Quote Originally Posted by cbuchin View Post
So, to reduce the alkalinity I should use the method on your site with 'slow' aeration from uncovered pool?
Yes, just be careful to not let your pH go below 6.8 -- you MUST keep it a bit higher than the lowest point on your pH scale (6.8 on the K1000 or HTH 6-way; 7.0 on the K2006). Otherwise you risk going into the 'below' zone, as in "6.8 or below". Having your pool at 6.0 or an extended period might damage your liner; having it at 5.0 is very likely to do so.

The new sand does seem to be slowly clearing things
Good. You'll mostly have to filter the precipitated calcium carbonate out.

I'm hoping not to have to use the floc again since I seem to be a very bad vacuum-er - stirred everything back up.
It's a learned skill . . . and one I'm beginning to realize not everyone has learned.

One gallon raises about 2ppm in 30,000 gallon pool?
Your pools PF is 4.4 (see the signature data). This means 1 lb of 100% stabilizer will add 4.4 ppm CYA to your pool (if it dissolved fully!). It also means that 1 lb of dichlor -- 55% available chlorine -- will add about 2.4 ppm FC to your pool => 4.4 x 0.55.

One gallon of 6% bleach has about 1/2 lb of chlorine gas equivalent in it, so => 4.4 x 0.5 = 2.2 ppm FC