Looking for direction

[Watermom]

I've asked Ben to jump back in on this thread since you have so many issues on your hands. High CYA and TA. Super high CH. Etc.

[PoolDoc]

1. Stop adding ANYTHING but bleach.

2. Stop going to that pool store; neither their testing nor their recommendations are trustworthy. Remember, THEIR ADVICE put you in this situation. And without going into the technicalities, I can tell simply by looking at the numbers that their testing is bogus. Remember, pools stores make money when they sell chemicals, NOT when they solve problems. If they actually solved your problem, they'd sell less chemicals!

3. Go to Walmart or equivalent and get more STORE brand 8% bleach. Clorox from Sams is OK, since they only sell plain bleach (I think), but Walmart sells 'flavored' Clorox, which you do NOT want!

4. While at Walmart get a cheap OTO/phenol red drops test kit. Use it when you get home, and report results.

5. Order a K2006 kit ASAP -- try to get one from Amazon, if they have them. If not pick Amato Ind as a 3rd party seller. The 2 oz size is a better deal (K2006C). http://pool9.net/testkits

6. Really. Do NOT put any chemicals in, except bleach. Keep adding doses till you get a dark yellow OTO result.

7. Do NOT get a "compares to" cartridge: the way they 'compare' not a good way! Get a Unicel, Filbur or Hayward OEM, when you replace, and make SURE the cartridge itself is labeled Unicel, Filbur or Hayward! I don't know if you need a new cartridge, but here are Amazon links:

Cartridges for a Hayward CX1900RE

Unicel C-8420 Replacement Filter
Filbur FC-1211 Antimicrobial Replacement Filter Cartridge

[mrscabrera]

Ok. I'm back from Sams/Walmart. I didn't put in any chemicals today....just did a good vac. I bought 6 gallons of 8.25% bleach, and an OTO test kit. Ph is reading 7.2 and chlorine is barely registering. Looks like about 0.5
I'm going to put the bleach in now. How long should I wait to retest?

And does water temp matter? It's still a bit chilly.

[PoolDoc]

Add bleach in 2 gallon increments; allow 2 hours of pump operation before retesting.

Water temp doesn't matter . . . unless you're planning to swim today!

[mrscabrera]

Super. Thanks! I will report back this evening with new results.

PS..as an aside, I asked at the pool store specifically "Won't doing this raise my CYA even higher?" I was told the trichlor will not raise it. Bull Hockey. Aaaannnd DONE. I was already done before, but that just was the icing on top.

[PoolDoc]

I asked at the pool store specifically "Won't doing this raise my CYA even higher?" I was told the trichlor will not raise it.

!

Just wow.

[mrscabrera]

Retested....I'm having difficulty distinguishing between the varying degrees of yellow. My eyes are crossed from staring at it so hard. Ha!

I wish I could put a picture of the test on here.

I -think- it calculates to a chlorine level of 15. But I had to dilute the sample 4:1 just to get a read. Looks like it matches most closely with 3. So I multiple that by 5, right?