First Results (PS234)

[karrde97]

Tested Jul 15.

FC:0
CC:0
TC:0
My Chlorine dies within a couple days
pH:8.2
Alk:580
Cal:0
Cya:0 (Probably why I have no Chlorine)
Temp:86

I dumped in a couple pounds of Stabilizer. How long does it usually last? I'm going to try and aerate to drop my Alk.

[BogeyGolfer]

I have had a pool for 3 years and I have only had to add cya (stabilizer) once. So, in my limited experience it lasts a long time. I also remember that it took a couple of days to fully dissolve. A lot of it lay on the bottom of the pool for 48-72 hrs.

[duraleigh]

It's not clear that you're looking for comments but......

1. Get your pH down into 7.2-7.6 range with muriatic acid

2. Reread the instructions for the Alk test and repeat. If that result is correct, (I don't think it is) it may be a world record.

3. Without CYA, chlorine quickly disappears in daylight. Add it in the evening to be most effective. Once the CYA is established, Cl will do better in the daytime. CYA will last all Summer, at least.

[karrde97]

I was asking about the durability of Satbilizer. I did add it last night. I check it this morning. My pH was down around 7.6 and I set the return to make bubbles and added a little more acid.

I tried an Alk test on the Bioguard kit (I got with the pool 2 years ago) and I quit adding drops when I was getting near 500. I figured something was wrong with the kit or the solutions were old. So I waited until my PS234 came in to do a proper test and it came in around 580. I filled the pool with water from 350ft+ well that has a lot of Iron. Not sure if that contributes. I've started the aeration process. I keep you posted.(get it?)

The first 2 years we had the pool, I didn't do a good job of pool chemistry. Since we moved and brought our pool with us(installed it ourselves), I feel better about doing a better job of maintenance. I'm feeling better already.

[karrde97]

OK. I got my CYA up to 40 ppm. That should help my Chlorine from dying so quickly.

As for reducing my Alk... I started the aeration process Saturday night. I don't think I did it right. My pH was 8.2 Sat night. Over the next 2 days I kept pouring in acid & some left over store bought pH Lowerer. I checked the pH and it always read high(8.2). Monday night I tested for Alk again and this time it was over 600 before the solution turned from green to a slight red/clearish. So now I"m starting over. I stopped the aeration and dumped a bunch of acid in last night. Checked pH this morning and it was down around 7.8. I'm going to keep lowering until it gets to ~6.6(as per instructions) then start aerating again.


Questions:
1. How long does it usually take for the pH to lower once you pour in the acid(or store bought mixture)?
2. Once I start aerating, do I continue to aerate as I'm lowering the pH or do I alternate between lowering and aerating?
3. Can we swim during this process?
4. How long you aerate before seeing a change?

[karrde97]

Latest during the aeration process.

FC=1.5
CC=1
TC=2.5
pH=7.5
Alk=370(down from 600+)

I'm going to keep at it. Almost there.

[karrde97]

Tested this morning and my Alk is below 300. Looks like the aeration process is working.