What to do first? CYA > 200 ppm

[CarlD]

Oh, just so you know, the cheapest way to get Soda Ash is to go to your grocery store and buy Arm and Hammer WASHING Soda, in the yellow box (not baking soda). Washing Soda is IDENTICAL to the pool store pH raisers but costs far less--around $.80/lb here in NJ. pH Raisers like pH Up! are nothing but Sodium Carbonate...Washing Soda.

That may well change your cost basis for the soda ash method.

[PoolLizard]

Oh, just so you know, the cheapest way to get Soda Ash is to go to your grocery store and buy Arm and Hammer WASHING Soda, in the yellow box (not baking soda). Washing Soda is IDENTICAL to the pool store pH raisers but costs far less--around $.80/lb here in NJ. pH Raisers like pH Up! are nothing but Sodium Carbonate...Washing Soda.

That may well change your cost basis for the soda ash method.

Thanks, Carl, I'll remember that.

[PoolLizard]

If/when I do a complete refill, should I follow PoolDoc's instructions here: http://tinyurl.com/lyu7bnr ?

Question though: I have not been able to find any commercial bleach in the local stores with a chlorine % on the bottle. And, most of them don't come in gallon jugs anymore! So, I've been buying 96 oz jugs at a local grocery store. Label name is "VALU TIME Bleach". I tried to find an MSDS for this product online and was unseccessful.

I did determine that one bottle of that bleach raises my FC level by one point.

So, what I'm getting at is, what and how much chemicals do I need to have on hand for the refill? I want to be prepared.

[PoolLizard]

Well, water is flowing. Started about 15 mins ago. I talked to a Water Co rep this morning. She said it would cost between $80 to $100 to refill. I think she's a little on the low side, but at least her estimate wasn't horribly high either.

[PoolDoc]

Good deal.

[PoolLizard]

Had some black algae spots on the bottom of the pool. Removed them with a wire brush. Refill is now in progress.

[PoolDoc]

Sounds good.