My turn to ask questions

[KLHink]

My dad bought a farm with two homes and a pool on it and he wanted to know how much it would cost to fill it in (we begged, so it stayed). This is our third year in Upstate NY, opened the pool this year and the filter broke; so now we have a new filter and pump. Think it's 35K gal. with a few inches of new rain on top. Today I tested the water which is cloudy and bluish, visiblity is about a foot.

I am using the HTH 5 way test kit, purchased in the fall:
(which of the chemicals is likely not up to snuff after 8 months?)

Cl =.5 its not any shade of yellow
pH = 7.0 just over min
CYA = less than 30 ppm
TA = 30 ppm
Cal Hardness = 80-90 ppm

No one is swimming in the pool because it's cloudy (in and out)...
But I ask if I might; which deficiency should be corrected first?

I have applied to the Poohbah for a better test kit, not sure if he'll go for it since he's spent over $800 and not had a swim...
Thank you for any help...
Karen Lee

[duraleigh]

Hi, Karen,

I would suggest the following:

1. More accurately calc the gallons in your pool. Within 1k or 2k for that size pool is fine. 1 cu. ft. of water = 7.48 gallons.

2. Download bleachcalc from any of mwsmith2's posts...put it on your desktop...you'll use it all Summer.

3. Buy enough Cl to get your ppm up to 15 if it's vinyl lined, 25ppm if it's plaster.....buy plenty...you'll use more soon.

4. buy enough CYA to get to 30+ppm...40 is a good target.

5. Add the Cl to your pool at dusk....do this as soon as you can...you currently have no protection from algae. Test again just before you go to bed and add enough to bring it back up to 15ppm/25ppm. Repeat this procedure 'til your water is clear. It may take a few days.

6. During this procedure, run the pump 24/7 and backwash each time your filter pressure raises by more than 8psi or so.

7. When your water is crystal clear, backwash one last time and add the CYA directly into the skimmer, pump still running. It'll take the CYA a few days to dissolve and show up on your test.

8. Lastly, maintain a constant Cl level between 3-7ppm the rest of the Summer and your pool will sparkle the whole time.

Post back questions any time...lots of help here on the forum.

[KLHink]

Great - that sounds like a plan...

[KLHink]

OK I'm back, slow going here... actual pool volume is 33000 w/vinyl liner. Got a brand new cheap test kit today because I ran low on CYA reagent. My pool is slowly clearing. Some won't go near it because it's abit cloudy, I've been in twice to vacuum the past three days. I hope to get to crystal this week.
Now, I have the pool chlorine at about 12 as of 1PM. I could not get it to stay there without adding stabilizer which I did yesterday AM (one canister). I tested this level twice today since I had one old kit's worth and the new kit; first test CYA was 50 then using the new kit it tested less than 30! I had the test water in a measuring cup but ran both tests within 10 min using the tubes which came with each kit respectively. I am perplexed about this, I was happy with the first result but wonder why the second was so far off. From an answer by Carl about this chemical on another post I am thinking this chemical doesn't age much but, also...
My ph is still at the minimum and TA at 50. I am planning putting 3 smaller bottles of last years 6% bleach (which has degraded I know) in tonight, in hopes that I'll see the bottom of the deep end in the morning. I don't know if I've left out an important detail, let me know as I need advice from you folks.
Can I tell people it's safe to swim or is the high chlorine level and low ph going to rot flesh or suits - not worried much about hair since I'm the only one who swims underwater and I don't care what color it looks. -OR should we all wait until tomorrow and see if it's clearer. AND/OR anything else that might help. Can I go on to raisng ph levels now or tomorrow- or do I wait until clarity improves. I need this to happen ASAP because my Dad bought this bottle of blue clarifier and I'm afraid he'll use it when I'm out walking the dog or something (he's getting near that forgetful stage in his life, knows I am trying to educate myself about all this, might do it just to be ornery).
Karen

[duraleigh]

Karen,

Your chlorine is not staying in the pool because it is being consumed by organics.....per my earlier post, you MUST get your Cl level to 15ppm and keep replenishing back up to 15ppm 'til your water clears. 12ppm won't get it. (well, if you've got all Summer.....)

I see no mention that you ever brought it to 15 at dusk and kept it there overnight. If you did, do it again. You're "tiptoeing" up to your problem instead of jumping on it with both feet.

It's fine to swim in. It's possible you might fade a swimsuit but nobody's gonna' rot.

Synopsis....YOU NEED CHLORINE TO 15PPM AT DUSK!!!. KEEP IT THERE! BE PREPARED TO PUT MORE IN BEFORE YOU GO TO BED......BACK UP TO 15PPM (Well, I wasn't really yelling but I want you to get my point. )

[KLHink]

No you're right I did not mention - Got chlorine up to 15 for two nights but in AM it was never higher than 5 (one day it was 3). I will do better I am sure. I was encouraged to be able to make out the liner yesterday AM, and it was clearer again today. Between you, the 9 month old puppy and my dad with his blue bottle I have to stay on my toes. Thanks very much, I am listening, really.