Still no chlorine and sometimes high ph

[mimidjets]

I have been trying to get my chlorine level to stay up. I put 1 1/2 gallons of bleach at least every other day. I just purchased the hth 6-way test kit from walmart. I just did the chlorine test water was clear. I guess that means no chlorine, ph was 8.2 maybe over. I just added another 1 1/2 of bleach. I am going to wait about 30 minutes and test again. I will add another bottle of bleach before I go to bed tonight and retest in the morning. My water is crystal clear but I guess that's because I have been adding bleach to keep it that way. The temperatures here are in the triple digits so I know that is stripping my chlorine.

[Watermom]

Unfortunately, there is not enough information in your post to be able to offer you any help.

Please post a set of current water testing results and tell us what kind of kit you are using. Also, list everything you have put into the water -- meaning ingredients and not just 'chlorine' or 'shock.'

Lastly, it will help you get better advice from us if you put your pool's information in our pool chart. Then, somebody here can try and help you.

Pool Chart Entry Form

[AnnaK]

Have you ever put any stabilizer in your water? It's also known as cyanuric acid (CYA) or sometimes balancer. You are using an HTH 6-way kit which does have the cyanuric acid test in it. Can you please tell us what the results of that were? Also, what is your alkalinity?

[mimidjets]

I just filled out the form for you.

I put 1 1/2 gallons of bleach this afternoon. About an hour later I tested it with the hth 6-way from Walmart. Here were the readings A-240; C-5; B-10;PH-8.2;H-70. Filter pump running 24/7.

I did do the CYA test, but I guess I did it wrong because it said to watch it until the black dot disappears, but it never disappeared. Have not used any stabilizer. Can I use that with the SWG?

Should I put another 1 1/2 gallons of bleach tonight and retest in the morning? Water is perfectly clear. A little salty but clear and soft.

[mimidjets]

I am still trying to learn to navigate through this forum. I filled out the Pool Chart but I don't know where it went. I have a 24ft x 52 in. above ground pool that holds 10472 gallons of water. I just put the pool up about a month ago. I also have the SWG. I opened with 5 bags of salt which later found out it wasn't quite enough so I added another bag and a half for a total of 6 1/2 bags. I only ran the SWG for 4 hours, which I also found out later that wasn't near long enough. My water turned green of course! I found this forum and was helped tremendously to get my water clear again by using bleach. My water is clear but I am having trouble keeping the chlorine level up and the ph level down. This morning I added a gallon and a half of bleach. Went to work, came home at 5, tested it with the hth 6-way from Walmart. It showed no chlorine. I added another gallon and a half. Tested again and got these readings: ALK - 240; Chl- 5; Bro-10; PH- 8.2; Hardness- 70. My SWG is off but my Intex Cartridge filter pump is running 24/7. Should I add another bottle of bleach tonight and retest in the morning?

[PoolDoc]

Hi Mimi;

Your CYA reading is 0, which explains why the dot didn't disappear . . . and also why you can't keep chlorine in your pool. You need to add chlorine, add stabilizer and lower your pH. Dichlor will do all three, though you'll probably still need some acid.

If you have a Sams Club nearby, get some of their bagged dichlor; otherwise order the Kem-Tek from Amazon. You may be able to find it locally, but do NOT do that yet, because most locally sold dichlor is blended and diluted goo -- you need to be an expert 'chemical label inspector' before you try to purchase locally (except for Sams!).

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

Keep adding 1 gallon each PM till you have the dichlor.

Also, your Pool Chart reading didn't take; I don't know why. But it goes to a spreadsheet that I and the moderators can see. However, we're in the middle of transferring much of that data to individual member signature, so we'll be able to see your pool info, each time you post a question. SO . . . . if you would, please have another go at completing it.

Finally, take a look at the muriatic acid page linked in my signature; with a pH of 8.2, you probably need to read that, as well.

Good luck!

[mimidjets]

I was under the impression that using the SWG, I didn't have to do the stabilizer. I went with the SWG to keep from having all of these problems, but so much for that! I don't understand why the SWG doesn't fix the chlorine. Isn't that supposed to take the salt and turn it in to chlorine?

[aylad]

The SWCG takes the salt and turns it into chlorine for the pool. However, the sun quickly uses up the chlorine in the pool unless you have stabilizer in it. Think of stabilizer (CYA) as "sunscreen" for your chlorine. Without it, the sun will consume all the chlorine your SWCG put out within an hour or two. With CYA, that chlorine is left in the pool to combat algae and bacteria, and safe from the sun. So you do need to add the CYA--but you need to check your owner's manual to see what CYA level they specify for your particular unit. Not only will the CYA protect your chlorine from the sun, but it also will help your SWCG operate at its most efficient, which will in turn prolong the life of your cell. Each unit calls for its own optimal CYA level, but most want you to run it between 60-80 ppm.

The good news is that once you get your CYA where you want it, you shouldn't have to add any more for the remainder of the swim season, unless you have a tremendous amount of splashout or frequent filter cleanings.

[Watermom]

Ben is suggesting using dichlor for awhile in your pool which will add the CYA you need as well as chlorine. (It will also help lower your pH which is too high.) You'll need to test your CYA every few weeks while using the dichlor and when it is at the level recommended by your SWCG manual, then you'll want to stop using it.