuff. The cloudy part of your water is probably dead algae, too

Okay, the end result of this is I wouldn't have you do anything untill you are able to post back up some good numbers. Even if it takes you a day or two to get back to us, I don't see anything in your numbers that is a real danger sign.

The last thing I would say is you would spend money well to buy Ben's PS234 test kit. You will be on the same page with all of us and it will pay you back over and over.

Post up some numbers and relax.....I have a suspicion your pool may look a little better tomorrow.

[mjones]

Thank You so much!! I really needed to hear something positive. I don't think that my gauge is reading right on my filter, when off it is 30-35, on 50-55, backwashing 40-45. Last year it was about 15 when on & 30 when needed to be backwashed. I have been backwashing atleast twice a day & pump is running 24/7. Will buying Ben's kit keep me from having to take my water to get it tested? The nearest pool store is about 20 miles from here, & closes at 5:30 everyday. I don't get off work until 5 so it is hard for me to get there in time. Plus, the last time that I took off early & drove all that way, they just tested it with the strips, because I watched them do it. They tested it with 2 different kinds because I was wanting it tested for metal. I will get some "real" numbers on here as soon as possible.

[duraleigh]

Order Ben's kit tonight!!. You have to do no driving and, best of all, your results will be very accurate. My kit taught me soooo much about my pool. Don't even bother with a store that uses strips....worthless.

You should replace your guage on your filter. I think they're less than $15.00 and simply screw in with a little teflon tape. It'll help you a lot.

[mjones]

24 hrs later, & cl is still way high, ph & alk is low. Water looks a tiny bit different shade today. Maybe a lighter green with a tinge of blue tint, but still very cloudy. Should I be vacuuming or something? I feel like I am wasting time by not doing anything. All I have done is backwash. If you even go near the pool, you can smell the cl. What have I done wrong?

[duraleigh]

Good morning,

You're giving us mixed messages.

"strips" say alk is between 80-120, hardness is 0-100, total cl is +10, fcl is +10, ph is 7.2-8??

those are ok for pH and Alk.

24 hrs later, & cl is still way high, ph & alk is low.

What do you mean by "high" and "low"? We cannot tell you how to get somewhere (clear water) unless we know where you are. Polish up your test results with some meaningful numbers....go to the pool store that doesn't test with strips if you have to and have your water tested.

Now, the good news......I don't think you've done anything wrong (unless you've tossed something in your pool you didn't tell us about) That smell of chlorine means your chlorine has been working and you need to add more....that's right......MORE! The problem is we can't tell you how much more 'til you give us some valid numbers.

Keep the faith....you're making more progress than you think.

[mjones]

I'm sorry I am not very good at this! My cl is still around 30, according to the diluting thing. I diluted 10x water to 1x pool water & drop test still shows 3. My ph has been really low, 6.2, I think. My alk is 40 this morning. I added a box of borax to skimmer last night & another this morning after I got another low ph. I was told that if I didn't get my ph up, I risk damaging my liner. I will figure out how to get you some real numbers soon. I work for the city, & I think that maybe I can get our Waste Water Treatment Plant to test my water for me. Surely they have a good test kit, til I can get one.

Thanks! I am trying!

[mjones]

Oh yeah! My husband is curious as to whether or not there is a such thing as a "digital" test kit? We aren't good at deciding which # these colors are closer to!

[mjones]

Just got back from the Treatment Plant. This is all they could give me. I hope it will help. Fcl 8.3, total cl 8.9, ph 7.6 . I'm still gonna try to get to another pool store with my water soon. They used a digital test, so there is my answer to last post. No telling what it cost though!!

Thanks
M

[duraleigh]

Just got back from the Treatment Plant. This is all they could give me. I hope it will help. Fcl 8.3, total cl 8.9, ph 7.6 . I'm still gonna try to get to another pool store with my water soon. They used a digital test, so there is my answer to last post. No telling what it cost though!!

Thanks
M

Hi, M,

I think you're on the right track. Order Ben's kit....you'll save that much money in gas the first month you own it.

I think their numbers make sense....pointing out how worthless those test strips are.

So your pH is Ok for now. You Cl is not too bad either but you need to get some more in there. You must figure out how many gallons are in your pool (download mwsmith2's calculator from this forum) and then you need to add enough Clorox to bring your Cl up to around 12ppm. I think you need more than that but I can't tell 'til you post a CYA number on the forum. Post that test up as soon as you can and, soon, your pool will clear miraculously and you will have a big smile on your face.