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

[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?

[madwil]

normally, shocking/cleaning is supposed to go on until 3 things all happen
1- loss of FC overnight is <1
2- CC is <.5
3- water is clear

If you meet 1 and 2, probably you can get away without more shocking and let the filter clear up the cloudiness, but no guarantees.
but to meet 1, you need to at least add the 3 gallons you were planning, test the FC after an hour with pump running, and test again in morning before sun affects the pool (earlier is better, sometime around sunrise or shortly after!) If that test shows 1 and 2 are good, just maintain it after that...
As long as the pool is maintaining some FC, it's safe to swim in- even at shock levels, its safe but maybe harsh on swimwear! just be careful, if cloudy, someone could "disappear" on the bottom and you wouldn't know it!

[AnnaK]

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?

Given that you reported a CC = 0 your approach is reasonable. If your FC loss is greater than 1 ppm overnight and if you have more than 0.5 CC when you test this morning, go back to shock level for your amount of CYA.

The cloudiness is most likely caused by the remnants of dead algae and particulate debris and will eventually filter out. This is the most frustrating part of cleaning up a dirty pool—waiting for the water to sparkle. It takes time. Don't let the FC drop below 5 ppm; in fact, try to keep the FC at the high end of your range for now at 7 ppm.

[Texas247]

Woot! Pool looked great this morning and holding strong with no loss of FC (around 7 is my best guess as the HTH kit only goes to 5) I can see clearly to the bottom of the deep end. I can still see some particles in the water, but it's clearing out just from running the filter. Kids are gonna have a blast today - they're so excited! Now to get started on the landscaping around the pool.....*wondering if there's a forum for that*....LOL Thanks for all of the excellent advice!

[CarlD]

madwill nails it:

If your FC is NOT dropping by more than 1ppm overnight and your CC <.5ppm, you don't need to shock.

Otherwise you do.

Assuming you don't need to shock:
Other things to speed up cleaning your pool can be using "skimmer socks" in your skimmer. They are cheap and work amazingly well. A couple of layers of old panty-hose can substitute. I find the skimmer socks are fine enough to prevent pollen getting in to my filter.
You can also now dose your water with PolyQuat, the only algaecide we recommend. Interestingly, PolyQuat may help clear your water faster as its also a good clarifier. I'd only use an ounce or two, and you WILL see your FC drop over 24 hours, but probably not much.

Carl

[Texas247]

Update: I hesitated for a while to use the skimmer sock because I'd read conflicting opinions on it here in the forum, but after a week or two of having clean water and STILL getting sediment on the bottom (even after shocking, vacuuming to waste, repeat), I decided to take the plunge, so to speak. I am now a skimmer sock convert - it works beautifully! Thanks again for everyone's advice and information...this new pool owner is completely grateful!!!

[AnnaK]

We just love posts like that!

I use skimmer socks. I've found that if I brush the pool and stir up what dust/dirt is on the bottom much of it will get caught in the sock. I don't obsess over the occasional line of dirt in a dip or a liner crease. As soon as the dogs get in they'll stir it up back into solution and the sock will catch it.

Be advised that when you have lot of crud, such as in spring with various pollens, you want to exchange skimmer socks twice a day, maybe more. They are a terrific aid to keeping a pool clean.

Happy, happy, happy for your success!