Clear, but no chlorine???

[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]

... this is caused by metals (copper?) in the water ...

Maybe it would be safer to add a half cup of bleach to the test bucket to be sure we can't force the metals out.

[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.

[mary jo]

BigDave: My daughter thanks you (as do I)!!!! I will do as advised.

oh- Why am I super diligent (crazy) about keeping the pool covered- especially at night????
Main reason I got a pool was for my youngest (I have 4) who has special needs. Also the main reason I paid big bucks to get an automatic pool cover. He loves water but can be impulsive and loves to get up early (4:30am) and get into trouble. Twice during pool construction (during excavation) he ran out and attempted to jump into the hole from our deck.

But I read about the chemical build-up that occurs during shocking so I will be extra careful in keeping him away from the open water, and keep the cover open until this chlorine issue is resolved.
thanks again.

[BigDave]

With that safety issue, I would keep it closed and deal with the consequences. If there's damage, it's only money.

[mary jo]

funny- that's what my husband always says….
I'm a night owl so I can keep the cover open til about 2am, then close until morning.
i have the test bucket with pool water & 1/2 cup bleach in it. Will let you know tomorrow what happens.
thanks

[FormerBromineUser]

.
You have a VERY important reason to keep your cover closed at night. There are other advantages too.

I almost always keep my cover closed at night: It helps keep in heat and that has been a real advantage with the cool weather this year! It helps keep critters from finding the pool at night; I never find dead toads, chipmunks, voles, etc. unless I leave it open. If a storm comes up at night, windblown debris stays out. (I rarely have to vacuum because I also close it during the day if there's any type of strong wind).

I leave it open: If my water level is low and it is going to rain with little to no wind. If the pool water temperature gets high and I need to cool it off. If I have to go to shock level. I also left it open while I was lowering my TA and aerating with my fountains.

Good luck with your pool and the party!