Need help with starting chlorine after drain/refill

[aciam]

Thanks Ben!

Here are this morning's number:

OTO TC=3 pH 7.2
DPD FC=3 pH 7.2

FAS-DPD FC 3-3.5 CC 3.5 pH 7.2 alk 60-70

remainder of 2 pucks of trichlor in skimmer

I decided to add just a tiny bit more borax but nothing else. Let me know if I should be messing with the alkalinity at all. We are off to a family function. Will retest tonight.

Questions: What do you want me to be aiming for in terms of FC?
Do you want me to redose polyquat once a week?
Is there any threat to re introducing my pink algae ladder into the pool? or should I just invest in a new one?

Thank you. Have a good Sunday. aciam

[PoolDoc]

Don't worry with anything except chlorine and pH, right now.

It looks good -- once you've got everything stable with those, and you

[aciam]

Hi Ben - looks like your last post got cut off so I missed your words of wisdom at the end! Please feel free to fill them in so I know what it is you were trying to tell me! the answers to all my questions and a plan for moving forward maybe? Still haven't done the swim test but plan on it soon.

Things continue to be stable.

8pm numbers
OTO TC 2 pH 7.2
DPD FC 2 pH 7.2

FAS DPD FC 2.5 ( down from 3-3.5 this morning) CC 3 pH 7.2 alk 60-70

I added a bit more borax and put 2 new trichlor pucks in skimmer for the night( had just the remnants of the last 2 left). Will recheck in morning and follow your advice in meantime! Thanks! aciam

[PoolDoc]

Basically, I was just going to say, hang in there, it looks like all is going well.

Ben

[aciam]

Hi Ben - here are my numbers for today - I am happy with them:

6/27 10 am FAS-DPD FC 6.5 CC 3 pH 7.2 alk 60-70 added sm amt borax
2pm FC 5 CC 2-2.5 pH 7.2 added sm amt borax
7pm FC 5.5 CC 2 pH 7.2 added sm amt borax

I have a test strip to measure CYA and still not showing - don't want to waste reagent by testing for it until abt a week is that right?

Not sure why pH is not rising despite slow and steady additions of borax - is it all the acid dissolving from the CYA? and the trichlor pucks? or is it getting all stuck in the filter ( I'm adding it thru the skimmer - wondered if it is getting all tied up with the CYA in there?)

What is my plan now in terms of Cl levels now? where should I be keeping it? If we swim, what should I do in terms of treating the pool after, ie shocking it? thanks! aciam

[Yeggim]

Hi Ben - here are my numbers for today - I am happy with them:

6/27 10 am FAS-DPD FC 6.5 CC 3 pH 7.2 alk 60-70 added sm amt borax
2pm FC 5 CC 2-2.5 pH 7.2 added sm amt borax
7pm FC 5.5 CC 2 pH 7.2 added sm amt borax

I have a test strip to measure CYA and still not showing - don't want to waste reagent by testing for it until abt a week is that right?

I'd wait too unless Ben says otherwise.

Not sure why pH is not rising despite slow and steady additions of borax - is it all the acid dissolving from the CYA? and the trichlor pucks? or is it getting all stuck in the filter ( I'm adding it thru the skimmer - wondered if it is getting all tied up with the CYA in there?)

TriChlor pucks are acidic. Borax is very quick to dissolve. The PH drop from the pucks is probably getting balanced from the Borax. That could result in a static PH as they cancel each other out. It's not a result of getting tied up in the filter. One's lowering PH (TriChlor) and one's raising the PH (Borax).

What is my plan now in terms of Cl levels now? where should I be keeping it? If we swim, what should I do in terms of treating the pool after, ie shocking it? thanks! aciam

You're coming off a Baqaucil conversion?---correct? I'd wait on Ben for any recommendations for Chlorine.

[PoolDoc]

Borax dissolves rapidly enough so that what you add would not get 'stuck' on the filter for long. I'm not sure how much you are adding, but a "small amount" may be simply too small to affect things.

Unless you add CYA directly, you don't need to test for the effect of using trichlor more than once every 2 - 3 weeks. You probably should go ahead and test for calcium and total alkalinity, however.

I wish the CC was lower, but since it's not, using trichlor as you are is probably a good way to chlorinate, as it will tend reduce your CC's.

You probably should try to swim, although I'd be cautious since we really don't know how irritating the remaining CCs are. So limit your swim sessions to brief, but increasing, periods till you are confident that the water is not irritating.

-- I see Yeggim & I have been simul-posting --

[aciam]

Hi Ben -

Here are my numbers from yesterday and today:
6/28 930 am FC - 5-5.5 CC = 2-2.5 pH 7.2 ( still)
pucks dissolved so added 1 new trichlor puck and 9 oz of borax

530 pm FC= 4.5 CC= 2.5 Ph still 7.2 added 9oz borax

today 6/29
930 am FC = 5 CC=1.5 ph still 7.2
230 pm Fc = 3.5 CC = 1.5 pH still 7.2 alk 60 CYA <30(but the black dot was obscured if I filled the tube to top so there is some in there)
puck dissolved so new one added
7pm FC= 3.5 CC= 1-1.5 pH still 7.2

Questions:
1. I added 2.5 to 3 lbs of CYA on saturday - is today's CYA level accurate at 4 days out? do I need to add anymore or just retest at a later date? I think my chlorine is not too unstable.

2. Ph is very stable at 7.2. alk is now 60 - what should I do at this point? keep adding borax? or use baking soda? because I am using trichlor, which is acidic, will I need to constantly be adding borax over the summer?

3. Why does using trichlor tend to decrease CCs? ( I am happy to see it happening before my eyes!) does that mean I wont be able to use liquid bleach at all? what will I do for shocking?

4. What FC am I shooting to maintain? Am I able to go away at all and leave the pool for a few days? I have no idea how to do that and not screw up the chlorine levels.

Hope to try some swimming tomorrow and will let you know how it goes! Thanks. aciam