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Thread: Time to replace sand?

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  1. #1
    CarlD's Avatar
    CarlD is offline SuperMod Emeritus Vortex Adjuster CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars
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    Default Re: Time to replace sand?

    Don't give up now! CYA still over 100ppm?
    When the FC is down, since the CC is below 1, a quick dip in an old suit shouldn't hurt.
    What is your pH? (I realize it will appear elevated).

    Carl
    Carl

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    jonno is offline Subscriber Thread Analyst jonno 0
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    Default Re: Time to replace sand?

    Carl, et al, - Here are my 10am readings.
    FC 25 (7:15am was 22.5 so added .7 gal of 12.5% bleach at that time)
    CC 0 (7:15am was 2.5)
    pH 7.6 (reading elevated from high FC)
    Someone is testing for me while I'm at work -- every 2 hours and adding bleach to keep the FC at 25. I'll test the CYA tonight.

    The signs of progress are amazing! The photos tell the story...


    From opening day, 5/29/11, through 6/9/11 the water was Mountain Dew green with visibility about six inches (my hand would disappear before the water got near my elbow).


    On 6/11/11, the pool store prescribed "Green to Clean" - it turned the water blue (killed the algae), but visibility was unchanged. This product just made things worse (see earlier posts).


    I joined this forum on 6/13/11. The water was a mess. This was taken on 6/22, mid-way through the bleach treatment. The algae made a comeback, but visibility was improving.


    As of this morning - the water has a sparkle to it. Seams and design are clearly visible on the very bottom of the deep end. The water probably isn't CRYSTAL clear yet, but to tell you the truth, it's been so long, I'm not sure I remember - every day it keeps getting better. Wow!

    This forum (and the people behind it) is great! I know it is basic chemistry and POPP, but it seems like magic - thank you all!
    Taylor K-2006, IG Vinyl 26,000g, Sand filter 275 lbs, 3/4 HP Hayward Super Pump II, CYA over 100, Using 12.5% bleach

    18'x36' rectangle 26K gal IG pool; Liquid Chlorine 12.5% ; Sand Filter 275 lbs. sand filter; Hayward Super Pump II 3/4 HP pump; 23 hrshrs; Taylor K-2006; delivered via truck; summer: ; winter: ; iPad; PF:4.6

  3. #3
    CarlD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Time to replace sand?

    Getting the sparkle is easy...just put a little DE in the filter via the skimmer, enough so the pressure goes up 1psi (add about 1/3 cup at a time till you get there), then put a skimmer sock in the skimmer. In NO time the water will sparkle again! Mine does and I have a 200# sand filter.

    Carl
    Carl

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    jonno is offline Subscriber Thread Analyst jonno 0
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    Default Re: Time to replace sand?

    Thanks Carl. I put a little DE in the skimmer and installed a skimmer sock. Looking even better than this morning.
    7pm Test Results are:
    FC 25.5
    CC 1.5
    pH 7.5
    TA 180
    CYA - black dot disappears well before the 100 mark.
    pH and TA numbers may be off due to high FC ppm.
    Taylor K-2006, IG Vinyl 26,000g, Sand filter 275 lbs, 3/4 HP Hayward Super Pump II, CYA over 100, Using 12.5% bleach

    18'x36' rectangle 26K gal IG pool; Liquid Chlorine 12.5% ; Sand Filter 275 lbs. sand filter; Hayward Super Pump II 3/4 HP pump; 23 hrshrs; Taylor K-2006; delivered via truck; summer: ; winter: ; iPad; PF:4.6

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    jonno is offline Subscriber Thread Analyst jonno 0
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    Default Re: Time to replace sand?

    Carl, Watermom, Janet, or Ben -
    I have a question about the timing of taking an end-of-day FC test and when to take it the next morning. To end the shock phase, I know I want a FC that loses no more than 1ppm overnight, but when does "overnight" start and end? From reading other posts, I thought the last test of the day can be taken whenever the sun is off the pool and the first test the next morning is to be within two hours of sunrise.

    This evening, I did a test at 7pm and the FC was 25.5. I thought that was late enough to be my final test. Out of curiousity, I tested again 3 hours later at 10pm and was surprised that the FC dropped 4ppm (from 25.5 to 21.5). I added almost a gallon of bleach to bring it back to 25ppm, but this got me wondering.

    Here're my questions:
    • Why did the FC drop so much between 7p and 10p?
    • Is it because the FC is still fighting nasties in the water? The CC at 10p was 1.5, so I think this also is a clue that the shock level of bleach is still needed.
    • The sun didn't actually set until 8:38p tonight - could the UV rays hitting the pool indirectly between 7p and 8:38p also have contributed to the drop in FC?
    • The water is so invitingly clear, how many more days should I be prepared to continue frequent testing and keeping the FC at shock level (i.e., 25ppm)?

