New Pool Test Sample, Stabilizer ?

[linnye]

Yes I have a test kit , it goes to 3. I've been testing my water myself but did take it to have tested , don't know what method they used but will find out. I failed to mention that we have not even used the pool even once since set up , no one has been in it . This is why I am concerned about the drop in chlorine levels just overnight. I used 6 cups liquid chlorine (10%) the first dose , 3 cups the second, and lastnight I put in 4 cups , haven't teseted yet this morning . I have 1 more gallon that's 10% then I'm using 12% . So to put in a little stabilizer or not ? I am only using chlorine and algeacide at this time . I did not want to do anymore until I got suggestions here . As to the test results for today I will post chlorine , ph and alkalinity as soon as I get them.
Thanks!

[Watermom]

So, if this is a new pool and a fresh fill and you have put in only liquid chlorine, then there is no way you could have a cya (stabilizer) reading. That is why you are losing all your chlorine. It is expected that you will lose all your chlorine in a pool with no stabilizer. You do need to add some stabilizer, but just go slow with it. It takes about a week for all of it to dissolve. Aim for an initial reading of about 30. You can always add more if you need to but the only way to lower it is to do a partial drain.

One question, if you have only been using liquid chlorine, how did you ever get a cya reading of 40 in the first place?

[linnye]

I had the water hauled in so I'm not sure how I could have gotten a reading for CYA either .
If I get my alkalinity down will it also lower my ph ?

Latest Reading 8-04-08
Alkalinity 130
PH 8.0
Chlorine 1.5

[aylad]

Actually, to lower your alk, you add acid until your pH is 7.0 (which drops your alk at the same time), then aerate your water to let the pH rise again without raising the alk.

Since CYA testing is a turbidity test, if you had anything clouding your water at the time of the test, it could give a false reading. If you haven't added any CYA yet, you definitely need to--otherwise all your chlorine is going to waste!

Janet

[linnye]

Ok , so which to do first ? The Stabilizer or the Acid ? And any special instructions for either ?

[aylad]

You can add the stabilizer either by pouring it slowly into the skimmer, then not backwashing or cleaning your filter for at least a week, (it takes a long time to dissolve and start showing up as a testable level in the water, so don't bother testing for it for 4-5 days, either) or put it in an old sock or knee-hi and either put that in the skimmer or suspend it in front of a return.
Follow the instructions on the container for the amount to add--you want to shoot for 20-30 ppm at first, then you can adjust it from there.

To lower your pH (and alk) you can either use dry acid (labeled pH down) or liquid muriatic acid. The muriatic is cheaper and more efficient, but be very careful not to get it in your eyes or on skin, and don't breathe the fumes from the container. I'd start with about 3/4 cup of acid, pour it slowly into the return stream, then give it a few hours to circulate and retest. Keep going til your pH is 7.0, then stop adding acid and begin to aerate your water so your pH will come back up without raising your alk. I would strongly advise you to wear gloves, glasses, and old clothes!

Janet