Chlorine Lock

[jayredlegs]

I was afraid of that reply...! and :-( So am I better off adding bleach to keep FC levels per the best-guess-chart, and stopping tabs and granule stabilized shocking to help with the CYA which I know will take time?

[PoolDoc]

I think at this point we have to assume that you don't . . . and therefore that we don't . . . really know much of anything about the condition of your water.

All that we've really established is that (a) your pool store is utterly untrustworthy, and (b) that you're worried about your pool.

But, we really don't have ANY valid data about the condition of your pool water, or about what kind of pool and equipment you have.

Do you have a K2006? If not, what?

[jayredlegs]

I do have a K2006. Pool is 16x32, 17,500 gallons, vinyl liner. Appearance of water is crystal clear.

My CYA tests are not working, I've tried to dilute with 1/2 pool and 1/2 tap to get a reading, but may have to go 1/3s. My numbers as of Monday were:
FC 4
pH 7
TA 80
CYA - Guessing 200, was 165 per store test, and I cannot get a reading, and I don't trust them.

Since then I've drained 2' out of the pool, replenished. At this point I really need to try to get an accurate CYA reading so I know how much to FC to add (guessing per the best guess chart I need FC 8-15). I'm afraid CYA will still be high though. I can't effectively drain the pool any lower as I'm on a well. I will try another CYA reading soon.

I bought this house/pool last year and continued what the owner was using, stabilized tabs and trichlor which I'm learning is not my friend given it's been used and likely accumulating over the 10 years this pool has been here.

Any other advice welcomed, I'm new to the forum and apologies for not giving the pool water condition/other pertinent information in advance.

[PoolDoc]

1. Run your chlorine level up to 15 ppm. From what you say, you know your CYA > 100 ppm, so 10 ppm is appropriate

2. Add a box of borax, to bring your pH up a bit.

3. Get a gallon of *distilled* (MUST be distilled) at Walmart. Once your chlorine is 10 ppm or higher, mix 1/4 cup pool water with 1/4 cup distilled, then test pH. No adjustment factor needed.

4. Mix 1/4 cup pool water with 3/4 cup distilled. Be as accurate as possible in proportions. Mix, and test CYA. Multiply your result x4.

[jayredlegs]

Here is the latest

FC 16
Ph 7.6
TA 80
CH 450
CYA 400