swim after bleach?

[poolhelp101]

didn't know whether to address the ph and hardness or not before getting the chlorine level up so i went ahead and started adding bleach...was going to add 4 gallons(my cya is 60 and i have 20,000 gallons) but after adding the second gallon i noticed the pool to cloud...since i am new to bleach...would you please tell me if that is normal and if i should go ahead and add the rest of the bleach tonight? thank you

[ChuckD]

didn't know whether to address the ph and hardness or not before getting the chlorine level up so i went ahead and started adding bleach...was going to add 4 gallons(my cya is 60 and i have 20,000 gallons) but after adding the second gallon i noticed the pool to cloud...since i am new to bleach...would you please tell me if that is normal and if i should go ahead and add the rest of the bleach tonight? thank you

In the interest of getting you an answer (albeit a bit later than you needed) I'll throw a couple pence in here. First stop getting your water analyzed at the pool store. Keep your testing consistent, meaning test it yourself the same way every time. One of my biggest suspicions about taking a sample out to a store for testing is how the sample degrades in the process. I suppose if the store's down the block it may not be too bad, but what if the pool store stop is one of several errands you have to run? The sample may sit in your car (in the sun?), the sample can be mishandled by the PS employee, the equipment may not be maintained too well, etc, etc. So for that reason, I firstly support aylad's suspicion that you may have something else going on, and I suggest you provide your own CL measurements to the forum.

C.

[poolhelp101]

i have posted my results and i agree about pool stores and samples. my results was higher ph than pool store got, mine is 7.8. i did as aylad suggested, a day later but i did begin it....i stopped after the second gallon being added as the water began to get more cloudy while adding the bleach...so i stopped and posted the question if that is normal and should i continue on the shock to 20??? this morning, the pool is cloudy, can see the bottom, but is more cloudy than before adding the bleach... i'm hoping to get advise if that's is normal and just keep on with the bleach???????

[Simmons99]

poolhelp,

Now I am no expert - but I have seen many people come to this forum with the same problem as you and there have been several people trying to help them. They all say the same thing - 1. Get a good test kit, 2. Test your own water 3. DON'T add anything (clarifier, etc.) unless told to 4. bring chlorine up to shock levels for your CYA reading 5. test 2-3 times a day to bring up your chlorine level back to shock until you can hold a chlorine level overnight 6. run filter 24/7 & 7. be patient

I have yet to see someone who followed the instructions go away without the problem being resolved

Just my 2 cents

[poolhelp101]

i have no problem following the advise given me and i am trying to. i have read alot of the posts and i will do what is told me as i see everyone is very satisfied with the advise they get. i am too, just have questions as i go and i am far from an expert on anything. maybe i'm asking too many questions?? i appreciate all help that is given me. i do have a pretty good test kit...i was too late in finding out about Ben's kit to order one but i definetely will next season.... but when it started to cloud while adding bleach, i thought it was best to stop and ask if that was normal...but i still don't have that answer.... is normal to cloud like that while adding bleach and is your advise to continue on with the bleach in this case??????

[Watermom]

Janet gave you good advice as always. Go ahead with the bleach. The bleach is not causing the cloudy water. With cya of 60, you let your chlorine drop way too low and you may have the beginnings of an algae bloom. Sometimes that is what cloudy water can mean - it doesn't necessarily have to be green to mean algae is trying to get a foothold on your pool. Shock it and keep the cl high for a few days and run the pump 24/7. You should see it starting to clear within a few days hopefully. Then, make sure your cl stays within range in the future.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=365
Hope this helps.

[poolhelp101]

thank you so much for the reply. and i apologize...i should have explained what happened a little better. the pool was clear, just lacked sparkle and this was when i let it dropped way too low...then as i was adding the bleach last night..it started to cloud..i'm sure of that..that the bleach was making it cloud up..i could see the it coming thru the jets.. could i possibly be having another type of problem since you said the bleach isn't making it cloudy...something was and it was when i was adding the bleach. i hope you aren't getting frustrated with me asking so many questions and i am not questioning anything you are telling me, i have read thru this forum and you guys are helping everyone. i just want to make sure we are both on the same page as to what was going on with what i was doing so you can help me. thanks...please please advise