Just pulled cover off.. green swamp water

[Watermom]

Probably dead algae. Don't quit the fight just yet. Keep adding the big doses of chlorine as Ben said and keep filtering. Sounds like you are making progress.

[slade8200]

The water's been clear for 6 or 7 days now. My cyanuric acid level is still 0. Should I add stabilizer to correct this or does it not matter since the water is staying clean? I keep 2 HTH dual action chlorinating tablets in the skimmer and the chlorine level seems to stay at the right level.

[PoolDoc]

Watch out for the dual action tabs!

What are they? Tri-chlor plus borax?

Argh-h, no! I found the MSDS. Check and see, but it looks like they are trichlor + copper + alum. What a witch's brew!

#1 - Yes, you need to add stabilizer.
#2 - Do NOT get any more multi-action chemicals. (If you have a lot of those tabs, we need to know, and work out a plan to use them up without causing pool problems!!)
#3 - You need a REAL testkit. You don't have to use it all the time, but while we're getting things fixed you need it, and occasionally after that.

I'm glad that the pool is clear now . . . but that is only a TEMPORARY condition unless you get all the basics of pool chemistry under control. And it is far, far easier to do it right, than it is to fix it once it goes wrong.

So, hurry!

[Watermom]

The one we recommend is the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C (same kit, larger bottle of some reagents). If you buy it through the Amazon link in my signature (or Ben's above), the Pool Forum makes a little money on the sale which helps us keep this form online. Only buy if the seller is Amato Industries, however. Some other sellers are substituting the K-2005 which you do NOT want.

[slade8200]

I bought that K-2006 kit from your link, I'll post results tomorrow.

[slade8200]

Been away for awhile. Pool is still doing well. Bought some stabilizer and got the cyanuric acid level to 40. pH is steady at 7.5, alkalinity at 80. I notice that I have to add bleach every 3 to 4 days to keep the chlorine level at 1-4 ppm, is this normal? Also, with that kit, what size of spoonful are you supposed to use for the R-0870? The video they have shows a huge heaping spoonful, but I have just been filling the little scoop to the top and nothing more.

[Watermom]

Being able to go 3 to 4 days is pretty good except that with CYA of 40 your chlorine needs to be kept at 3-6 all the time so yours is getting too low. PH and alk are both fine.

You only need enough powder to turn the water pink. If one scoop does it, don't bother adding the second one. Don't waste it.

[slade8200]

Should I increase my cyanuric acid level, and if so, to what amount?

[aylad]

You CAN bump it up a little, maybe to 50 or so, but keep in mind that if you do, you're going to have to be diligent about keeping your chlorine level above 3 ppm, and closer to the 6 ppm mark.

[slade8200]

If my stabilizer level was at 50, why is it important to not let the chlorine get below 3?