*SIGH* Looks Like I Have da' Mustard

[Tom.B]

Well, after five days, the Kem-Tek did virtually nothing to lower my phosphates. It's still at, or near 1000 :-( I have just added another dose (1 quart) and we will see what happens. I wonder if the high FC reduces its effect. Nothing on the label addresses it.

[PoolDoc]

How are you testing? With the Aqua-Chek, or the Taylor? ( I scanned back very quickly, but didn't see)

The reason I'm asking is that I found the Aqua Check and the Taylor matched fairly well below 1 ppm, but not above. At 1 ppm or higher, the AquaCheck made no distinctions -- with samples with 1 ppm and 3 ppm PO4 appearing identical to me.

If you're using the Aqua Check, you need to dilute your test samples to results of 0.5 PO4 or less, and then multiple back. (Mix 1/4 cup fill water with 3/4 cup distilled water, test, then multiple x4).

[Tom.B]

Taylor K-1106

[PoolDoc]

I don't know what to say.

Go ahead and retest -- as carefully as you can -- your pool water, now.

Then test again after 5 or 6 days. Be sure to run your filter most of the time.

. . . just had another thought. Do the DE test on your filter: http://pool9.net/de-test/ If the filter doesn't trap the phosphates, they won't be removed.

[Tom.B]

GOOD NEWS!!

FC-9
CC-.5
pH-7.4
TA-90
CH-310
CYA-70
PO4----- WAIT FOR IT--- 125 :-D

Looks like the second dose (or a combination of the TWO doses) finally lowered my phosphate level. I may continue to add small doses, but that might be a bit pie-in-the-sky. Maybe instead, I should hang on to the other two bottles to counteract evaporation as I add my, apparently, high-phosphate municipal water. Because I certainly don't want it to rain enough to keep it full :-D

Now I just need to monitor things, keep "Best Guessing" the chlorine level and see where things go. Thanks 1x10^6. At this point in previous years, I would have already spend many, many, many hundreds of dollars and gotten nowhere. Sure, the test kit, and the stuff from Wally World has been a couple hundred (plus) for sure, but I also have a pool education like I have never had before.

I'll keep you posted how it goes. Thanks again!

[PoolDoc]

You'll definitely want to use small doses of the PO4 remover each time you add water. It doesn't take much phosphate in the water to be 'enough' for the algae to live on. I suspect that the Kem-Tek product may be rather slower acting, which would explain why it doesn't cloud the water so badly.

Your pool is about 400 gallons per inch; a reasonable PO4 remover dose would be 2 tablespoons each time you add an inch of water.

Your calcium is fairly high; use borax rather if you need to raise the pH, to avoid adding carbonates.

And . . . tell me what the water looks like? And whether all traces of algae are gone.

One other thing -- lots of people end up asking about vacations 3 - 4 days before they go. Don't do that -- plan now. I'd recommend having 4 quarts of polyquat on hand. If you add a quart when you leave, and have a neighbor pour a quart in 1/2 way through AND you keep your phosphates low, you should have an excellent chance of returning to a clear pool.

[Tom.B]

Water looks fine with no signs of algae... now.

I know my CA is high, but my pH seems to stay pretty stable. I just used baking soda to raise my TA from 70 to 90 a few days ago. (thread in alk forum). I had to add another 500-600 gallons of municipal water today, so I will put some more Kem-Tek in now.

What is polyquat?

[Watermom]

60% Polyquat is the only algaecide we recommend. Most pools don't need it although sometimes we suggest using it for various reasons, one being if you are going to be gone for awhile and unable to attend the pool. It can't prevent algae, but it can help to make it less likely that if your chlorine dips a little low that algae will start. Some people add some upon closing the pool in the fall. I never use it but others do.

add link: http://pool9.net/polyquat/
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