eric

[ericorlisa]

we've been using the pucks for 2-3 weeks and have shocked twice when clorine was below .6ppm.what is a stabilizer? what kind should i get. i ordered the cheaper test kit you recommended i think it was $53. it will probably be next week sometime b4 i get to use it and i will post my readings at that time.

[Watermom]

Stabilizer is kind of like 'sunscreen for your chlorine.' Without it, your chlorine will disappear fast especially on a hot, sunny day. Sometimes it is called conditioner. The real name is cyanuric (or isocyanuric) acid. You may have to buy it from a pool store (don't let them talk you into anything else!) or sometimes you can find it at Walmart, Lowe's or Home Depot. Buy a 5 lb. container. Don't add any until you get your CYA level tested. The pucks and possibly the shock you've added may have already added some stabilizer so we need to know the cya level before advising you how much additional to add. This is something you don't want more of than you need in your pool! What was the ingredient on the bag of shock that you added? Good decision to get the good kit. Hopefully you'll get it quick!

[ericorlisa]

the shock is aqua chem: 58.2% sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione and other ingredients 41.8%. 1" chlorinating tabs also is aqua chem: 99% trichloro-s-triazinetrione and other ingredients 1% and of course you know the ingredients of the half box of borax. that's pretty much it so far.

[Watermom]

Ok. The shock is dichlor and the tabs are trichlor, both of which are stabilized which means they add CYA along with the chlorine. As soon as you get your test kit, run a full set of numbers for us to look at. Once we know the CYA reading, we can better advise you on how high to keep the chlorine. If you happen to have a reputable pool store near you, you could ask them to test it for you, but don't buy any stuff they try and sell you. Otherwise, just wait til you get your kit.

[ericorlisa]

my son checked the water yesterday cl 1.5 ppm and ph 76-7.8. this morning no cl and ph 7.6-7.8. appears to have debris in water. not sure if all bugs or if its agae. i poured 48oz of bleach and 1 lb. shock. what do i do next? i got some black agaecide from family leisure. should i add this or wait?

[ericorlisa]

turns out my son cut grass with the riding lawnmower close to the pool which explains the debris in water. how long should i wait before taking a cya reading?

[CarlD]

At least till you calm down enough not to strangle him!
LOL!
(I have a teenage son...)

Carl

[Watermom]

When was the last time you either added CYA or used a form of stabilized chlorine (dichlor or trichlor)?