Taking control of my pool this year

[Watermom]

I'd probably just use 28K for dosing purposes. It doesn't have to be exact.

Your alk is ok. Your pH is a little high. You can use a little muriatic acid to lower it. Small additions. Probably a pint or so at a time added slowly in front of a return jet. Glasses, gloves, be upwind of fumes, pour close to water surface to avoid splashing. After a few hours of circulating, test pH and redose until you get the pH where you want it.

I think your CYA is probably ok if it was kept in a closed container in a garage. I'd go ahead and use it before buying more. Add some slowly to the skimmer while the pump is running and then let your pump run 24/7 for the next 4 or 5 days. After a week, retest and then see where you are. I'd probably start with about 7lbs. That should take you to about 35ppm. You can adjust it up a little later if you need to. Better to have to add more instead of overshooting target since CYA can only be removed by doing a partial drain and refill. Most people like 40-50 for CYA so if you target 35, that gives you a little wiggle room. Don't backwash for a week either or otherwise, you'll just be throwing out any undissolved CYA.

I don't know what the super blue stuff is but don't put it in the pool. DEFINITELY do NOT put the algae treatment in the pool. Contrary to popular belief, it is copper that turns blonde hair green, not chlorine.

To save your reagents, use the 10ml water sample instead of the 25ml. 0.5 is good enough accuracy for pool testing results and it will make your reagents last longer.

Hope this helps!

EDIT -- Forgot to talk about chlorine. Until that CYA dissolves, you'll have to add bleach a couple or three times per day. Aim to get to about 5 or 6 each time you add it after testing. After the CYA registers, you should be able to go to testing and dosing in the evenings only.

Another EDIT -- Just remembered that you have a SWCG. Check your manual for CYA level requirements. I think most manufacturers want the CYA around 70 or 80.

[jilted]

OK so I shut the pump timer off this evening and added the old CYA that I had. I didn't have a perfect way to measure so I stood on a scale with and without the bucket and I weighed about 8 lbs more with the bucket. Some of the granules were all stuck together so I broke it all free as best I could and added it slowly to the skimmer.

I found my SWCG manual and sure enough it has recommend pool balance information in it:
CYA: 40-60 minimum up to 100 ppm
FAC: 1-3 ppm
pH: 7.2 - 7.8
Alkalinity: 100 - 120 ppm
Calcium: 200 - 300 ppm (but I guess that isn't necessary for my liner pool)

It also mentions to make sure not to let the CYA drop below 30 ppm.

It also mentions to shut the cell off when adding anything to the pool for at least an hour. I shut it down before adding the CYA and since it's so late I'll just turn it back on in the morning at 100% output. I'll need to go to the store tomorrow and pick up some bleach.

Here is what I found out regarding that super blue stuff:
Robarb Super Blue is a powerful water clarifier that produces and maintains crystal clear pool water without affecting pH balance or other chemicals. Its thick, highly concentrated formulation is designed to clear cloudy water FAST! The formula is non-toxic, non-irritating, biodegradable and improves filter efficiency. Regular use of Super Blue reduces the buildup of fine particles in pool water so that the sanitizer or algaecide is free to keep pool water clear and inviting.

Should I wait for the CYA to work all week before adjusting anything else?

How soon is it safe to swim again?

Thanks again for all the input. I am already more comfortable with all this than I was a week ago!

[Watermom]

I would not use the Super Blue. It isn't needed and some of those products make things worse.

You do not need to wait for the CYA to dissolve before adjusting other things and it as long as your chlorine and pH are in range, you are fine to swim. Glad to hear that you are feeling more confident with your pool maintenance. Reading and doing your homework is always a good thing. Also, if you haven't already done so, go and do some reading on our sister website www.poolsolutions.com.

[jilted]

Just a quick update:

I used my little OTO kit this evening and it was showing my FC at between 2 and 3 ppm and the pH was down closer to 7.2 (but I guess that could be off a little since it is an older kit).

[jilted]

OK I used my Taylor kit this evening. Pool has been running since Sunday night after adding ~8 lbs of CYA.

FC: 7.5 ppm
CC: When I added the 5 drops, it did not turn pink. Is this OK?
pH: 7.6
Alkalinity: 90 ppm
CYA: around 35 ppm

So I still have some work to do on my CYA i guess.
How about that CC issue? Should this have happened?
I guess I'm off to find more CYA this weekend since our Lowe's doesn't seem to have it. Would a feed store possibly have it? I live out in the country hehe.

Thanks,
-stephen

[aylad]

CC: When I added the 5 drops, it did not turn pink. Is this OK?

Absolutely!! If it didn't turn pink, that means you have no CC, and that's the whole goal!! Your other numbers look pretty good, other than the CYA still being too low. A feed store probably will not have CYA, but if you have a Tractor Supply Co (the chain) nearby, sometimes they do. Otherwise, go to WalMart and check the section where the spa chems are.

Janet

[jilted]

OK Walmart had the HTH brand that was a 4 lb container of 96% CYA for like $14
Went back to Lowes on the way out and they DID have CYA this time heh.
Our Lowes has the Aqua-Chem brand and it was a 3 lb container of 100% CYA for $13

I had already bought the HTH and wasn't going back in that madhouse.

Is there much of a difference in the two brands being 96% and 100% CYA?

Anyway, I put another 4 lbs in which should give me maybe another ~15 ppm which would bring me to 50. Should I try to bump it up a tad bit more?

Thanks,
-stephen

[Watermom]

I wouldn't add anymore CYA yet. The 4 lb. addition should add about 18ppm more of CYA which would put you up to about 53 which is in range suggested by your SWCG manufacturer. You can always add more later. Easier to add more later than need to remove.

[jilted]

Thanks. So now that I have my CYA under control, about where should I try to keep my chlorine level at? I think I read that since the SWCG is constantly producing chlorine that you can keep it lower than if you were using granules and tablets.

Also, is there a consensus on when I should run the pump? Day or night?

Thanks,
-stephen

[Watermom]

Read your literature that came with your SWCG. It should give you the chlorine levels needed for your system. I run my pump during the day. Some people do nights because electricity rates are cheaper then. I am not too familiar with SWCG operation, so let's see if one of our SWCG guys has any opinions on this and why.