Looking for pool shocking information from Ben Powell.

[PoolDoc]

I wrote that page about 15 years ago, and need to re-edit it again.

The better shocking method requires that you have a sand filter and use calcium hypochlorite, which is MUCH harder to find than it was 15 years ago.

Also, it won't do anything to solve your current problems. You need to start adding a box of 20 Mule Team borax (slowly, via the skimmer, pump running) every 4 hours for every 10,000 gallons in your pool, till you get your pH above 7.0.

And, you probably do NOT want to bring your chlorine level down. If it's been at all sunny, and your chlorine level hasn't dropped on it's own, it's probably because your stabilizer is very high . . . and in THAT case, you NEED high chlorine. Read the "Best Guess" page linked in my signature, for the explanation.

And get a kit. You can NOT do a good job with your pool, without good info, and 'guess strips', even when read by a dealer, do NOT count!

[burtom]

I have posted everything but the pump model. I have been using guess strips and a drop kit for Chlorine and PH. I will be looking asking my wife about buying the K2006 or K2006C from Amazon this weekend.
Current readings from guess strip are PH 7.2 after adding a box of Borax, Total Alkalinity 120, Chlorine about 9 and Stabilizer 100. With the drop kit Free and Total Chlorine both are off scale and PH reads about 7.5 after a box of Borax. Next question are the chemicals good for more that one year in the K2006C?

Thanks
Tom

[Watermom]

Next question are the chemicals good for more that one year in the K2006C?

Yes.

Also, your stabilizer could actually be much higher than 100. Tests can't differentiate readings past that value. Order the K-2006 and then run the CYA test on a diluted sample. Take one part pool water and mix it with one part distilled water. Use that water for the CYA test and then multiply the results by 2. If you still get a reading of 100, repeat it but use one part pool water and two parts distilled water and multiply the results by 3. That will help to give a better idea of what your CYA level actually is.

[PoolDoc]

I'd recommend starting with a 1:3 dilution (multiply x 4). He'll use up his CYA reagent getting there, otherwise. (One of the weak points in the K2006A is that it contains only 6 x CYA tests.)

[burtom]

Thank you everyone I have ordered the K2006A kit and will be back with results.

Tom

[Watermom]

Good deal!

[burtom]

Hi Everyone:

I did my testing with the kit and the results are:
1.6 PPM Free Chlorine
.2 PPM Combined Chlorine
7.7 PH
160 PPM TA
140 PPM Calcium Hardness
228 CYA

Thanks
Tom