Pool is a swamp

[docwagner]

Greetings, new participant here. I thought I posted this question already, but I'm not sure I followed all the rules. So I'm going to throw it out there again. I have a vinyl lined in ground pool that hasn't been opened in 6+ years. It was covered, but the cover ripped and it has been uncovered for several years. The water is very dirty and brown brown and there is 2 to 3 inches of debris, mostly leaves at the bottom. I need to try and open the pool and I've talked to several folks including my local pool store, who always wants to sell me expensive chemicals. I did buy two kinds of shock, one regular granulated and the other liquid with an algaecide. I also bought a scooping device which is how I know what is on the bottom. Did mention the frogs? Many frogs and tadpoles. I want to do this as efficiently as possible and with the least cost. Before I dump $100 of shock in my concern is with that degree of debris I feel like the shock won't do much so I am thinking I need to debulk the debris load. I have friends willing to help scoop for beers so I might be able to get some of it that way. There is also a lot of small particulate mater floating which of course is worse when we scoop. I haven't yet fired up the filter, that is another issue, but I think it will gag on this amount of particulate and I'm wondering if I should get a trash pump and pump the water through some kind of alternative filter device. I envisioned a trash can with drain holes that can drain into the pool with a layer of batting at the bottom to strain the particulate much like a big fish aquarium filter. I know I shouldn't drain the pool, vinyl liner and all and I do not want to have to replace the liner. It wasn't that old before we closed the pool. Can I use something cheaper than the pool store shock to shock the pool - bleach perhaps? I look forward to your comments, Cheers.

[Watermom]

Start with scooping out as much of the debris as you can as you mentioned. When you are ready to start the pump and chlorinate, you can just use plain unscented household bleach to shock with. Do a lot of reading here on the forum and also on our sister website www.poolsolutions.com. I would also suggest that you go ahead and order a good kit. The one we recommend is the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C which is a better buy. You won't be able to buy it locally but can get it through the link in my signature below. If you go ahead and order it, you'll have it to help you clean up your swamp. After you get most of the debris out, repost and someone here can help you get started.

[PoolDoc]

My bad -- didn't read your post very carefully, and made stupid recommendations (which I deleted) as a result. Sorry.

OK. Beer party tactics:

1. Make sure you have enough tools for your party goers to work effectively. If there aren't enough GOOD tools, the guys without tools (or with crappy ones) end up focusing on beer rather than leaves.

2. Get tools they can't easily break -- that means fiberglass poles rather than aluminum ones.

3. Attempt a quick clean up first: they will get a LOT more done, if they can see what they are doing. Try to start the pump pump on RECIRCULATE (filter bypass) using ONLY the skimmer. If you can, leave it on, and add 6 gallons of PLAIN household bleach for every 10,000 gallons of water. (Repeat as needed.) Once that's done, engage the filter IF you have a sand filter. Do NOT engage a DE filter; only engage a cartridge filter if you can easily clean it.

4. Get tools -- you probably can't get the tools you need, locally. Amazon links below.

5. Order a K2006, test your water, and make sure you don't have any serious water problems to resolve. Kit links in blue signature box. But, a local HTH 6-way (sometimes found at Walmart) will give you the info you need at present.

5. Good luck, and let us know how much beer it takes!

Purity Pool 18-Inch Lightweight Professional Leaf Rake, Tuff Duty Model
Purity Pool PPSKM Pelican Pro 18-Inch Professional Skimmer Net
Hydro Tools 8375 8-16 ft Adjustable Commercial Fiberglass Telescopic Pool Pole[
Pentair R211046 185B Leaf Eater with Wheels and Brushes (Do NOT get a cheap Asian made version of this -- I've tried them and they are junk!!)

You'll need leaf rakes more than you'll need skimmer nets. The Leaf Eater will NOT handle sticks and twigs, but will be very helpful for cleanup once you've gotten big stuff out.

[docwagner]

Thanks for the reply. Your recommendations are very appreciated. I agree about the beer. My friends are more mature and hopefully we can stay focused. I will try and fire up the pump this weekend and run it as you suggest. We have a sand filter not a cartridge. I haven't looked at the sand yet, that is on my list. I actually have a scooper just like the one you suggest that I got at my local pool store, $10 more than amazon but nevertheless. I asked for heavy duty and that is what I got. I have an aluminum pole and will look locally for fiberglass. I also have that leaf-eater gadget. I ordered new bags for it. Now need to find plain old bleach. I think the pool is 35,000 gallons, but will double check. My local pool store has a fee water testing service. I know they just will want to sell me chemicals, but if you think I need my own test kit I will get one. I read on your other site something about calcium not being necessary with vinyl lined pools. Did I read that right??
Cheers,

[Watermom]

Calcium is not a critical issue with vinyl unless it gets really high in which case you can have cloudy water issues. We think everyone needs a good kit. Go ahead and order it. You won't regret it!

[PoolDoc]

Now need to find plain old bleach. I think the pool is 35,000 gallons, but will double check. My local pool store has a fee water testing service. I know they just will want to sell me chemicals, but if you think I need my own test kit I will get one. I read on your other site something about calcium not being necessary with vinyl lined pools. Did I read that right??

=> Walmart store brand 8% sodium hypochlorite bleach is fine, and available almost everywhere. Plus, it's fresh.

=> There are a few pool stores with accurate testing, but very few. They have no incentive: bad testing leads to increased chemical sales!

=> Test strips = inaccurate testing, always. The stabilizer (cyanuric acid) test is especially bad.

=> Calcium can be too high, in a vinyl pool, but normally not too low.

[docwagner]

Sounds like I need to do my own testing. Will get the test kit. The calcium questions goes to the credibility of my pool store. They have recommended adding lots of calcium over the years and we had done it. They also told me I shouldn't use bleach as a chlorine additive because it would hurt my pool. Just seeking the truth. I think I need to reevaluate my relationship.