Looking to "convert" to BBB? Have questions though.

[troykristoffer]

Okay, so in the interest in trying to get my pool swimable before my PS234 gets here, I went to NAMCO and bought their most complicated chemistry set.

Unfortunatley it doesnt test for CYA or Hardness but it does test for FC, TC, pH, and Alk, so Im at least better than the strips, until PS234 gets here.

So... here are my drop based readings from this kit:

FC: 0.4
TC: 0.4
pH: 7.6 (Yay!)
Alk: 190 (Whoa..)

Interestingly my strips still say my Alk is ZERO. Probably cant register it cuz its so high.

If thats not enough to tell me exactly why I shouldnt use strips, I dont know what is.

Are there detrimental effects of swimming with alkalinity this high? I sorta understand that Alk is the stability of your pH level, or how easy or difficult it is to change. What I dont understand is how to lower it...

I read the sticky in the alk forum, but I dont want to lower my pH, I want to lower alkalinity... my pH is at a good level isnt it? Confused on that.

Added a gallon of chlorine which bleachcalc tells me should bring my Chlor to 2.5.

I still have some major suds on top of my pool which wont seem to go away, and some cloudyness after the algeacide nightmare. I tried a anti-foam product and that helped but only temporarily. Tried a clarifier, and that didnt do anything. (The only reason I tried it, is cuz it worked beautifully before.)

I'm hoping the chlorine spike may zap the suds. We'll see.

And the "Conversion" goes on...lol

[duraleigh]

Hi, Troy,

Reading from your first post to your last, it looks like you decided to get serious. That's great...you will love Ben's kit and love your pool as a result.

1. I can't see where you've posted whether your pool is vinyl or gunite...that's important.

2. Your priorities are a little off.....focus first on getting your Cl level right up in the 3-6ppm range. My thinking is it's gonna drop pretty quickly and you're gonna' have to replenish frequently with bleach. It's important that you keep it at least 3ppm 24/7.....higher won't hurt a bit, it will only help.

3. Stop putting ANYTHING else in your pool. No "magic bullets".....patience, balancing your water, and testing and dosing correctly will clear your pool. Other folks who have used the foamy algaecide report it will go away in a few days. For now, simply run your pump 24/7 and keep your filter clean. Is it sand, cart, or DE?

4. Lastly reread the Alk lowering process when you get all the above done. Your in no harm with the Alk @ 190. It'll be best to address that last.

5. Your probably gonna' need to shock, but we can't tell you how much bleach until we get a trustworthy CYA test result. I suggest going to a pool store (remember, no more "magic bullets") and have them test for you and post the results back up.

Synopsis: Clean your pool up by running the pump 24/7, keeping the Cl at 3+ppm, and giving it some time. May have to shock but a CYA result is in order first. Adress your Alk after everything is cleaned up...you're in no danger.

[troykristoffer]

Thank you for your advice. I have a gunite pool

Sorry, its in my signature now.

Unfortunately, tomorrow's monday, and I work from 9-9 m-f so until next weekend, I cant fiddle with the pool, other than testing with my current kit and keeping the chlorine up. I'll keep it running though and maybe the foam will disappear.

[CarlD]

Troy,
You've gotten some really sound advice here. There are some stickied posts at the top of this topic group, and the pool chemistry problems group, and the chlorine group that can help.

If you need the test kit RIGHT NOW, then Leslie's on-line site has a "Chlorine FAS-DPD Service Test Kit" that you can probably get drop-shipped overnight and have tomorrow. It's made by Taylor for them, and is basically the same as the Taylor 2006, re-labeled for Leslie's. In terms of the chemistry, these two are the equivalent of the PS-234 and will give you equally accurate readings. No, neither gives you as many refills of reagents, nor as clear a set of instructions, nor as well laid-out a kit--you have to hunt for stuff, nor a good log.

But they are the ONLY kits I know that can give you the readings Ben's kit gives you. If you need it RIGHT NOW, that's the way to go. If you want the best and can wait a little longer, Ben's PS-234 is the way to go.

[troykristoffer]

Troy,
If you need the test kit RIGHT NOW, then Leslie's on-line site has a "Chlorine FAS-DPD Service Test Kit" that you can probably get drop-shipped overnight and have tomorrow.

Thats really exactly what I've done. I ordered that kit from leslies, and intend on replacing it with Ben's when Im done.

I realized by reading some of the threads in the kit forum that since he is just a guy helping us out that he probably would not be able to get me a kit for at least a couple weeks.

So, I ordered leslies, and when I have used about half of the reagents in that, I'm going to order Ben's.

Great mind's think alike

Thank you all for your help. I really appreciate it.