Water got away...trying to catch up

[jojasc]

First year with a pool and the water got away from us a little bit and now am trying to get it into shape so that we can close it.

I do not yet have a decent testing kit, but the following is what the pool store provided this evening:

CYA: 70
Total Chlorine: 3.6
pH: 8.4
Total Alkalenity: 184
Total Hardness: 263

How much liquid bleach do I need to use to raise my chlorine level to help me get rid of my pool that is now turning green? And at what frequency? Our pool is a 27 fooot above ground so I believe it to be approx. 17K gallons. I stopped on the way home and bought 12 gallons, just feel nervous getting started.

Thanks for your help as I begin my learning journey.
jojasc

[Simmons99]

Without a test kit you will not be able to fix your pool easily - it will require about 3-4 trips to the pool store a day until you get everything fixed. Go to Wal-Mart and get a cheap 6-way test kit.

First off - add some acid to get your PH in the 7.4-7.6 range. Start by adding about 1/2 a gallon (for a 17,000 gallon pool). Wait for that to circulate for about an hour and then retest. Then add a cup at a time until you get it down to the correct range. ADJUST THE PH FIRST - once you add all the chlorine - your PH test will not be accurate.

Once your PH is in line - then you need to test your CYA. This is a stabilizer level - without your CYA level you don't know what level your chlorine needs to be at to shock the pool (kill the algae) without damaging your liner.

Once you have your CYA results - post back so we can help you!

[jojasc]

Thanks for the response. Just checked with the Wal-Mart near where I worked and they sent back all of their pool related items a month ago. I did receive a very basic Janco test with my pool but it only tests Chlorine to 3ppm so I guess for that I can use the shot glass method to test to shock level after following the steps you list to do first. I do not remember if it tests for pH, but now that I think about it my pH test for my aquarium water should work, right?

I will stop at Home Depot on the way home and pick up some Muriatic acid.

Should adjusting the pH have any impact on my CYA reading that I received from the pool store?

Thanks for the help,
jojasc

[Watermom]

You might look at Home Depot or Lowe's to see if they still have any type of kits available.

[dawndenise]

Adjusting your pH should not affect your CYA reading. In general terms, only draining out some of your water or splashing it out will decrease CYA.

[Simmons99]

You can also take the sample to the pool store for a CYA test. Then look uo Ben's best guess chart at the top of the Chlorine forum to determine the shock level for your pool.