My Pool Looks Like An EASTER EGG!!! -- NOT a good thing!

[PopcornGirl]

Drumroll please...

Ok, the tap water showed trace amounts of chlorine [~<.5 actually], so I got a glass of distilled (we had some on-hand already; my dh keeps a humidor [sp?]).
First I just tested the pool water, as usual:
pH: 7.4-7.6 (7.5?)
FC: <.5 (YAY!!! It's actually showing SOMETHING now...)
TC: >.5 (but less than 1)

Then, pool water to the half-way mark (4.5) + distilled to the fill line...
FC: ZERO
TC: <.5

Then, pool water to the lowest mark (1.8) + distilled water to the fill line...
FC: ZERO
TC: ZERO

So, I guess we're ok.
Plus, the pool is showing even more improvement, so it's definitely doing something, despite the low readings... I'm glad there is FINALLY some pink in the test results!!

Ok, I am DONE. Gonna hit the sack... G'night!

[PopcornGirl]

Just an update! My pool is FINALLY starting to hold Chlorine!

This morning's readings:
pH: 7.4
FC: 2-3 ppm
TC: 1.5 ppm
Couldn't be happier!

[vgg659]

Wow. I'm just getting here from the other thread.

The only thing I'll add at this point is that I have been where you were, wondering if I'll ever get a FC reading in my pool again. When you have problems like you have had, it's important to understand how important it is to KEEP THE FC AT 20 PPM until it holds.

You are fighting a war and CL is your ammunition. But, you're using it up as you fight, so you have to continuously and constantly RELOAD.

In the near future, your water will be clearer than ever before.

You're getting good advice; follow it. My post is really for encouragement.

[waterbear]

Just an update! My pool is FINALLY starting to hold Chlorine!

This morning's readings:
pH: 7.4
FC: 2-3 ppm
TC: 1.5 ppm
Couldn't be happier!

You are NOT out of the (green) water yet! You still have a big chlorine demand going oin and over half the chlorine left in your pool is CC. Get the FC up to 20 ppm again and keep doing it until it is holding, Keep vacumning the dead algae, keep rinsing off the filter! You are Almost There!!!!!!
GOOD JOB!

[PopcornGirl]

After several days of diligent bleach pouring & water testing and a WHOLE LOT of hand-holding/babysitting by some VERY helpful members on this board... I would like to report that my pool is now BLUE!
There are NO stains so far and the algae is all but gone (there is still some in the crevices by the stairs and a couple of very small patches in the deep end).
AND this morning's CL readings (maintained overnight) were:
FC: 7-8 ppm
TC: 5-6 ppm
pH is still at 7.4
YES, I *KNOW*: "Keep adding bleach and testing until it gets to and STAYS at 20ppm.."
See? I have been paying attention!
And I WILL continue to do that until it holds 20ppm OVERNIGHT.
But I am just so happy and RELIEVED and thankful to all of you for helping me get through this crisis and helping me get switched over to bleach!
If things continue at this rate, I'll post a pic of my sparkling, clear pool TOMORROW!
I can't say THANKS enough, but I had a *very* good ebay week so I splurged and purchased Ben's new test kit today... I figure if I'm going to do this, I may as well get educated and do it right!
VERY, VERY HAPPY,

[waterbear]

Summer,
Congratulations, You did it! I TOLD you that you would be swimming soon!

[PopcornGirl]

Yep, I'm almost there!
Here's how my pool looked this morning...
MY POOL NOW

[mbar]

Your pool looks great!! I posted to your other thread about ph. Keep the chlorine flowing!