Where to start?

[Steve #1]

Thanks for the buzz kill keithw.

It appears that the high CYA is the root of my problem and from what I understand, the only way to lower it is to replace the water. With the level of CYA, about how much water am I looking at replacing to get to a more manageable level? I'm guessing this would also help the Harness level?

With this in mind, anyone know the effects of pool water on grass? We're under mandatory water rationing here and it's a $1500 fine if you water your yard any time other than your 12 hours a week you are allowed however usage for pool maintenance is allowed. I could kill two birds with one stone if it wouldn't have ill effects on my sun baked grass.

...... and thanks for all the help so far.

[Phillbo]

Where do you live? Is there a concern with the water table in your area? Given the drought conditions I'd doubt it but it's something to think about so your pool does not heave when empty. Mine sat empty for 3 months here in Az and not even a crack ... If your water is not real salty it may not be a problem on the grass. What kind of grass?


Sounds like the water has been in the pool for a long time.. A drain and refill never hurts in that situation.

[Steve #1]

I'm in north Texas (Dallas). The only concern with the water table is the lack of one. How do I know if the water is salty? The grass is St Augustine so it is pretty sturdy except that it is dry now.

[keithw]

First you need to get an accurate CYA. The looking at this thread, you say it's "halfway to the scale that starts at 100." The test strip is pretty unreliable so I discount that. Done it small batches the water shouldn't mess up the lawn. I've done partial drains without problem. I too had a high CYA, right around 100. I am letting evaporation and splashy kids lower mine steadily and slowly. I just chlorinate up to 8PPM at night and let it work down to 5PPM and then move it back up to 8.

[Phillbo]

Get a water sample at a pool store and then go ask a nursery

[Sully]

St. Augustine will hold up rather well to pool water. Only (always a catch) do not let the water drain in just one spot, try to distribute the water around the yard. The worse case scenario you'll end up with a pretty nasty fungus in that one area. I have St. Augustine on two sides of my deck and from the water being splashed out, the sod around the deck gets a nasty fungus that will turn the blades of grass a rather odd shade of orange.

[Simmons99]

I am letting evaporation and splashy kids lower mine steadily and slowly. I just chlorinate up to 8PPM at night and let it work down to 5PPM and then move it back up to 8.

Evaporation will not get rid of CYA - it will not leave the pool. Splashing the water out would get rid of the CYA that is in the splashed water - but it is way more effective to do a partial drain/refill.

I think some people here have done a 3-4" drain and refill every couple of days until the CYA level is down to a manageable level. It will also cool down the pool

[Steve #1]

What is the reason for doing a drain and refill over a few days vs doing it all at once? Seems like the latter would be more effective as far as watter usage.

My water is almost clear now. How long after I have it clear should I keep it at shock level? I want to be sure I have the algae under control. It seems like the chlorine isn't lasting long and it is still using quite a bit. Testing using the shot glass method for now.

We also had an odd phenomenon happen here last night where droplets of water were falling out of the sky. I have seen this happen before, I think it's called "ran" or something like that.

[GraceByDesign]

The main reason for doing several smaller drainn/refills is to avoid any potential problem with an empty pool... heaving, cracking, etc. If you drain the pool, there is only the pressure of the ground pushing in on the walls, and no longer pressure from the water pushing back on the walls

ETA: keep it at shock levels until you have O CC, then let it drift back down to 8 or so, if you keep the high CYA

[Phillbo]

Lets talk him into being our "BIG PLASTIC SHEET" Guinea Pig....


Ya know you want to try it Steve