I'm usually good at this stuff......

[Madty]

Dave, I was at 5ppm- If you see my first post, all my numbers are listed. I;m trying to get my ph down= I will add another gallon tonight and see what happens in the morning.
Thanks

[duraleigh]

Hi, Ty, (Gosh, I like saying that! )

Yeah, I saw the numbers from yesterday. With your algae issues, is it possible you lost most of that prior to adding the 5 gallons or did you test again just prior?

Nevertheless, I think you're on the right track.....getting your Cl up to breakpoint (15ppm) is essential in clearing your pool.

[Madty]

Madty is a combo of my kid's names- Madeline and Tyler- I'm Kevin. Hi, Kevin..no not as fun..... Nevertheless, it was prior to adding the 5 gals- I just looked at pool this morning and still can't see drains- just a cloudy blue. I'm going to check Ph and Cl now .................................................. ................

Ok my numbers are. CL 15ppm- Had to use 1/3 water and 2/3 distilled and got 5- mult by 3 and got 15. When I did the water by itself it was a dark orange.

PH 8.2 I even used cl neutralizer in the tube- that brought it down to 8.2. I know my ph is correct because when I check my tap water it's 7.2.

I have about 3 or 4 lbs of PH - that I bought long ago before this forum. Should I go ahead and throw that in?

One other thing- I checked TA and it seems to have dropped to 80-90 from 110. Is this due to all the acid I've put in. How do ya win this battle- add baking soda to raise PH and TA and acid to bring the PH down?? It seems I'll never win if the TA drops as well....Now I'm really lost!

[duraleigh]

Hi, Kevin, (Yeah, not as much fun )

Thanks for posting the numbers...very helpful

Adjust your pH first. Down into the low to mid 7's. Keep at it...it'll get there.

Then adjust your Alk with baking soda...Ph should stay within range.

You can use the pH- but I don't know the dosage. Hopefully, it's on the package.

Your Cl seems to be holding well so I really am beginning to think the high pH is causing your cloudiness....fairly rare but it sure seems like it.

The only cause of it that makes sense is the SWG. Has it been running full bore lately? Whatever the cause, the pH has to be your priority, then Alk, then keep the Cl up in the 3-6 range. Let us know if bringing the pH down starts to clear the pool.

PS - Broax raises your pH...not baking soda.

[Madty]

Yes SWG at full boar- I realize borax raises ph w/out raising TA- Baking soda raises both. I just want to go ph down....I'll work at getting the ph down. Will acid lower TA as well?

[duraleigh]

Yes, muriatic will move Alk down along with pH.

THIS IS A TEMPORARY IDEA....NOT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION
If you wanted to get really clever you could shut off your SWG and put about 4 trichlor pucks into the skimmer....take them out anytime you shut off the pump.

The pucks will provide chlorination for your pool AND drive down the pH. Unfortunately, they also add CYA to your pool so I wouldn't use them if the CYA got to 50.

Your SWG and the acid are fighting each other pH-wise. Pucks are on the same team as the acid.

Your choice as to what to do but that SWG at full bore is problematic.

[Madty]

OK ph down to around 7.3 (for now) d it go so fast 15 this morning. Anyway- What now- My pump is working 24/7. I guess keep checking chlorine levels to "shock" until clear correct? I will monitor my ph and adjust with acid- Is that it? How long till I see this cloudy water clear up?
Thanks

Also...When can the pool be used for swimming- how high is too high CL? We swim in the nasty lake all the time- I'm just concerned about high cl