adjust cya before or after shocking

[Watermom]

If your test kit only goes to 5 and is reading 5, then it could mean 5 or it could mean higher than 5. Same with your pH. It could mean 8.2 or it could mean higher than that. What color is the chlorine test showing? Dark yellow, orange, ?? I am not calibrated on dichlor dosages. What did the package say in regards to how much a dose of dichlor would add to your chlorine level? I will tell you that for every 10ppm of chlorine that it adds, it also adds 9ppm of CYA.

You really need to get a better test kit. An OTO/Phenol Red kit is fine for quick daily testing, but when you are trying to clear a pool, it isn't adequate. We recommend the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C (same kit, larger quantities). You can get it through the Amazon link in my signature below. Only order if the seller listed is Amato Industries as sometimes other sellers substitute the K-2005 instead which you don't want.

To get a more accurate pH reading, retest it when the chlorine is low. Repost with new numbers and order a good kit.

[Kateyru]

I just ordered K-2006 kit. An aside, Amazon vendor was VM Innovations so I went to Amato website to order. I forgot to mention that the PH level yesterday "scared me" so I added muriatic acid. This am the PH is 7.2 and chlorine is same 5, a dark yellow. Should I go ahead and add another 37 oz of dichlor now? I used Pool Calculator to determine amount, fyi. After that, should I wait to get better test kit before doing anything else? I really want to add borates (per sticky note) when I get algae straightened out.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your help!!!

[Kateyru]

PS, I just subscribed to the forum. Thanks for all the help!

[BigDave]

As you pH is 7.2, don't use any more dichlor until you can raise it with borax. I was under the impression that you had pretty much the same chlorine before and after adding the dichlor indicating a drop of 5 - 7 ppm. If your chlorine hasn't changed since yesterday, I'd wait to get accurate results with the K-2006. If you chlorine does drop to a level you can read with OTO, then I'd bring it back up to shock level with bleach.

BTW Thanks for subscribing!

[Kateyru]

So next step is to raise the pH with borax or should I wait on new test kit? If I raise the pH first, then I wait on new kit unless I can read chlorine level with current kit, right? then I would shock the pool? Will bleach be better to use than cal-hypo to shock? Should I leave filter running for now? Thanks!

[BigDave]

I wouldn't add another dose of dichlor with the pH at 7.2 as it could push your pH below 7.0. How low does your pH comparator read?

We're not sure how high your chlorine is, just that it's above 5ppm. You need to be at 15ppm for shock level - we'll be able to measure this directly when the K-2006 arrives. If your chlorine reading looks the same today as yesterday, then it's not being consumed fast and I'd be concerned with over-dosing until it can be reliably read.

When you can get a reliable (in range) chlorine reading, you can decide to: 1) Bring pH up with borax and dose with dichlor - or - 2) Dose with bleach or cal-hypo. I would avoid cal-hypo at this point as we have no CH reading (we will when the k-2006 arrives).

[Watermom]

To get a ballpark figure of where your chlorine is until your good kit comes, you can dilute your water sample. This is not super accurate, but better than nothing at all.

Testing Without a Good Kit

Either use bleach or dichlor but if you use dichlor, you do need to raise your pH some with Borax or it may drop below 7.0 which you don't want. Yes, to running the pump 24/7 while you are trying to clear the pool. What kind of filter do you have?

Thanks for becoming a subscriber! We appreciate the financial support!

[Kateyru]

I wouldn't add another dose of dichlor with the pH at 7.2 as it could push your pH below 7.0. How low does your pH comparator read?

We're not sure how high your chlorine is, just that it's above 5ppm. You need to be at 15ppm for shock level - we'll be able to measure this directly when the K-2006 arrives. If your chlorine reading looks the same today as yesterday, then it's not being consumed fast and I'd be concerned with over-dosing until it can be reliably read.

When you can get a reliable (in range) chlorine reading, you can decide to: 1) Bring pH up with borax and dose with dichlor - or - 2) Dose with bleach or cal-hypo. I would avoid cal-hypo at this point as we have no CH reading (we will when the k-2006 arrives).

pH comparator goes down to 6.8. I just checked chlorine and it looks like it is still at 5. Kind of hard to tell as it is 8:20 at night so my indoor light is not as good as day light. I have a sand filter. Should I be running pump 24/7 even if I am not adding anything right now? Glad to help financially...it didn't seem right to get all this advice and assistance for free!
sorry if i replied multiple times...

[Watermom]

While you are trying to clear the pool of algae, you should run the pump 24/7. Watch your filter pressure. When it rises 8-10 psi over your clean filter pressure, backwash it.

[Kateyru]

Morning! PH is 7.2 and chlorine is still at 5. I misspoke yesterday about the color. I would say it is a medium yellow at most and not dark. I'm planning to get distilled water this morning to do the test without a kit since I haven't heard that the 2006 kit has shipped. I am leaving town in 24 hours (Fri am) and will be back on Sunday evening. Any way to shock with bleach (based on distilled water test results) in 24 hours successfully or will I be wasting bleach?
Thanks.