Pool Opening Problems.

[TheGoose]

My pool got swampy on me over the end of the winter because the motor on my 1-HP Whisper-Flo crapped out and I didn't have time to fix it. I was right in the middle of a major remodel on my house when this happened.

Summary:

Pool - Approx 18K gallons 17x33 oval/rectangular 5.5' middle 4.5' ends. 2 Skimmers and main-drain connected to pump by 3-way valve.
Location -SE Texas near Houston
Pumps - 1-HP Pentair whisperflo with newly installed dual-speed motor and 3/4 HP booster for polaris 280. Dual speed not yet activated so running on high for now.
Filter - Tagelus 60D 325# Sand Filter
SWCG - Hayward Swimpure with over-sized cell for up to 40,000 gallons.

Got the new motor installed about a week ago-been running the pool almost non-stop on high speed ever since and backwashing when necessary.

Opening #'s- FC 0 pH = 8
TA = 120 CH-not tested all tested with the Taylor DPD and OTO for quick readings. I am getting low on the powder but just ordered some today.
salt = 3600 but SWCG reading 2200 when started but after adding 2 bags it's up to 3600.

I started by buying 10 gallons of 6% bleach and running the filter pump non-stop. Water changed from swampy green to blueish green in about a day or so. Added acid to adjust pH.....added 12 more gallons of 6% bleach (first reading was still low). Finally started showing chlorine, which has been up and down since.

Added acid again due to still high pH but overshot....now pH = 6.8. Added 20 mule team and 4 bottles of 10% bleach from Lowe's.

Yesterday I started the SWCG now that it is showing enough salt. Noticed immediately that the pool started foaming up.....it also made a good amount of bubbles last year...enough to make the water look cloudy at times.

Today when I checked the FC/CC and pH the reading was 0 FC and pH= 6.8 so I added the mule team.

Will re-test tonight and see where I am on pH. I was good on Alk a few days ago but I don't know what the acid did to the TA...I am told it lowers it but I'm not sure by how much. I didn't check for CC since after adding 2 dippers the solution did not turn pink. Testing with OTO shows no FC but after a few minutes it does turn pale yellow which I am also told is the CC.

I kinda know what I have to do so this thread is more about tracking my progress....but I welcome all advice/comments.