kjh9835's pool

[kjh9835]

FC 12 this morning, 10 this evening. pH 8.2 both times. Big storm came thru, had to drain some water off pool and get the leaves/twigs out. Filter not too bad this morning, worse after the storm. Will keep an eye on levels and work on alk. prob Monday. Work nights all weekend and won't have time to do much more than monitor.

Kathy

[PoolDoc]

FC 12 this morning, 10 this evening. pH 8.2 both times.

Add some acid (pH Minus or muriatic acid) as soon as you can.

When a testkit registers 8.2, it really means 8.2 or HIGHER! With your alkalinity readings, the pH is going to tend to rise pretty quickly, until the alkalinity is lower.

[kjh9835]

Did not test pool or check board yesterday, cleaned filter and got more debris out this morning. FC 10, pH 8.2, alk 300 and CYA 100!!! I removed the pucks/floater the other day and have not added anything but bleach.

Am going to have to drain more water off pool this afternoon since the skimmer isn't working b/c water level too high (another storm came thru yesterday). Is there a link/directions on using the muratic acid somewhere...how much? how often? put all in one spot or just a little all around the perimeter? in the skimmer basket?

I printed out a topic on using muratic acid step by step directions on lowering the alkalinity but it didn't tell me much. I went back to the that site but could not find the info again and I really need to read some more before I start on it.

Am going to bed, will get up this afternoon and check for replies and start in on getting pH down then alkalinity.

Also, just so you mods know, when I log in I still do not see a forum heading for "Getting Started" for new members.
I know lots of others have pools that have been up and running and are now starting to have issues. I've directed them here but if they can't find where to post, they may not ask for help.

Kathy

[PoolDoc]

I'll be making it easier to get in after the 4th. But honestly, even with all the hurdles, the folks that HAVE been able to get in have been about as much as we could keep up with! It won't help anyone if we get so pushed we give bad answers.

Regarding your post, the alkalinity page is here: http://www.poolsolutions.com/gd/lowe...p-by-step.html

You can always find it by Googling for "step by step alkalinity"

However, you don't need to worry about all the steps: you just need to lower your pH. Get some more muriatic acid; at least 2 gallons.

If you aren't already running your pump 24/7, do so. Add 1/2 gallon per 10,000 gallons (I didn't find your gallons in the post) till you are below 7.8. Wait 2 hours between doses and retest before adding more. Wear glasses and gloves when adding muriatic acid and watch out for the fumes. Pour it directly into the pool, with the bottle partly in the pool so you can hold the spout close to the water to minimize splatters and fumes.

Keep going till you get your pH to 7.2, then repost complete test results.

[kjh9835]

FC 6
pH 7.2
Alk 220
CYA 50
Hardness...zero? Should turn red but did not, very clear light blush/peach/yellow but def. not red.

This is after one half gallon of muratic acid in approx 7000 gal pool put in at noon. Pump still running 24/7.

Looking better!

Kathy

[Watermom]

Don't even worry about testing your calcium hardness since you have a soft-sided pool. Calcium not needed.

[kjh9835]

FC 10
pH 7.2

Kids got in yesterday and splashed around to stir up the remaining debris, husband and I both did manual skimming, got just about all of it and the skimmer will catch the rest since he drained off some water while I was sleeping. Filter nasty this morning but I figured on that. Water barely cloudy at all.

Thanks again for all your help.

Kathy

[kjh9835]

Although I have not posted this past week I wanted to let you all know the pool is great. I have continued to monitor the levels daily, added muratic acid when pH was high and bleach when the FC was low (only once). Kids have kept the debris out and the bottom clean, too cold to swim in due to continued rain but the water is clear, clear, clear. Have not started on reducing the alkalinity but plan to do that this week.

I am so thrilled and can now see that it takes "a few minutes a day" to maintain a pool and I am not nearly as stressed out about the financial aspect of multiple chemicals/cost/time to get to town the purchase them. I can get everything I need right in the small town where I live and it's working.

Thanks again to all. Will post if I have issues with reducing the alkalinity.

Have a great day.

Kathy

[aylad]

Congratulations, now you can see that pool care doesn't have to be a headache!! Just resist the temptation to get lazy and lax on your testing--staying on top of your pool chemistry will keep it nice and clean all summer.

Janet