what problem do i tackle first!

[AnnaK]

Please don't put it in all at once. It's best to be conservative when adding CYA and some other things. It's much easier to add more later than to take some out if you overshoot.

A CYA of 50 ppm is a good number to work with for most pools and the 9 pounds will get you close enough to it, either up or down a little but not enough so it would matter.

Put 3 or 4 cups worth in an old tube sock, knot the top or tie it off with a zip tie. You then fasten this in front of a return so the water hits it when the pump is running, or you can put it in the skimmer basket but it has to be done in such a way that it doesn't plug the hole and impede suction back to the pump.

CYA can be pretty slow to dissolve so this might take a couple of days.

What does the product container say about adding it? Does it say anything about pre-dissolving in a bucket of water? That's another method which works really well—but not all stabilizer products can be pre-dissolved.

[poolhelp101]

it says to slowly add thru skimmer or broadcast in the pool. i have put about about 2 cups in by skimmer and i may have 5 or 6 cups in the sock and placed in front of the jets...is that too much? do i need to take some out? thanks anna!

[AnnaK]

You don't need to take any out of the sock, you're fine.

What kind of filter do you have? If you've posted that already I've missed it. Please refresh my memory: sand, DE, cartridge?

[poolhelp101]

its a sand filter

[AnnaK]

Okay, thanks.

The stabilizer you added via the skimmer is going to get hung up in the sand filter until it has dissolved. This may take a day or two, depending on the stabilizer. The flaked product seems to dissolve quicker than granular stabilizer.

Do not backwash for a while or you'll just wash it all out of the sand.

Have you given some thought to buying a FAS-DPD test kit so you can do your own testing and don't have to rely on the pool store? Pool stores aren't always entirely reliable with their water testing.

How does your water look today? Still cloudy?

I'm signing off for the day, I'll check back in tomorrow.

[poolhelp101]

the pool is clear, blue. cloudiness is all gone. checked the cya this morning and it is still low. the chlorine is still holding this morning, but it is very sunny today so im sure it will be non existent before the day is out. i tried buying a kit at the pool store yesterday, but they had none so i am going to have to order one. you had suggested the taylor k-2006. do you have any suggestions as to the best place to buy as i will have to order that online. also, should i wait until the cya is better before trying to use the absoric acid to get rid of the brown stains? thanks again. you have been so helpful!

[AnnaK]

Great news on the clear, blue water! That's what we're all shooting for.

As to the Taylor test kit K-2006 I like www.amantoind.com for online shopping. The direct link to the K-2006 and K-2006C is <http://www.amatoind.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=k2006&x=0&y=0> ; the 2006C has more reagent than the 2006. I like Amato because they ship very quickly and have refills available in different quantities.

You said the chlorine is still holding this morning. What is the FC and CC level, do you know?

Has the CYA in the tube sock dissolved yet?

My personal approach is 'one thing at a time'. I'd get the CYA project finished before tackling the stains and the iron in the water.