Test results and problems

[Powegian]

Hello everyone,
Glad I found this forum, (after 10 yrs of pool ownership) I am doing a lot of wrong things. Using Dichlor granules Trichlor tabs (in chlorinator). At least I use Muriatic acid for pH! Anyway, here are my test results using a Taylor based Leslies kit:
FC = 3
CC = 3.5
pH = 7.6
TA = 180
CH = 1,150 (tap water = 300 ppm)
CYA =200-300 another
I am starting to get small brown spots/stains in one area of the pool (dichlor does remove them when scattered over them) and some yellow algae (not real serious).
My pool is a 23000 gunite with a Hayward Pro Grid DE filter.
What should I do to bring this under control?
Thanks.
Warren

[waterbear]

Hate to say it but a drain and refill is the first order of business to get the CYA and Calcium under control! Also Do you really have 3.5 ppm CC? That is way too high. Which type of chlorine test are you using, DPD (color comparator) or FAS-DPD (titration test). If you are using the DPD test then the results when you add the third reagent would be your TC. TC-FC=CC which would give you a CC of .5 ppm. IF you are using the FAS-DPD test then the second tritration would be CC. If you really have 3.5 ppm CC then you have never really reached 'breakpoint'. With your high CYA levels this is possible since you would need to shock to a level of about 25 ppm to achieve this. See this thread for more info
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=365

Also, there is no way you can get an accurate reading above 100 ppm for CYA with a reagent test unless you are dilituing the sample first. I would be interested in hearing how you got your CYA reading....it sounds like it came from test strips.

[Powegian]

Hi Waterbear,
Thanks for replying. I retested my Chlorine, I am using a DPD test. I had to dilute the water using 1.8ml pool/tap water. FC was 2.5, TC was 25 after multiplying. CYA was a "guess" since the black dot disappeared about 1/2 way to 100. Do you think I need to do a complete drain/refill?Thanks again.

[duraleigh]

Warren,

Complete drains are troublesome. My thoughts would be about 60% or so. That should get your CYA down into a manageable range around 60-80. I would live with that the rest of the Summer and then, next Spring, you can lower it again if you need to.

You chlorine numbers are still a little mixed up. FC + CC = TC. Based on your results, that would mean your CC's are 22.5....which is not correct.

For the rest of the Summer, you need to stick with bleach for chlorination. Your CYA and Ch are so over the top you will only make it worse if you use anything else.

I would decide how much to drain pretty quickly....the sooner you can effectively attack your water issues, the easier it will be to clear.

[Powegian]

Hi Duraleigh,
OK this is my chlorine reading (I'm sure I got it right this time)
FC=2ppm
TC=6ppm
Does this make sense? Thanks for your help!
Is my pool safe to swim in now? (it is clear and blue)
Warren

[duraleigh]

I think it would be fine to swim in it if you like.

That said, that test result of 3-4CC indicates a DESPERATE need to shock your pool and I mean DESPERATE.

Because your CYA is so high, you have probably never reached shock level in your pool for a long time. You need to bring your chlorine level up to 30+ (with bleach only) and keep it there for a while.

I'd start in the evening with 12 gallons (yep) of 6% clorox. Test it again the next morning and add enough to get back up to 30...it'll probably have dropped pretty significantly. Repeat this procedure each day until your test the following morning shows very little loss of chlorine (less than 3 or so).

Then, let your Cl drift down into a 8-15 range. You should keep it in that range the rest of the Summer.

Read the sticky's posted at the top of each forum...you'll gain a wealth of information.

[Powegian]

Wow, I feel like such a newbie! I thought I had this pool thing somewhat under control. Should this shock begin now or drain and refill first? I would like to keep the pool open for the kids, especially with this SoCal heatwave we're having. Thanks for your help.

[duraleigh]

Shock it now. Drain after you've read a bit more (particulary the sticky's) and have prepared for it...It'll take a little planning.

If the kids swim in the pool while you're shocking, might have them wear old swimsuits in case any fading occurs.