Got my new K-2006 testkit...now what?

[aylad]

All that trichlor is what's driving your CYA so high. So...now you have a choice...do you want to run a high CYA/high chlorine pool? (See the "best guess chart" linked in my sig for more information on that). The upside is that you probably will only have to dose your pool once or twice a week, but the downside is that it's going to take a LOT of chlorine to kill off the algae bloom that you already have. Plus, everytime you let the chlorine level fall below 8-10 ppm, you're risking another bloom.

The alternative is to drain part of your water and replace it, which will drop both your CYA AND your calcium levels, if your fill water is only 170 ppm. Either way works, it's really up to you. But...you're going to have to stop using the trichlor because it's driving your CYA sky high. I'm fine with a high CYA pool--I run mine higher than most folks on purpose because I lose a LOT less chlorine that way, but when you get up over the 300 ppm range, that's higher than even I'm comfortable with. I think Pooldoc has a way to lower the CH in the pool without draining, but I'll let him answer to that to see if it's a feasible solution for your pool.


It's your decision, but we'll help walk you through whatever you decide to do.

Janet

[Watermom]

Also, you mentioned that some of those trichlor tabs contain copper in them. You do NOT want copper in your pool! Contrary to popular belief, it's not chlorine that stains things and turns blonde hair green, it is copper that does it!

[pmoneykitty]

Thank you both for your responses.

I'm not opposed to draining and refilling, if that's the easiest way to fix both the CYA and Calcium issues. However, our daytime temps are already reaching 110 here in Phoenix. Isn't it a bad idea to drain my pool, even partially, with those temps? Or is that another myth perpetuated by the pool stores? If I do go that way, how far should I drain to 1) prevent destroying my pool, 2) bring the CYA and calcium levels back into manageable ranges?

If Pooldoc knows another way to fix this without draining, I am open to all options.

I can't thank you enough for all your help!

[PoolDoc]

Hi Kitty;

Just looked at your figures, and your pool data. If you would, test your tap water's hardness. If it's really hard, then draining and refilling won't help the calcium much.

However, draining and refilling are the only way to fix the high CYA. Test your CYA again by mixing your pool water 1:3 with distilled water (Walmart - 1/4 cup pool water; 3/4 cup distilled, and stir, then test). Multiple the result by 4.

Meanwhile, you can fix your algae problem in 3 possible ways:

1. Use polyquat & brush, brush, brush.
2. Use sodium bromide (& brush, brush, brush).
3. Raise your chlorine REALLY high (40+) (& brush, brush, brush).

I'd recommend polyquat + bromide in a small dose + filtering 24/7. I'll put links for bromide & polyquat below. But, you gotta stop using trichlor. Set your tabs aside, for now. If you drain and refill, you can use them. Otherwise, you'll need to give them away. (They don't store well!)

Kem-Tek 60% polyquat @ Amazon
Nava 60% polyquat @ Amazon

Nava Chemicals 652072097 Yellow Algae Remover, 2-Pound Bottle @ Amazon
Tropi Clear TC-4402-1 2-Pound Yellow Eliminator @ Amazon

You can buy locally, but try to find these exact products . . . or be VERY careful, so you don't end up with something that's "just as good", but actually terrible!