opening our pool, could use some help

[grayspinner]

I think we have a good combo of filter/pump - I checked that awhile back and it was good though I do not remember the type we have. I'll check in the morning and post.

We have been going at the bottom with the leaf net - we'll just continue on that till we get it all. I don't mind the liner fading - we'd rather not drain and refill.

When we got the test kit, I read about how to shock your pool you need to put in enough chlorine to bring your FC levels to 10 times the CC levels. The CC was 5.6, so we got the FC to 56. Then we waited 2 days and tested again. This time the CC was 3.0, so we got the FC to 30ppm - it's been 2 days since then. We continue to brush the sides and rake the bottom and vacuum.

So I should test and add chlorine more often? I have 1/2 a bottle of 65% chlorine granuals left that I'd like to use before going to bleach - that isn't stablized chlorine is it?

[aylad]

Wow, 56 is a really high chlorine level, even with that high a CYA level. With chlorine levels like that you are very likely to bleach your liner. Check out the "best guess" table in my sig, and you'll see the guideline that we use, very successfully, around this forum.

You do need to be testing your water daily, and adding enough chlorine to get back up to shock level, although I doubt with the levels that you're reaching that you 've ever come down below adequate shock levels, which would be 20 based on your CYA. If your chlorine granules are cal-hypo, then they'll be fine to use up.

Janet

[grayspinner]

Thank you all for your help.

The water is now blue, but not clear. You can see about half way down.

Right now the free chlorine has been right around 20ppm the past 36 hours. Our ph is still a bit low - right about 6.9-7.0 We will be vacuuming it again later today. We keep adding about 2 cups of borax each day and it is still low.

My question now is should I use some of that 'clean and sweep' stuff that I have. It is supposed to bind everything and drop it to the bottom so it can be vacuumed up. And if I do use it, should we vacuum first and then use it and vacuum again or just use it and vacuum once?

And last time I checked my alkalinity was nearly nothing (see first post) - is this why my ph is staying low? Should I add some baking soda to get it up & if so how much?

Now that the water is not green, should I let the chlorine drop? Do I just unplug my salt water generator for a while and have it naturally evaporate? Or should I add something to bring the chlorine down? My kids are anxious to swim.

[aylad]

The real test to see if it's time to let your chlorine drop is to test after the sun is off the pool, and again in the morning before the sun is on the pool--if you don't lose any chlorine in that time, then you can let the chlorine drop--but in your case, do NOT let it drop below 5, and I would keep it closer to 7 or 8 ppm. One day in the sun will probably accomplish this. You do still need to be working on your pH, though--anything below 7.0 is acidic and can do damage to your liner. I think the reason you're having trouble getting it to move is not due to the alk, but rather that it was far lower than you thought, and it's just taking a lot of Borax to bring it up. If you want, you can use Washing Soda to bring up both TA and alk at the same time. Or, if you already have them, continue with the Borax for pH and you can add baking soda to bring up the TA.

I would not use the "clean and sweep" stuff that you have, if the water is clearing. You'd be better off to just be patient and let the filter do its job. Remember that the chlorine killed the algae, but the filter is what's going to get it out of the water. The floc that you have might or might not speed up that process, but it may also cause you other problems, too. I would just let the filter get it. If the algae is dead, and the chlorine drops a little, the only real danger with swimming in cloudy water is not being able to see somebody underwater in the deep end if they get into trouble--so make sure if they swim before it's completely clear, that you keep a really good eye on anybody in the water.

Janet

[grayspinner]

Thank you - That is what I thought about the clarifier. We will just keep brushing the sides & vacuuming till it clears up. It already looks worlds better than it did when I started this thread 4 days ago.

I'll pick up some more borax and just keep adding it. For 12,000 gallons and a ph of right about 6.9-7.0 - how much is a good amount to add? I can test again in 4 hours and add more right?

What is the dosage on the baking soda too? I don't want to end up with too much TA.

[aylad]

For the pH, I don't know how much it's going to take, but you can add 2-3 cups at a time (I'm assuming it's going into the skimmer) and give it 3-4 hours to circulate, and then you can certainly add more. Some people say you can estimate how much it will take by taking a sample of your pool water (maybe 3 gallons in your case?) and adding borax to that until you get to your target ph--and based on how much it takes to do that, you can multiply it out to get an idea of what it will take in your pool.

I think you need to verify that TA is indeed zero before you start adding a lot of baking soda. Also, adding a lot at one time will contribute to your cloudiness problems, so go slowly with that like you do with the Borax. I'm thinking you're going to need somewhere around 10 pounds or so to get your alk up to 60 ppm, but please verify that starting zero first!!

As with all other things, go slow, add little amounts at a time, and sneak up on your target--don't over shoot it. Patience is the key!!

Janet