I stopped by our local pool shop this morning on my way to work and they tested samples of our pool water and well water for nitrates. They are using a computerized system and it only gives out readings on nitrates up to 80, which is where our pool water is at... so at this time, I do not know how high our nitrates actually are, just that they are at least 80.

The good news is that our well water was clear of nitrates, so the new water I can add is not making the problem worse.

Aylad - Unfortunately, I did not see your post until I got to work, so I did not have the well water tested for metals yet; I will do so tomorrow. Just to confirm, the metals you are referring to are the iron and copper that the pool shop included in the test yesterday? (Are there any other metals I need to have tested for?)

The pool shop folks said it was useless to add chemicals to the pool until the nitrates were lower and the only thing I can do is replace the water. They were really busy and did not have time to run a full water test; their thought was that if the nitrates are through the roof, it does not really matter what the other results were.

My wife is picking up one of the Walmart pool water testing kits today and I will post those results here tomorrow; I will also order one of the Taylor K-2006 kits you are recommending. Given that it will take a few days for that kit to arrive; I'm hoping I can make some progress on the pool situation while waiting for the better kit.

I have thought about possibly running a high CYA/chlorine pool; before I make that call, can you tell me if people with sensitive skin might have a reaction to this type of water?

Waterbear - Sorry I screwed up with only adding a partial amount of the bleach; my plan was to add the full amount over the weekend when I have more time to devote to the pool. I thought it would be okay to pick up a portion of the bleach on my way home from work last night to get things started and then add the rest over the weekend. Lesson learned!

Given that my pool has very high CYA and nitrates, it is looking like at least a partial drain and replace will have to be done. If so, do you folks feel it is best to just drain the whole pool and start over with trucked in water; or would a gradual drain and replacement (6,000 gallons at a time) be a better way to go?

If we go with a gradual refill, my thought was to try and kill two birds with one stone if possible... get the chlorine levels up high right now to kill the algae bloom; I can then vacuum out the dead algae when I lower the pool water in preparation for the arrival of the trucked-in water. If I go this route, at least my pool will be free of algae once we have the nitrates and CYA in check.