The beginning

[jetbtdrvr]

I purchased the K-2006. First test yeilded the following results. My pool is 20k IG vinyl. Where is the best place to start.

FC-0
PH 7.4
TA 180 ppm
CYA 100 ppm

[JohnT]

Add chlorine and stop using whatever it is that has gotten your CYA so high (trichlor pucks etc.). You will probably want to consider a series of drain and refills to get it below 50ppm.

[jetbtdrvr]

thanks for the reply. If I am understanding correctly I also need to lower my TA to around 100 PPM. I believe I will need to add 4 gallons of Muriatic acid. Am I onthe right track?

[trauh]

Adding Muratic Acid will only lower your pH. If you want to lower your TA (and it sounds like you should), then follow Ben's instructions in the Akalinity section. FYI, to lower TA you will need a way to aerate the water. Its all covered in that orther forum section. Good luck.

[keithw]

Are you planning on using the BBB method? If so, download bleachcalc, get FC up to 8PPM every night. Pretty soon you will know how much you need to add each day to get it up there. Ideally you want to get it up to 8PPM each night and the following night it is down to 5PPM which is about as low as you want to venture @ 100CYA. Looks like you need to add almost three gallons of 6% (2.7g).

Definitely lose the pucks, shocks, etc.

[Sully]

Whoa.....let slow down.

Lets get your CL taken care of first, before we start dumping a ton of acid into the pool.

[jetbtdrvr]

I'm sorry I left out some information. I am going to use the BBB method. I have done away with all of pucks etc. From the replies it would appear that my first priority is getting FC up. I have the bleach calc. I will start by adding 3 gallons and then test twice a day until I can keep 8 PPM for several days. I can than tackle the ta etc...

[duraleigh]

Sully's advice is solid. Keep your pool sanitized first....with chlorine. You're gonna' need even more bleach because that first 3 gal will probably quickly be consumed by organics already in your pool. I would put in five to start and you'll probably need two or three more very soon....possibly the next day.

Once you get your chlorine stable (between 8-15ppm), you can address your Alk. Read Ben's sticky at the top of the Alk forum on how to lower it. You'll need more patience and technique than acid but you'll need a little acid, too.

[keithw]

You'll probably never "keep" 8PPM chlorine. Under normal circumstances, it gets used up daily by UV exposure and general pool maintenance. The thing to learn is how much you lose per day under normal conditions. Once you've kept it steady for a few days, you'll start to see how much you have to add each day to keep it within your targeted range. Once you have that, pool maintenance is super simple. Add your X qts, X cups, whaterever, every night (do it at night!), and it'll be crystal clear.