HELPppppppppppp

[ivyleager]

#1. Im sorry I dont get it...how many gal of clorox a day? One ok? Do I add in intervals? Like 2 to 3 c at a time? Vacuum three times a day... Shock is to be 25? My tester doesnt go that high...

#2. If I keep it at shock level how does one swim in it? Its not suppose to be above 3 to swim... I am so confused..I have read and read and read...

#3.Would it just be easier to dump the water, wash the pool and start over?

In order to test pool water at higher levels, use the shot glass method of dilution, a shot glass being 'one part'. Take one part pool water and one part distilled water, mix together, and use this mixture to test the chlorine. Take the chlorine reading and multiply by 2. If still too high to measure, take one part pool water and 2 parts distilled water, mix, then test, take chlorine reading, and multiply by 3.

Now, to answer your questions:

1. The amount of chlorine you'll need to add depends upon what residual chlorine you have in your pool. Test the water at least 2x day. You'll most likely need to add chlorine after each test to bring it back up to shock levels. For your pool shock level being 15ppm. See below chart:

Ben's 'best guess' chlorine guide. Use the info in this chart to help you figure out what levels of chlorine you need to maintain in your pool based on the amount of CYA (cyanuric acid, also called stabilizer) that you have in your pool. (FC = free chlorine)

Stabilizer(CYA) . . . Min. FC . . . . Max FC . . . 'Shock' FC
=> 0 ppm . . . . . . . .1 ppm . . . . . 3 ppm . . . . 10 ppm
=> 10 - 20 ppm . . . .2 ppm . . . . . 5 ppm . . . . 12 ppm
=> 30 - 50 ppm . . . .3 ppm . . . . . 6 ppm . . . . 15 ppm
=> 60 - 90 ppm . . . .5 ppm . . . . . 10 ppm . . .. 20 ppm
=> 100 - 200 ppm . . 8 ppm . . . . . 15 ppm . . .. 25 ppm

Now, one gallon of bleach will raise the chlorine in your pool to 13, which is pretty close to 15 (shock level). If testing reveals ZERO chlorine in your pool (which may occur due to the algae), then you'll need to add a smidge more. To add the bleach, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN INLINE CHLORINATOR, then pour all at once SLOWLY through the skimmer. Or, if you wish, pour around the perimeter of the pool. KEEP FILTER ON 24/7. When I had my first algae bloom at start up years ago, I never vacuumed; brushed and brushed so algae would get filtered, then backwashed about 2-3x/day.

2. Well, if the pool is green, why would you want to swim in it anyway? I keep my chlorine around 5ppm as my CYA is 70ppm. Perfectly fine. My suits do not fade. I do not glow in the dark. If your pool clears and while waiting for the chlorine to come back down, go ahead and swim if chlorine is <10ppm, just wear an old suit. Remember, the free chlorine level is dependent upon the CYA level. Think of it this way, the CYA binds to the chlorine, making higher levels not as toxic. If you have zero CYA and a chlorine of 10, then that would be very high, indeed.

3. Think of this as a learning process.

Good luck.

CaryB

[raptureready1953]

THANK YOU ALL SOoooooooooooooo much. I will keep everyone posted. I appreciate the help so so so very much. Hope to get it cleared soon!!

[raptureready1953]

Day 2 still no change. Color may be a little lighter green. But green nonetheless.

CYA is still up there between 30-50. FC is way up there too. Using test strips for that, and it came out darker than the HIGH that was listed. Put in 3 gallons chlorine this morn. Swept. I have a stinky vacuum that came with the pool but cant afford another better kind, and my pool does not have the capabilty for back wash. We also have no skimmer. Cheap vinyl pool. Any more ideas out there?

[Sully]

Keep doing what your doing..........
1) chlorine at shock level
2)keep filter running
3) keep brushing and vacuuming

Its not going to clear up overnight, practice some patience and the 3 steps above......you'll walk out one morning staring a a crystal clear pool.........I promise!

[raptureready1953]

Keep doing what your doing..........
1) chlorine at shock level
2)keep filter running
3) keep brushing and vacuuming

Its not going to clear up overnight, practice some patience and the 3 steps above......you'll walk out one morning staring a a crystal clear pool.........I promise!

Before it snows in Fl? LOL. Thanks for the help.

[raptureready1953]

Another lesson learned. I do not think all chlorine is the same. LOL. AND 3 qts do not equal a gallon. Oh me. Needless to say I still have a green pool. Brushed several times today. Vacuumed once. Just put more clorox in. UGH UGH UGH

[Simmons99]

Again test and keep your chlorine level high. There are SO MANY threads where I have seen people get frustrated - but it always has worked out as soon as they have the correct amount of chlorine and it is kept at the right level consistantly ..... then poof blue cloudy pool ....and then a clear blue pool.

[raptureready1953]

I think my problem must be consistancy. My five way tester only goes to 5. BUT it now is way over that, almost a dark brown. The other test strips are way over 10. That is what it has been over the last three days. I am hoping for some change soon. Thanks.

[Simmons99]

You can go to a pool store and pick up a Taylor FAS-DPD chlorine test kit - it will test up to 50ppm I believe

OR

You can purchase DISTILLED water and put like 4 parts distilled water to one part pool water and then multipy your results by 5 - but not as accurate as a good test kit.

[raptureready1953]

Oh ok, thanks. Dont have the money for any more test kits. Wish I did. I would buy one on this site. Will try the distilled water asap. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. I am not sure what color the pool water is . To me its more a light green gray...nothing like the green of yesterday. ???