Chlorine block-need recommendations

[Watermom]

Yeah, try that CH test again. Did you do the CYA test? What kind of shock --- ingredients, please. You are using the K-2006 kit, right?

[Jess6521]

Ok this time I got CH of 260. CYA I can't get it to read because both times I tried the solution wouldn't cloud. Yes 2006 c test kit. Here's what we put in last night: 2 gallons liquid shock- (sodium hypochlorite 12.5%nand 12 bags (1 lb each) calcium hypochlorite 73%. Ugh so frustrating...I'm lost. Lol. Thanks for any help.

[Darkside]

it can get frustrating but just do what the mods say and you will get your pool whipped into shape. with regarts to CYA, are you confident you are doing the test correctly? if so then it sounds like you have very little or no CYA at all, and you will need to get some in there if thats the case. im running high CYA ( around 110/120ppm ) and love it, but high CYA may not be the best bet for all. most folks will run around 50ppm CYA.

[PoolDoc]

CYA I can't get it to read because both times I tried the solution wouldn't cloud.

That just means you have ZERO stabilizer present. You might want to watch the videos, here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?17157

[Jess6521]

We are conducting our bucket test currently on the third teaspoon of bleach added to the sample. Getting a 13 of FC and a zero on CC....

==============================

I'm also realizing, as I read the bucket page again that this may not be for me. When we dosed with bleach we held chlorine overnight, but then lost it by noon. Sigh...what to do now.

[PoolDoc]

I'm also realizing, as I read the bucket page again that this may not be for me. When we dosed with bleach we held chlorine overnight, but then lost it by noon. Sigh...what to do now.

Add stabilizer
OR
Use dichlor to chlorinate.

Dichlor is probably the easiest -- for every ppm of chlorine, you'll end up with not quite a ppm of stabilizer.. If you'll complete the pool chart form, I can figure doses for you:

Pool Chart Entry Form
Pool Chart Results

Your two best dichlor options are probably here:

24 lbs PoolBrand bagged shock @ Sams Club
Kem-Tek Dichlor 22 lbs @ Amazon

It's available elsewhere, but it's often diluted with 'goop'. And, depending on what the goop is, it can cause no end of problems. Kmart, Walmart and most pool stores are selling 'goop' versions of dichlor. The dichlor above is plain "sodium dichloro-isocyanurate dihydrate", 55.5% available chlorine.

[Jess6521]

Ok I filled in the chart...this link actually worked for me. Let me know your thoughts, and thanks for your time!

[PoolDoc]

Ok. You need the dichlor ASAP. Your pool is large enough, so that if you can get it at Sams Club, you may want the 50# bucket instead of the 24 1lb bags.

Meanwhile, add 2 gallons of PLAIN 6% household bleach (4 ppm of chlorine) to your pool each evening. 1 gallon of *fresh* liquid chlorine is an OK replacement.

Plain dichlor is hard to find locally, but stabilizer (cyanuric acid) is sometimes available. If you can find some, put 4 lbs or so in an old athletic sock, and put it in the skimmer. You do NOT want the CYA granules in the folds of your System 3 beast cartridge!

List what chemicals you have on hand, if any, so we can see what you can go ahead and use up.