Options to Get Chemistry Back In Balance

[Stringrazor]

Got the borax and distilled water. The d-water didn't make any difference to the pH test. It's still showing about 6.8. I've added 2 rounds of 2 cups of borax and am also topping off the pool with city water (an inch or so). Pump is running.

[PoolDoc]

17K gallon pool? Confirmed pH level of 6.8?

Add a whole box at a time, slowly, via the skimmer.

[Stringrazor]

Got a TF-100 test kit and ran the tests (a few times):

As already stated, the basic kit shows CL > 5ppm (orange) and pH at ~6.8.

FC - 41ppm
CYA - 180
TA - 180
CC - 0
CH - 900

Is my only option to change out the water and start over($$$!!!)?

[PoolDoc]

OK. Your water has multiple problems. Your heater is at risk.

When was the last time you replaced your water?

And, you better post pH/ alk / calc test levels for your fill water -- presumably this is your tap water. Your tap water may not be much better; if so draining won't help much.

However, if your water is clear, I'd go ahead and swim. Just don't wear a swimsuit you are in love with. FC=40 at CYA=180 is not going to be a problem for most people. It may be a problem for fashion swimwear, and for colored or permed hair -- I'm not sure. FC=40 @ CYA=0 would definitely be a problem for swimwear and treated hair.

But dermatologists routinely put people, even babies, in "bleach baths" at FC=50-100@CYA=0.

[Stringrazor]

I'll post the tap water tests tomorrow. I've never completely drained the pool. I used to take it down a couple of inches 2 or 3 times a season to clean the filter but with the cost of water out here, I've learned to clean the filter out using much less water. # years ago, I had a bad leak, Turned out a tree root under the deck had cracked a pipe and it was fixed. Before that though, I was losing an inch a day for a while. At one point it was down 18-24" and I let it go because i was out of work and money was tight. That was a bad decision because the plaster below the tile line flaked off in some areas so I need to re-plaster at some point, in the off season so I'm not crazy about the idea of changing water out now.

Should I continue with the borax? If I can get the pH up will the CYA come down on it's own eventually? I've read that there are Pool RO services out here where water is expensive. Guess I should look into that cost, though if I have to re-plaster I will need to drain it at some point.

[PoolDoc]

With TA=180 and CH=900, do NOT raise the pH!

It would be very, very easy on your pool to precipitate a cloud of calcium carbonate (lime dust) and turn your pool into 'milk'.