New (very grateful) user/question re: bleach addition

[Texas247]

Hi! First, thank you so much for this forum! I've gone from a person who only knew how to swim in a pool to someone who feels more confident in caring for one My family and I closed on a new house 2 weeks ago, and when we walked into the backyard, the swimming pool looked like raw sewage (even had a couple of dead birds floating in it!). Needless to say, we were completely disheartened...until I found this website. Now after 2 weeks of cleaning (and cleaning and cleaning) and shocking and adjusting alkalinity/pH, it's actually pretty clean and I can see the bottom (when we closed you couldn't even see the top step). I've become a firm believer in the BBB method, and now I would like a little advice regarding my numbers:

FC: 0.5 ppm
TC: 0.5 ppm
CC: 0.0 ppm
pH: 7.5
CH: 200 ppm
TA: 90 ppm
CYA: 85 ppm
No metals detected

My pool is approximately 16' x 35' inground with a vinyl liner and is 3' to 8' deep. The pump is a Hayward 1.0 hp and the filter is a Nautilus DE filter (the label is worn on it so I'm not sure of the actual size but I can read the worn part that says it requires 7 lbs of DE). It's running now at a consistent 14 psi after we cleaned the grids and replaced the DE, have replaced filter baskets in the skimmer and pump basket, and vacuumed out about a bajillion pounds of sediment/leaves to waste (and then had to replace it - my poor water bill ). The water is pretty clear and I can see the bottom of the deep end, but it's still a little cloudy. I need to add more chlorine, and the alkalinity is a little low. Which one do I address first? Also, how many gallons of 6% bleach should I add to bring the levels up correctly?

[AnnaK]

You want to address chlorine first. Your TA is actually within range and, if your pH is holding steady without wild fluctuations, you don't need to do anything with the TA.

Take a look at Ben's Best Guess Chlorine Chart. It tells us that at CYA=85 you want a minimum FC = 5 ppm. You should try to get the CYA down a little because the higher it is, the more chlorine you'll need. Your value is really at the upper limit of manageable.

It would be better if you can get it down to 50. You can do that by replacing water - a partial drain and refill works but so does gradual replacement of water lost from splashout and backwashing. Don't use trichlor pucks (if you were in the habit of using them). Go with just bleach.

As to how much bleach, take a look at the Pool Calculator. Input your pool's approximate volume, your current FC, your target FC, and the type of bleach you use, and it will tell you the amount to add to achieve your target.

Welcome to the Pool Forum, your gateway to "Five Minutes A Day" pool maintenance. You did a good job cleaning up what sounds like a cesspit. What method do you use for testing the water?

[Texas247]

Thank you so much AnnaK! While I'm waiting on my Taylor kit to come in I've relied on the HTH test kit (not strips) from WalMart and comparing those results with 'professional' tests at the pool store. They have the funniest confused look on their faces when I tell them I'm using the BBB method , but they have learned not to pressure me to buy their chemicals. I only buy equipment at the pool store now, but they still test my water for me and tell me to "do whatever that method calls for." Thanks again for all your information; Southeast Texas gets a little warm this time of year and I'm ready to JUMP IN!!!

[AnnaK]

The HTH kit will do you until the Taylor arrives and it's useful that you're checking your values against the pool store's tests. Once you get the Taylor and use it daily you'll become confident with the results and will trust them more than the pool store's.

You go right ahead and jump in your pool! Your numbers are good, raise the FC some, keep the filter going, have fun.

[CarlD]

Actually, if you're still cleaning the pool you want to shock the water up to 20ppm. You'll have to make do with what you have but it's do-able. I estimate your pool to be 23,100 gallons... It could be 20k, or 25k, but this is good enough. 8 gallons of 6% bleach should bring your FC to around 20 or 21. You can use the CarlD Shot Glass dilution method but you'll need 3 shots of distilled water for 1 shot of pool water to see a chlorine level of 20 (assuming your kit goes to 5).

Or you can look for the OTO test to go deep yellow, but not orange.

Unfortunately, the 8 gallons are the FIRST time. You'll need to test and boost your chlorine back to 20 till your water can sustain it...

Once it's completely clear, then you can go into the maintenance level AnnaK is talking about.

Carl

[Texas247]

CarlD, what do you mean by "still cleaning"? There is a little bit of cloudyness to the water, but as far as sediment and leaves I'm all done vacuuming and scrubbing (Thank God!). Everything is clear to the bottom of the deep end, but as I said, a little cloudy. To be perfectly honest, the liner is completely bleached out (we knew this before we purchased the house and plan to replace this next year), but there is nothing left as far as deposits of sediment and/or dirt. Should I still bring it to shock levels or just work on raising it to maintenance levels? My plan was to just add nearly (according to the Pool Calculator) 3 gallons of 6% bleach tonight, measure after running it for a couple of hours, and then rechecking for loss in the morning. Should I add more?