Pool liner feels like sandpaper

[pleasehelp]

I just want to thank all of you who help us pool "newbies"! Ok, can I do that without a test kit that is recommended on this site. I have one ordered, but for now only have a Basic 5 kit from the pool store.
We used the Frog last summer and have had it going this year for about 3 weeks. The pool store tested the water Sunday and according to their test: "ClearCare Expert"
there was no iron or copper. I find this hard to believe, as we fill the pool with well water. Where else can I have it tested?
Thanks again! I am trying to learn as much as I can from reading, but it can be very overwhelming!

[aylad]

Pool store is about the only place to have metals tested, unless you want to buy the kit yourself and test, but I think they're too expensive for one-time use....

I know there's a lot of information out there, and it seems very complicated, but it's really not--it just takes practice. Eventually this will all begin to make sense and you'll wonder why you thought it was so hard!

Get some chlorine in the pool--0.4 ppm isn't enough to keep the algae away. I would put a gallon in today, and then if you plan to shock it, wait until tonight when the sun is off the pool and do it then. Can you tell if you're losing chlorine overnight, or is it just during the day when the sun is out?

[pleasehelp]

For the past couple of days I am only losing chlorine during the day. Does that mean I am winning the battle on the algae? How do I keep the chlorine during the day if the stabilizer is low. I ordered the test kit you recommend, so hopefully it will come quickly! As I said before I am trying to read so I don't have to keep asking all these silly questions. Today the water looks more of a cloudy blue.
Also, last night you said there were people on the forum that would be able to help with the white crust that has formed on my liner. How do I go about getting their help? I tried peeling some off to put in the vinegar, but it just doesn't come off in pieces. Do I worry about this after the water has cleared?

[Watermom]

If you are not losing chlorine overnight, then that is definitely a good sign. Glad you ordered a good test kit and hope you will get it soon. Once you get the kit and can test the CYA, we can advise you whether or not to add some more.

I did alert Ben to have a look at your thread but he was super busy and hasn't had time to be around here today. So, try and be patient and hopefully he will be able to give you some suggestions soon!

[pleasehelp]

Thank you! I have been addicted to this sight for the last 48 hours, but have learned alot! Last night I could finally see the bottom of the pool. I still have the white scale, but I am elated that I can see the bottom. Is Ben someone that would be able to help me work through the white scale issue. Interestingly enough the scale is on the panels, but not on the resin columns.
Also I am wondering, how do I use the search engine? It keeps telling me I don't have access. I am just trying to find out what I need to use instead of the Frog mineral reservoir/chlorinator. I was under the impression that the Frog was what kept some chlorine in the pool between weekly shock treatments. I hate to keep bothering people with silly questions, and was hoping I could just search for the answers.

[Watermom]

No silly questions. We are glad to help.

Yes, Ben is the one who will best be able to you with your scale problem. He has worked night and day around this forum for the past couple of months and really needed a couple days off to rest and do some other things. He knows a lot about pools and loves to help people, but he is also a husband and a father and needs some time with his family. His brain was starting to get fried from no breaks from this forum, so we are glad that he took a couple of days to recoup. But, he should be back around in the next day I think.

As far as searching, use the Google search in my signature below instead of the forum software's search feature as it is much better. Until your registration is finished (which will hopefully be tomorrow), you'll have to log out to see the search results.

Hope this helps! Thank you for your patience!

[PoolDoc]

I'll offer a more extended reply later, but for now.

1. Do NOT try to scrape the scale off: you can damage the liner.
2. Do get a K2006; you are going to need to the full test capability to manage the liner clean up.
3. Do get your chlorine up and kill the algae; that has to be done first.
4. Please complete the PF Pool Chart, to allow us easy access to your pool info:

Pool Chart Entry Form
Pool Chart Results

5. Finally, DO get your pH DOWN. You want it just barely above the LOWEST point on whatever tester you have.

[pleasehelp]

Ok, got my new K2006 test kit:
FC 2.6
CC .4
PH 8.0
CYA 0
TA 250
The pool is no longer green, blue and pretty clear (not sparkling). I am going to do the overnight loss test, and then not really sure where to go from there. I think I need to get my PH down, and the TA up...maybe. Thank you again! You are all great! Going to do some more reading to see if I can attempt to answer some of my own questions. Starting to feel a little empowered and not overwhelmed!

[pleasehelp]

I meant TA down.

[BigDave]

You can move your pH down with Muriatic Acid. See the link in Watermom's sig above for handling Muriatic Acid. This will also lower TA.
Ben recommended that you bring you pH to the lowest on your tester. This is to help with the scaling.
The process for lowering tA is to add Muriatic acid, this lowers pH and TA, then areate the pool, this will raise pH without raising TA. Repeat this process when the pH gets up to 7.6 (maybe 7.4 in your case) until you have your TA at the level you want.