Clear, but no chlorine???

[BigDave]

I'm glad to hear that the "mineral" cartridge hasn't been replaced - those things kinda make me angry because they're sold on false promises.

Do the bucket test and let us know what you find in it.

Do be sure to keep chlorine in the pool - it will be much harder to clean up a full fledged algae bloom.

[mary jo]

Good Morning! I just checked the bucket of test water and the bucket is white- no staining at all. I added 1 jug of bleach to my pool yesterday morning, and 1 last evening and this morning the FC=0, CC=1, pH=7.2
What do you suggest now?

[BigDave]

I recommend that you bring the FC to shock level. At CYA 150ppm, 20% shock level is 30ppm FC. In 26K gallons it'll take 10 jugs (not jubs ) of 8.25% to get there from FC 0ppm. All at once. Pour the bleach around the pool so it's not concentrated in one place.

Keep the filter running 24/7. Keep FC at 30ppm until you lose less than 1 ppm FC overnight, you have 0 or nearly 0 CC and the pool is clear. Run the pump 24x7 while shocking. Leave the pool cover open if you can - some of the byproducts produced while shocking the pool may damage the cover.

[mary jo]

OK- bought 12 jugs of bleach this morning. I have 15,000 gallon pool. Should I wait until tonight (after sundown)? Also- how exactly do I test for FC of 30- dilute a pool water sample like I did for the CYA test?

[BigDave]

I just re-read about the Tuesday pool party - perhaps you should wait until after the party to shock. In that case, pour 5 jugs 8.25% and be ready to add more. Test FC/CC twice daily (early morning and evening). Add bleach as needed to keep FC at 15. If it drops below 8, test / dose more often. FYI each jug of 8.25% bleach will add about 3ppm FC to your pool.

Don't add any more tabs to chlorinator.

I just noticed that you pH is a little low - Add a box of Borax (20-Mule Team - laundry aid). You won't get accurate pH readings while FC > 10.

Keep us posted.

P.S. Why do you cover the pool at night?

[BigDave]

OOPS! I thought you said pool was 26K gallons - 15K is different.
I'll post again in a minute.

[FormerBromineUser]

BigDave: while you're calculating, is there any additional issue with her CH being so high (750)?

[mary jo]

Oh- I forgot to respond earlier to this: When I tested for CH it turned purple (after about 40 drops) instead of blue, so I just kept adding drops until I saw blue (with small particles of purple swirling around). I looked this up in the Taylor booklet and it said this is caused by metals (copper?) in the water… btw: My city water is supplied by 3 city wells treated at a city water plant, and is characteristically HARD. Alot of homes have water softeners.

[BigDave]

BigDave: while you're calculating, is there any additional issue with her CH being so high (750)?

I asked if that could be testing error

@mary jo: Did you retest CH? Perhaps you should add a Tablespoon of Borax to test bucket to see if it clouds before putting it in the pool. Put something dark in bucket - you may not be able to see a cloud in a white bucket.

[BigDave]

OK. So...
To start shock, add 6 jugs 8.25% bleach to go from 0 FC to 30ppm FC.
or
To get through party first, add 3 jugs 8.25% bleach to go from 0 to 15ppm FC.

Each Jug will add a little over 5ppm FC.

I would add a half box of Borax.

Also:
Sorry about that! Your first post said "15,000 SF rectangular" then I scanned for a volume and, apparently, found FormerBromineUser's volume - My Bad.