    Sorry to be hounding you with so many questions - I'm curious about the chemistry and I've also got several eager swimmers attracted to the sparkling water.
    Taylor K-2006, IG Vinyl 26,000g, Sand filter 275 lbs, 3/4 HP Hayward Super Pump II, CYA over 100, Using 12.5% bleach

    18'x36' rectangle 26K gal IG pool; Liquid Chlorine 12.5% ; Sand Filter 275 lbs. sand filter; Hayward Super Pump II 3/4 HP pump; 23 hrshrs; Taylor K-2006; delivered via truck; summer: ; winter: ; iPad; PF:4.6

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    jonno is offline Subscriber Thread Analyst jonno 0
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    Default Re: Time to replace sand?

    6:40a FC 23.0 and CC 1.0 - will continue testing and topping to 25ppm today.
    Taylor K-2006, IG Vinyl 26,000g, Sand filter 275 lbs, 3/4 HP Hayward Super Pump II, CYA over 100, Using 12.5% bleach

    18'x36' rectangle 26K gal IG pool; Liquid Chlorine 12.5% ; Sand Filter 275 lbs. sand filter; Hayward Super Pump II 3/4 HP pump; 23 hrshrs; Taylor K-2006; delivered via truck; summer: ; winter: ; iPad; PF:4.6

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    Watermom's Avatar
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    Default Re: Time to replace sand?

    Quote Originally Posted by jonno View Post
    Carl, Watermom, Janet, or Ben -
    I have a question about the timing of taking an end-of-day FC test and when to take it the next morning. To end the shock phase, I know I want a FC that loses no more than 1ppm overnight, but when does "overnight" start and end? From reading other posts, I thought the last test of the day can be taken whenever the sun is off the pool and the first test the next morning is to be within two hours of sunrise.
    This is correct.

    Quote Originally Posted by jonno View Post
    This evening, I did a test at 7pm and the FC was 25.5. I thought that was late enough to be my final test. Out of curiousity, I tested again 3 hours later at 10pm and was surprised that the FC dropped 4ppm (from 25.5 to 21.5). I added almost a gallon of bleach to bring it back to 25ppm, but this got me wondering.

    Here're my questions:
    • [1]Why did the FC drop so much between 7p and 10p?
      [2]Is it because the FC is still fighting nasties in the water? The CC at 10p was 1.5, so I think this also is a clue that the shock level of bleach is still needed.
      [3]The sun didn't actually set until 8:38p tonight - could the UV rays hitting the pool indirectly between 7p and 8:38p also have contributed to the drop in FC?
      [4]The water is so invitingly clear, how many more days should I be prepared to continue frequent testing and keeping the FC at shock level (i.e., 25ppm)?

    Sorry to be hounding you with so many questions - I'm curious about the chemistry and I've also got several eager swimmers attracted to the sparkling water.
    1. Your statement in #2 answers it.
    2. Yes.
    3. I don't know. I wouldn't think the sun at that late hour would be strong enough to cause much chlorine loss, but why don't you wait a little later tomorrow evening before testing.
    4. Hopefully not too much longer. Keep your fingers crossed for sometime this weekend.

    Don't worry about all the questions. That is why we are here. Sorry none of us replied to this yesterday. It has been pretty busy around here lately and believe it or not, we all have lives outside this forum!

  8. #8
    jonno is offline Subscriber Thread Analyst jonno 0
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    Default Re: Time to replace sand?

    Thanks Watermom. I'll try to test around 8. Last night I had to test at 6:30p and this morning at 7a the FC was 23.5ppm (CC barely 1.0) - that's the smallest overnight drop so far. I'll keep testing during the day. I'm almost out of the R-0871 titrating reagent - a 2oz bottle used up in less than a week. But testing 5 or 6 times a day and using 50+ drops every test consumes a lot. I had already ordered more, but then I found that Amato industries is closer to my house than the pool store (they have two locations, here in MD and in northern VA - how lucky is that! The woman there is very nice and I can pick some more up today. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the FC will start to hold steady.

    By the way, the skimmer sock really makes a difference! Every morning and evening for the past days, I've taken it off and swished it around in a bucket of water to clean it off - not only does it leave the bucket water full of tiny insects and bits, but it turns the water very cloudy - so the sock is trapping tiny stuff too. I don't ever remember the water looking this clear!

    I am a happy convert to BBB!
    Taylor K-2006, IG Vinyl 26,000g, Sand filter 275 lbs, 3/4 HP Hayward Super Pump II, CYA over 100, Using 12.5% bleach

    18'x36' rectangle 26K gal IG pool; Liquid Chlorine 12.5% ; Sand Filter 275 lbs. sand filter; Hayward Super Pump II 3/4 HP pump; 23 hrshrs; Taylor K-2006; delivered via truck; summer: ; winter: ; iPad; PF:4.6

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