Pool problems.

[bcb1]

We did some construction around our pool a year ago (sewer line and new sidewalk leading up to the pool) - and our water was a yucky brown color just like yours when we opened the pool last spring. It was closed properly, I'm guessing we got a lot of dirt and silt from all the dust in the air from digging.

Anyway, I just kept hitting it with several bottles of bleach every day, and I think I used a 1-pound pack of Cal Hypo shock each day as well. It cleared up nicely in about 5 days. I had to have the pool guy come out and vacuum with his truck-mounted vacuum because there was a lot of dirt and gunk on the pool floor. That helped tremendously.

This year the water was clear when we opened the pool this weekend. The only real difference is that the pool guy drilled holes in a big chlorine bucket and put some tabs of Tri-Chlor in it and tied it off to one of the rope hooks when he closed the pool last fall. Not sure how many tabs he used. I will definitely do that again this fall when we close it up.

[Watermom]

bcb1 - After a bucket full of trichlor tabs, you should test your cya.

[localfinesse]

Ok after testing tonight.

CL - bright yellow still high
pH - 7.4
Total Alk - 110
Total Hardness - couldn't get a reading. I had to add 11 drops to get it to turn blue to start.
CYA - is now 60 - 65.

Questions for everybody else now?

How do I get my total hardness down to a readable level?
Why is my CYA dropping so fast? I used pucks for 3 straight weeks about 1 1/2 months ago. Could that have something to do with it?

I currently have a 2 year old Hayward vacuum cleaner. How long do these things last? I was looking at the Hayward phantom tonight. That thing looks very nice. Anybody have one?

One more question not about my pool. If I register to this site for 1 year. Would that get me access to the poolsolutions guides? What does registration get you?

Thanks again to everybody that replied.

[localfinesse]

The water is looking a lot better now. There is a lot of algae on the bottom of the pool that I can't brush off. What can I do about that?

My test results are

CL - Still of the chart - Not as bright yellow as it was thought.
pH - 7.3
Total Alk - 100
Total Hardness - couldn't get a reading.
CYA - 60 - 65.

Thanks

[ivyleager]

Ok after testing tonight.

CL - bright yellow still high
pH - 7.4
Total Alk - 110
Total Hardness - couldn't get a reading. I had to add 11 drops to get it to turn blue to start.
CYA - is now 60 - 65.

Questions for everybody else now?

How do I get my total hardness down to a readable level?
Why is my CYA dropping so fast? I used pucks for 3 straight weeks about 1 1/2 months ago. Could that have something to do with it?

I currently have a 2 year old Hayward vacuum cleaner. How long do these things last? I was looking at the Hayward phantom tonight. That thing looks very nice. Anybody have one?

One more question not about my pool. If I register to this site for 1 year. Would that get me access to the poolsolutions guides? What does registration get you?

Thanks again to everybody that replied.

1. To get a more accurate reading on your chlorine, have you tried the dilution method? Take one shot glass of pool water and one shot glass of DISTILLED water and use that to test your Cl. Then multiply the number you get by 2. If still to high to read, then change to 2 shots of DISTILLED water to 1 of pool water and mutiply number by 3. Should be able to determine a high Cl level this way.

2. Algae can eat up CYA, and could be why yours is dropping. A reading of 60 is okay. Pucks drive up the CYA, push down the pH. By switching to bleach, you avoid this completely.

3. On the calcium test: I've only used Ben's test kit for this, so if you're using something else I can't help. My advice woud be to take a sample to a pool store if your can, and let them test for this. But don't let them talk you into buying anything. Get numbers, then get out.

Hope this helps.

CaryB

[sb2323]

We've had a Hayward Phantom for about 2 months now and have been very happy with it. Easy to install. Comes with an installation DVD. I did it myself in about 20 minutes. I love how it cleans the sides, steps and top of the pool. It doesn't do a perfect job on the steps but pretty good. We got it from flpools on eBay for $480 and would gladly buy from him again. Quick and helpful response to pre-sales questions, and lighting fast ship.

[localfinesse]

Thanks for all the help so far guys/gals. I posted a few pictures of my pool
http://slabindustries.com/brad/myalbum.html Does my pool look about 20,000 gallons? What is the best way to measure? Its 3ft at the shallow end and 6ft at the deep end.

I still have a lot of algae in the pool as you can see if the pictures. My water is pretty clear. My test results from Leslie’s pool are;

CL 5+
pH 7.4
Alk 120
CYA 120
Total Dissolved Solids 2500
Phosphates 500

That’s all they tested. They said I need to drain my pool to get the TDS down. I asked him to test my hardness but he said no because my TDS was so high. So what is the next step that I have to do? If I have to drain my pool do I need to drain it completely?

Also what do you guys use to clean the cartages? I have been using a hose and my thumb. Is there an easier way? Is the stuff at the pool store good to soak them in? If not what else can I use.

What do you guys recommend?

Thanks,

[Watermom]

A couple of things are making it difficult to know what to tell you to help. Your cya readings are all over the place. It makes a difference in how much chlorine we recommend that you add. Also, we need to know what your cl level is. Not just 5+. Can you use the dilution method described above and try and get a more defined reading? Also, try your cya test again. I know your pool store did it for you, but many pool stores give rather "shaky" readings and we are pretty apprehensive to rely on them. Someone else can better advise you about cleaning cartridge filters. I have never had one.

[localfinesse]

1. To get a more accurate reading on your chlorine, have you tried the dilution method? Take one shot glass of pool water and one shot glass of DISTILLED water and use that to test your Cl. Then multiply the number you get by 2. If still to high to read, then change to 2 shots of DISTILLED water to 1 of pool water and mutiply number by 3. Should be able to determine a high Cl level this way.

I did the dilution method. With 1 shot of pool water and 1 shot of distilled water. My result was 3 x 2 = 6 CL


Thanks for the tip