Chlorine magically disappears!!!!

[aylad]

Unless his pH is extremely low, he'd be better off to fix one thing at a time--and he really needs to concentrate on the chlorine demand first. If he needs to add Borax to get the pH above 7.0 then by all means go ahead and add it--but I wouldn't worry about trying to raise the borate level, at least not until he gets the chlorine demand taken care of. If he closed the pool green, there's a really good chance that some or all of his CYA was converted to ammonia during the winter, and that can create a HUGE chlorine demand (and sometimes for a really long time)that must be overcome before he's going to be able to get a clear pool. He's going to need to get the chlorine up to shock level (see the "best guess chart in my sig for proper levels, based on his current CYA number) and keep it there until he's able to hold chlorine in the pool. That can take lots and lots of chlorine and time, but he'll need to accomplish it to have any good swim time this summer.

Janet

[scootchu]

You folks are absolutely right.
His pH was very low, 6.8 or so. I figured the Borax wouldn't do any harm.
I am afraid he is going to get frustrated and stop believing me and head for the Pool People and armloads of crap.
I saw pH minus, Alk increaser, conditioner, and so on in his shed. They sold it to him once, they'll do it again.
BUT it is his pool and I cannot be there 24/7 monitoring it, brushing it, vacuuming it and most importantly dosing chlorine and it looks like he will need A LOT from you have told me.

You know how it goes right?

[aylad]

Yup, we know how it goes. He's just going to have to decide to trust you OR the pool people who are draining hiis wallet, because doing both won't work. But after all, it's his pool, and at least you can say you tried. Maybe he'll take your pool as an example??

Janet

[scootchu]

Yep, he stopped by and saw our pool and I said "this is what it's supposed to look like" LOL
It's his pool and he has to learn or be fleeced by someone behind a counter that may take advantage of him.

[aylad]

Hopefully he'll come around soon. It's very frustrating to try to help somebody that resists you!

Janet

[BigDave]

The resistance is understandable. This pool owner is frustrated, has has a problem he doesn't understand and can't see a way to fix it. He's getting advice from the Pools Store (people who do this for a living) and from you (a friend with a clean pool) - it's very hard for most of us to doubt established authority especially when we're feeling unsure and vulnerable.
Your friend needs a reason to believe that this method (BBB) will get him to his goal. Perhaps suggesting that he read some of this forum (especially here "Dealing with Algae") would help him gain confidence.
I would also avoid attacking the pool store or the "remedies" they sold him as he likely has some personal/emotional investment in the idea that these "remedies" will help. In this case, attacking the Pools Store would be seen as an attack on him and we all defend ourselves when we feel attacked.

This is as grown-up as I get. Good luck and thanks for helping your friend.

[scootchu]

I was very careful about not insulting his purchases. I did however walk out of his shed with a couple of buckets for my tomato plants!!! LOL

I myself think he will give up and talked about draining and refilling the pool. It's sad that people don't want to learn or feel they cannot learn. You guys have helped me many a time when things got out of control.