Water "Color" Problems!! Ready to give up!!

[sbrouillette]

I tested quickly before work this morning, could have been testing errors on my part. What do you mean by doing it for real? What is all involved with doing it for real?

What are some of the issues with swimming in a pool with a high pH? I ordered the pH minus that you recommended and I do have it at home. I am not able to see anything linked in your signature but I think I know where to find it on the boards.

It is supposed to be in the 100's all week this week. I would like for us to be able to use the pool if at all possible this week. Will any of these "treatments" make the pool unusuable for any amount of time?

[PoolDoc]

The problem is that your pH is NOT 8.2 exactly, it's 8.2 or HIGHER. Higher, above borax levels (~9) gets irritating. So, we don't want to go there.

By "doing it for real" I mean, adding a LOT of soda ash, all at once, to drop out all the calcium and a lot of the iron. That will make your pool unusable for now. We do NOT have to do that right now. It sounds like the best idea would be to try the 2x dose, to see what happens, and then use the pH minus to take the pH back to just below 8.2

We can strip the rest of the calcium and metal, AFTER the 4th. Or, not at all, if you prefer. The metal doesn't look good, but it won't hurt anyone.

================================================== ==
I don't understand why you can't see my signature, and the only way I can find out is to log in as you. To do that, I have to change your password (I can change your password, but I can't see what it is, currently).

When I change your password, it will kick you off, but I'll email you the new password. You can then go back into your profile and change it back. I won't do this till after lunch (1 pm EST). Just to verify, you can't see THIS:

[sbrouillette]

Ok, I see now that the links are showing in some of your posts but not all of them. No need to try and fix it, I should try and open my eyes a little bit more

I will try the 2nd soda wash dose tonight and see what happens.

I have this: Kem-Tek (dry acid) sodium bisulfate 7lbs, how much of the pH minus should I add and when should I add it? How long do we need to wait before swimming in it after adding it?

Thanks again for the help!

[PoolDoc]

I'd broadcast 1 cup at a time, and wait 5 minutes. Retest pH after an hour.

By the way, I was not implying testing carelessness on your part -- there is some intrinsic variation in test results.

(We try not to clutter the page with all those sig blocks!)

[sbrouillette]

We were suprised at how much better the water looked yesterday evening! It is still green but seems to be getting a lighter green and it was much more clear.

I'm not sure if my vacuum isn't very good but when we vacuum the bottom it seems like it reallys stirs things up and then the water gets really cloudy. Not sure if I need to get a different vacuum or what. We have a wheeled one, the suction doesnt seem to be real great when we use it though.

Another question, what is the best way to take the filter out. When I take the filter out to clean it, it leaves behind a brown gross mess in the water. I shut the pump off when I pull it out, I rinse the filter out and then put it back in and turn the pump back on. Then all of that gross brown water gets shot out into my pool. It seems like there has to be a better way.

I am going to make my husband add the pH down this evening. I'm kind of scared to touch the stuff Do we need to dissolve it in a bucket first? Or just toss it in?

My readings this morning:
pH - 8.2
Ch - .5
TA - 340
Hardness - 360
CYA - dot didnt disappear

Thanks again for all the help!

[PoolDoc]

It would be best to dissolve it in a bucket.

Regarding filters, if you will get 2 or 3 of THESE cartridges, you'll get much better performance, and they will last all season:

Unicel C-4607 Replacement Filter Cartridge (Easy Set Size A or C) @ Amazon
Unicel C-5315 Replacement Filter Cartridge for 15 Square Foot Intex B Filter @ Amazon

The Unicel's filter better than the Intex cartridges, and should last all season. One caution: many online pool company's are shipping non-Unicel cartridges, but showing the Unicel number. Do NOT purchase a a cartridge, if the company lists OTHER brands, except Intex OEM specs. (If Filbur, Pleatco, etc. are listed . . . do NOT buy. Filbur is OK, but what you'll get is almost certainly a Chinese cartridge that's even LOWER quality than the Intex OEM!).

I'll try to get a filter cleaning sticky posted in the Equipment section, today.

I'm not sure (and haven't looked) to see just what filter you have. But you should be able to flush the filter, on most newer Intex pools, by bleeding water out of first one pipe, and then the other, while the filter is open.

[sbrouillette]

I do have the Unicel filters that I bought from Amazon.

This is the pool that we have
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Summer-Esc...osaic/19414900

There is only one pipe that runs from the filter.

[PoolDoc]

1. Open the filter.
2. Open the valve that runs from the filter to the pool. Let it flush that line, out the filter opening. Close the valve.
3. Open the valve on the line that runs from the pump to the pool. Let it flush that line, out the filter opening. Close the valve.

[sbrouillette]

Our water is absolutley crystal clear!!! I am still getting some brownish stuff at the bottom daily and my filter is almost always full of brownish gunk but the water is perfect! We are still working with the pH but otherwise it is perfect!!

[aylad]

Now aren't you glad you didn't give up?? We are, too! Enjoy your pool

Janet