New Pebble - first tests

[dawndenise]

I just realized that my CalHypo may not be shocking my pool as printed on the package. Package states that 1# of 62.4% calcium hypochlorite will shock a 16,500 gallon pool. Package states available chlorine is 60%.

Elsewhere on this forum, I jotted down a conversion of 1-1/2gallons (192 oz)of 5.25% bleach equals 1# of cal hypo. That should have triggered something right there, as there's no way even 1-1/2gals of 6% bleach can shock my pool, so there's no way 1# of cal hypo would either!

Again, elsewhere on this forum I found another ratio: 3cups (24 oz) 5.25% bleach is equivalent to 2cups+5oz (21oz) of 6% bleach in raising 1000 gallons 10ppm in Cl.

If my math holds, that means it takes 168oz of 6% bleach to equal 1# of cal hypo.

My shock level for my pool (17,000 gal) to go to 15ppm from 0 is 546 oz of 6% bleach.
So, again with the math, that would mean I need 3.25# of 65% cal hypo to shock my pool from 0 to 15. No wonder I'm only getting 6s on total chlorine with only 1 1lb package!

Before I start dumping more than 1 package into the pool at a time, could you please check my math and logic on this one?

Sandy

[dawndenise]

First - my bad. The 1# package of 62.4% CalHypo never claimed to shock a 16,500 gallon pool, it was 1 package per 8000 gallons. I got the 16,500 number from my OTHER brand of CalHypo, the 73% brand.

Now for good news. I added about 2# CYA yesterday, half about 1PM, 1/2 about 7PM. The pool actually held some Cl through the sunny day, but still only measured 1 total and less than .5 free at 8PM. At 8PM, added 1# of 73%CalHypo.

Total Cl added yesterday was 1# 62.4% CalHypo in the AM, 546 oz 6% bleach at 1PM, when my test showed 0 Cl, and 1# of 73% CalHypo.


This morning's readings show:
Cl 5+ (10+ on the 2x test, maybe 9 on the 3x test)
Free Cl 5+
pH 7.5
TA 80
CH 110

I think we're getting there. Will add appropriate amt of baking soda to raise TA today, as I didn't do that yesterday - already adding a lot of other stuff. This AM, I've already added my last 1# bag of the 62.4% CalHypo which should get me to the 15-16ppm mark.

I've also ordered stabilizer tests - don't plan on adding any more stabilizer until I can test.

I'm anxious to see if that amount of CYA I added yesterday might help hold chlorine today.

Question on the CH drop test: When I did the test yesterday, the initial color was a light pink, rather than red. Today, it barely looked like a pale pink. Adding drops changed the color, but to a very light green rather than a blue. Results still valid?

Thanks for all the help.
Sandy

[aylad]

The stabilizer you added yesterday probably won't fully dissolve and show up for at least 4-6 days....you need to wait at least that long to test for it again, or adding more.

Janet

[dawndenise]

By the time my tests arrive should be about perfect timing to test this dose of CYA. Thanks for the input.

Sandy

[dawndenise]

I'm confused. I'm having a hard time distinguishing mid-vial color changes when I do the 2x and 3x Cl testing. All I know for sure is that my Cl is 5+ and my free Cl is 5+. How long should I keep shocking my pool? Water color is clear, but I can stir up small gray clouds off the wall and floor when I brush. Today is windy and we have all of Lubbock and Amarillo blowing through and landing in my pool so I had some brown dirt clouds while brushing. My PB has yet to install my Polaris.

Yesterday 1PM, Cl 5+, free Cl 5+
Yesterday 7PM, Cl 2 , free 2
Added 1# 73% CalHypo (supposedly a shock level for 16,500 gallons)

This AM: Cl 5+
Free Cl 5+
pH 7.5 or slightly higher
TA 80
CH 110

I haven't added any baking soda in the past few days as I thought I might because right now my pH seems to be relatively stable.

Should I just give the 2x and 3x test results my best guess and treat accordingly to maintain a shock level? I really have no way of knowing if I've attained a shock level for more than a few minutes since we've had the pool.

Thanks for any advice.
Sandy

[y0manda]

Didnt know it was a good idea to shock a brand new pool heh oh well.