+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 10 of 29

Thread: I'm confused

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    topless is offline Registered+ Thread Analyst topless 0
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Wichita, KS
    Posts
    69

    Default I'm confused

    I have tried to search for answers, but my pool test numbers are so different, I'm not sure what to add.
    I just opened the pool Friday, it was green and cloudy so I spent the first 36 hours trying to keep the chlorine high.
    My pool is IG and gunite(?) appr. 20,000 gallons. It's a free-form shape and that's my best guess.
    The first 24 hours I used 68 gallons of bleach. I closed the cover because it rained 1.4" last night. I opened it back up this morning, the water is cloudy, but blueish. I got one of Ben's test kits late last year, so I used it this morning.

    Temp - 69
    FC - .5
    TC - 4
    ph - 6.8
    TA - 250
    CAL - 0
    cya - 0

    Last year I had too much cya, over 150, but I got my test kit too late in the year to use it. I knew my chemistry was screwed up. I also have a foaming problem related to adding the wrong kind of algaecide trying to get rid of a re-occurring issue with mustard algae.
    I added about 2lbs of cya and another gallon of bleach and a lb of borax. How do I add calcium?
    Last edited by topless; 06-10-2007 at 01:40 PM.

  2. #2
    CarlD's Avatar
    CarlD is offline SuperMod Emeritus Vortex Adjuster CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    North Central NJ
    Posts
    6,607

    Default Re: I'm confused

    Quote Originally Posted by topless View Post
    I have tried to search for answers, but my pool test numbers are so different, I'm not sure what to add.
    I just opened the pool Friday, it was green and cloudy so I spent the first 36 hours trying to keep the chlorine high.
    My pool is IG and gunite(?) appr. 20,000 gallons. It's a free-form shape and that's my best guess.
    The first 24 hours I used 68 gallons of bleach. I closed the cover because it rained 1.4" last night. I opened it back up this morning, the water is cloudy, but blueish. I got one of Ben's test kits late last year, so I used it this morning.

    Temp - 69
    FC - .5
    TC - 4
    ph - 6.8
    TA - 250
    CAL - 0
    cya - 0

    Last year I had too much cya, over 150, but I got my test kit too late in the year to use it. I knew my chemistry was screwed up. I also have a foaming problem related to adding the wrong kind of algaecide trying to get rid of a re-occurring issue with mustard algae.
    I added about 2lbs of cya and another gallon of bleach and a lb of borax. How do I add calcium?
    Wow! You are really all over the MAP. First, while your pH is low, you have a gunite pool so it's probably OK. I would NOT, repeat NOT add borax or soda ash to raise pH. Only use aeration--search the site for ways to aerate.

    When your pH rises above 7.2, add muriatic acid to lower it again and keep aerating until your Total Alkalinity is in the 80-125 range. You can do this while dealing with the algae.

    Second, you have an FC of .5 and a TC of 4. That means your CC is 3.5...normally that means shocking to an FC of 35 to clear it--and you may well have to do that with the algae. Again, you have a gunite pool so you can get away with it. However, for starters, add bleach to raise your FC to 15ppm. If you use 6% ultra bleach you will need 5 gallons. If you use 12.5% (available from pool stores either in gallons or 5 gallon containers), you'll need 2.5 gallons to start.

    But you'll need to test your water 3x/ day and add bleach/liquid chlorine whenever your FC drops below 15.

    Meanwhile run the tests again--especially for CYA.

    Forget calcium for now...get the algae dead first.

    Fix pH, then keep the pool at shock levels, it may take a week or more.

    There is NO quick and easy solution, just logical practices and patience.

    Meanwhile, vacuum to waste and brush the pool once a day.

    Don't go to the pool store and expect them to give you something to throw in that will fix it. They'll sell it to you, but it won't fix the problem.

    You need lots and lots of bleach/liquid chlorine to fix it.
    Carl

  3. #3
    topless is offline Registered+ Thread Analyst topless 0
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Wichita, KS
    Posts
    69

    Default Re: I'm confused

    Thanks for answering back. I added the 5 gallons of bleach late yesterday and tested again this morning.

    FC - .5
    TC - 2
    ph - 6.8
    cya - 0

    I am going to the pool store this morning to get cya. I added 5 more gallons of bleach.
    Before you posted I tried to raise my ph by adding 4 lbs of Borax. As you can see, it didn't change a thing. I have a small air leak in my suction line that I've never tried to find, so I get aeration 100% of the time. I guess that's why my pool has always run low ph.
    Here are pictures of what happens after I add bleach and you can see the color here too.



  4. #4
    CarlD's Avatar
    CarlD is offline SuperMod Emeritus Vortex Adjuster CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    North Central NJ
    Posts
    6,607

    Default Re: I'm confused

    No, the aeration causes pH to RISE, not fall. If you have low pH, it's not from aeration, more likely from Tri-Chlor puck.

    You will need at least 5 gallons just to get your FC to shock level. With the way your water looks, you may need another 5 later in the day.

    PLEASE read the stickied sections. You are going to need to test your water and add bleach 3x/day.

    You may want to get the 5 gallon blue carboys of 12.5% Liquid Chlorine from the pool store--spend the extra $4 on the screw-on nozzle--it's worth it.

    Each of these carboys is like 10 gallons of ultra bleach. It can be more convenient, especially when using large quantities. You bring the empty back to the store because they are reusable.
    Carl

  5. #5
    topless is offline Registered+ Thread Analyst topless 0
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Wichita, KS
    Posts
    69

    Default Re: I'm confused

    Well, I had to postpone everything I planned for today. I went to vacuum the pool and the gasket in my valve went bad. So, while I was picking up cya, I got a new one and installed it. Right now the silicone is drying, so I can start again this evening after I put the valve back together.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    166

    Default Re: I'm confused

    That is some nasty pool water.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. confused on cya
    By johnlanciloti in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 07-30-2011, 07:47 PM
  2. I'm Confused
    By Lisa Tone in forum Dealing with Stains & Metals, . . . and 'Minerals' & 'Ions',
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 06-05-2011, 03:17 PM
  3. Confused about CYA
    By circlenranch in forum Using Chlorine and Chlorinating Chemicals
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 08-01-2006, 07:16 AM
  4. New and Confused
    By ussnewco in forum Salt Generators (SWCG) & other Chlorine Feeders
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 07-27-2006, 09:28 AM
  5. I'm a Little Confused ...
    By vinnygnj in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-28-2006, 08:28 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts