How can I avoid a pH crash?

[waterbear]

Just to be safe I would bump up the TA a bit higher. Murphy's Law and all that! I would shoot for 100 ppm. You can always lower it when you return if you find that your pH is rising too fast.

[AnnaK]

Well %$#@!

Murphy's Law kicked in. The day before we're to leave for Canada to help our very elderly parents the pump died. During its run time last night it got so very loud that we had to turn it off. Checked just now: skimmer clean, pump basket clean, pressure readings normal at low and high speeds, water coming out of the return as always. So I have normal inflow and outflow, no air leaks apparent. but the pump makes a hellishly loud noise.

There's no way we have time to disassemble it and check it out.

I'm going to pour in enough bleach to get to 20 ppm FC and mix it in with the net. Then I'll put the solar cover on and drive away. Whatever happens, happens. I know how to clear up a green pool.

But still: %$#@!

Pardon my language.

[waterbear]

Leave it to Murphy! Never seems to fail, does it?

[BigDave]

Pull the pump. Bring your tools. Let someone else drive. Take it apart in your lap on the way. Get parts in Canadia(if you can). Put it back together on your way home(someone else driving). It's all ready when you return. Plenty of time. ;-)

Warning: Do not attempt to rebuild your pump while driving.

[Watermom]

Anna,
You may want to leave a little bit of the pool uncovered to vent it some since you are shocking it up to 20 so the fumes won't damage your cover.