Getting ready to open 40k gal pool AKA "the Swamp"

[KJohnston]

4 hours later test shows
FC: 21
CC: 1.5
I will add 4 more jugs of 10% bleach now, it will probably go down quick when the sun comes up since it went down a lot in the dark! But I am going to bed and will check it when I get up. Should I get some dichlor to use instead of bleach to raise my CYA? My bleach is 128 oz jugs. In the dark with a flash light shining in the pool, I can tell the water has changed already. Its not so dark green! I can't wait to see it later today! Just let me know what ppm I want to hold the chlorine. Thank you!!

[Watermom]

Take a look at the Best Guess Chlorine Chart in my signature below. It gives the correlation between CYA and needed chlorine levels. With a concrete pool, it isn't so critical that you don't take the chlorine level too high as it is with a vinyl pool. Bleach or dichlor is up to you. Both will clean up the pool. With dichlor, you'll have to keep an eye on your CYA after a bit so it doesn't get too high. If you do decide to use dichlor, you have to be careful what you buy. If you have access to a Sams Club, you can get some there that is ok to use. You have to be wary of most other local sources of dichlor, since it's become common to sell 'diluted dichlor' at 1/2 strength but full price. Links below.

PoolBrand granular dichlor 50lbs @ Sams Club => ~$2.20/lb (May 2014 in Chattanooga)
PoolBrand dichlor bagged shock 24lbs @ Sams Club => ~$2.50/lb (May 2014 in Chattanooga)

Kem-Tek dichlor 22 lbs @ Amazon => ~$3.50/lb (May 2014)
Kem-Tek dichlor 12 lbs @ Amazon => ~$4.10/lb (May 2014)
Kem-Tek dichlor 5 lbs @ Amazon => ~$5.00/lb (May 2014)
Kem-Tek dichlor 2 lbs @ Amazon => ~$9.00/lb (May 2014)

Keep in mind that Amazon products normally ship free; and that in many parts of the country, you will not have to pay sales tax. Shipping + tax can increase the cost from other suppliers by 15 - 40%, so compare delivered cost, not nominal price.

[KJohnston]

Its blue! Super cloudy but blue! So should I keep it at 30 ppm? Today its down to 2.5 so I think I will clean the filters and then add 10 more jugs. I will order some dichlor from amazon. Thanks so much!
Edited to add: I just bought the 12 lb dichlor from amazon. I should get it Saturday, If I just add all 12 lbs at once then that should raise the cya a little. Then just keep using bleach after that. Does that sound ok?
Also, do I need to lower ph now, or will the dichlor help with that? I have some muriatic acid if I need to use that. Or do I just work on getting the pool clear, then worry about the ph?

[Watermom]

Dichlor will push your pH down but you need to test the pH when the chlorine level is not high to get an accurate reading. High chlorine levels cause the pH test to read falsely high.

[KJohnston]

I checked the pH when the chlorine was zero. It was always high last year too. I am going to Walmart to get more bleach tonight. I added 11 more jugs this afternoon. I've been shooting for the 30 ppm because it is so gross but do you think I can go lower until I add the CYA anyway? I am almost afraid to see what the bottom looks like because we brush, then use the leaf rake to collect the slimy mess that comes up and I just know there is probably a lot of algae under that stuff.

[Watermom]

Yes, with no CYA, your shock level doesn't need to be so high.

[KJohnston]

The pool is still cloudy but clearing up. I have been vacuuming a lot and I have what may be white mold. At first I thought I had killed a bunch of frogs because it kind of looked like frog skin (very disgusting!), it was slimy snotty some was green some more white/pinkish. I have been keeping the chlorine 20-30 ppm but I swear this slimy stuff is just multiplying! So do I need to add anything else for that or just keep bleaching? Also, I have 32 boxes of borax. I was going to get the pool clear then add the borax but should I go ahead and add it now to get some borates in there?

[Watermom]

For now, just keep the chlorine high and keep the pump running. I would worry about getting the pool cleared first before adding the borates. I'll ask Ben to take a look at this thread and see if he has any other suggestions for you.

[PoolDoc]

The "slimy stuff" may be the oxidized remnants of goo and leaves left in your pool.

Have you ever brushed and vacuumed the pool?

1. Do not add the borax yet. Do keep the chlorine up.

2. Brush the ENTIRE pool. Everything. Even if it doesn't seem to need it. Even if you can't see it perfectly.

3. Wait a day, and then vacuum the entire pool.

4. Tell me what kind -- make / model / size -- of filter you have. Odds are, you'll need a new cartridge.

5. Don't get unrealistic expectations: you chlorinated on the 15th; today's the 19th and you are showing evidence of physical debris left in the pool. Don't expect clear water before the 26th; don't expect crystal clear water before the 1st -- and not at all if your cartridge needs replacing.

6. Next time you clean your cartridge (right after you vacuum!), take pictures and send them to poolforum@gmail.com That way I can do more than guess about whether it needs to be replaced. Notice the brand, if you can: if it's not Sta-Right, Unicel, or Filbur . . . it needs to be replaced.

[KJohnston]

We have been brushing and scooping out goo since I put the chlorine in the first time. Yesterday was the first time to vacuum. I am pretty sure I need new cartridges, I've already priced some and will order soon. Should I get them in there quick or wait til the goo is gone before putting the new ones in? My filter is Sta-Rite System 3, S7M120, it uses the 100 square foot and the 200 square foot cartridges. My pump is Hayward Northstar 2.5 hp. I have replaced the t-ring and have ordered new drain plugs for the pump and a new o-ring for the tank of the filter and a drain plug for it too. Thank you so much for helping me!! I know you all can help me get my pool clean and clear!
Edited to add: I've bee vacuuming with the leaf vacuum thing so it hasn't been going through the filter. Next time I vacuum I'm going to try putting some panty hose under the bag to see if that will catch more dirt. We have a dirt road right behind our backyard(wasn't there when the pool went in!) and now our pool gets a lot of dirt in it, yay
I'll take pics and send them as soon as I clean the filter.