Taking control of my pool this year

[aylad]

The CYA at our Lowe's is in the garden department--just ask them where the "pool stuff" is, and they'll usually direct you toward it. I get mine at WalMart in the section where the spa chemicals are.

Wouldn't hurt to get a bulk box of baking soda, I guess, since you can use it for other stuff--not positive, but I believe with a SWCG you're going to want to keep your alk around 70 ish....I'm sure the SWCG experts will chime in here, but I don't think it's going to take as much as you think

Janet

[jilted]

Forgot to mention. I was digging around in the garage last night and uncovered a few pool chemicals that the previous owner left behind including a 14lb bucket of stabilizer that's close to full. Does that stuff get old and lose it's potency?

I guess I should still wait to get water tested before making any adjustments correct?

Maybe I can work on alkalinity first since I can measue that. If you are using baking soda is there a chart available on how much to use?

Thanks for all the input. I am soaking it up!

-Stephen

[aylad]

The old stabilizer is probably okay, if it's been stored in a sealed container. I would run a new set of tests on the pool water before making any adjustments at all.....but make sure while all that's happening, that you're keeping at least 3 ppm of chlorine in the pool, because you don't want an algae bloom to contend with!

Janet

[jilted]

Test kit arrived today so here are my results. Thanks in advance for input.
I know the chlorine is low I added some bleach early in the week to get by.
Pump has been running 9 hours/day with the SWCG at 100% output.
Water has been clear. No rain since the outbreak though.

Chlorine
FC .8 ppm
CC: .2 ppm
pH
just above 7.8 and took 1 drop to lower it to 7.6
Alkalinity
80 ppm
CYA
unmeasurable - the little black dot never disappeared even when the tube was full!
Calcium (i ran it just for testing practice)
140 ppm

I remeasured my pool today and it came to 28,000 gallons.
17' wide X 40' long X (8+3/2) X 7.5 = 28050
For calculations should I use that number or round up to 30k or down to 25k?
I measured square but my corners are 45 degree angles but the stair area kicks out so the shallow end is wider.

Our Lowe's had no cyanuric acid stabilizer type product.
I called home depot like 30 miles away and they have it.

chemicals I have on hand
a 4 lb box of baking soda
around half of a 14 lb bucket of old cyanuric acid that was left from old home owner (closed in garage kept)
a gallon of muriatic acid
a bucket of 3" chlorine tablets (regal brand i think)
some "super blue" stuff that says it polishes the water (should I trash this stuff or use it one day)
a partial container of ProTeam Severest Algae Treatment (7% copper main ingredient)

[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.

[Watermom]

I have used CYA from a previous season, but not sure how long it will last.

In a 26K pool, 3lbs. 10 oz. of baking soda will give you about a 10ppm rise in alk. Don't try and make too big of a change too fast or you may cloud the water.

[jilted]

I have used CYA from a previous season, but not sure how long it will last.

In a 26K pool, 3lbs. 10 oz. of baking soda will give you about a 10ppm rise in alk. Don't try and make too big of a change too fast or you may cloud the water.

Thanks. I won't have time this week to get to the pool store but my kit should be here Friday.

I would like to start building a custom spreadsheet for all the amounts required to make adjustments in my pool (like what you said about the 3lb10oz of baking soda).
Is there a good resource for that someone has already done that I can work from?

Thanks!
-stephen

[PoolDoc]

Yes, this PDF from PoolChlor (a HUGE pool service company in AZ & CA)

http://www.poolhelp.com/SimplifiedDosageFormulas.pdf

Ben