Brown gunk on the bottom of pool

[rox29160]

Dave: Thanks, I had actually read somthing similar to that before about using batting and tube socks. I haven't actually tried it yet. I haven't figured out in my mind how to attach it to my vacuum so it works effieciently yet so I haven't tried it yet. I might just tie it on tonight and give it a go and see what it does.

Anna: Every thing has always felt squeaky clean. Mine did show up in late July so maybe it was a coincidence that it was right after I raised my FC levels.

[rox29160]

I made and improvised filter out of four old socks to use in combination with my venturi vacuum and debris bag. I simply put the socks, one inside the other, and tied them around the outside of the debris bag. I vacuumed all the brown stuff up a week ago and it still has not returned. (Previously, it had been coming right back after vacuuming. Most of the time within 12 hours.) The sock on the inside, the first filter if you will, was almost completely brown after vacuuming. The socks got cleaner and cleaner as you worked your way out.

I have added 3 cups of Borax so far and let it mix in for a couple of days each time. It has changed my ph from 7.2 to maybe 7.3. I added another cup or so over the weekend and plan on checking it tonight to see where my ph is now. It seems like I am having to add an awful lot. The Pool Calculator said I only needed like 11 fl oz to raise it to 7.5. I am now at around 16 fl oz. Twelve ounces hardly made it change at all. Maybe I did something wrong on the calculator. Anybody know how much I should have to add?

[BigDave]

Did you get alot of rain while you were trying to raise the pH? Irene maybe? My pH went from 7.5 to 7.2 in Sunday's storm. If it was the storm, yout TA probably dropped too, not that you should adjust it, just what acid does to a pool.

[rox29160]

I didn't get hardly any rain from Irene, but I got about 1-1/2" Monday after she was long gone, which will probably make my PH and TA worse. I had checked the PH before Irene was supposed to hit just to beat the storm. I've been dissolving the Borax in a bucket of water and then dumping it in the pool, so I don't think it is settling to the bottom or anything.

[Watermom]

You don't need to pre-dissolve the Borax. Just pour it slowly into the skimmer breaking up any clumps.