Chlorine and calcium low

[mrszaff]

Thank you! Maybe I'm still fighting the bromine from the mustard algae.
How much Borax should I add?
Also, My chlorinator is now empty, what is the best kind of tablet to keep in it?
I appreciate your help!

[aylad]

IF it's an inline chlorinator, the only kind of tabs you can put in it is trichlor--but don't get the "dual acting" ones, because the "dual" means they've added copper. Watch out, though, because it will lower your pH, and yours is already on the low end. It's okay where it is, and you don't necessarily need to add any Borax, but just make sure the trichlor doesn't drop it below 7.0

Janet

[nthach]

IF it's an inline chlorinator, the only kind of tabs you can put in it is trichlor--but don't get the "dual acting" ones, because the "dual" means they've added copper. Watch out, though, because it will lower your pH, and yours is already on the low end. It's okay where it is, and you don't necessarily need to add any Borax, but just make sure the trichlor doesn't drop it below 7.0

Janet

You can also buy cal hypo tablets too - I know Leslie's can order it from PPG.

[aylad]

yes, but they are usually enclosed in plastic, and you cannot use them in a chlorinator.

Janet

[mrszaff]

I received my test kit in the mail today. Here are the readings I get,
Free CHlorine 0
CC .2
PH 7.3
Alk 70
CYA is showing > 100 is that possible?

I will shock again tomorrow and try watermom's advice

[Watermom]

Yes, it is possible to have a cya > 100. The cya test is the hardest test to read. Try it again and see what you get. If you have been using trichlor tabs for a long time, it may very well be over 100. If that is the case, if it were my pool, I'd do a partial drain and refill. (probably about half the water which would take your cya down to 50 and would be much more manageable.)

Alk and pH are ok.

Also, do shock the pool. How does the water look?

[mrszaff]

I'll try it again tomorrow, the pool looks perfect.
thanks

[mrszaff]

hi all,
Since my last post 6/16 I only added 1 gallon of liquid shock and my chlorine has stayed pretty steady.I haven't added anything since. I Just let the chlorinator run. Here are the readings I got today with my very own test kit.

Free Chlorine 4.5
CC .5
PH 7.1
Alk 60
CYA is still>100 unless I am doing it wrong, I noticed when Leslies did it a month ago it was 35

how much baking soda and borax should I add?

The pool is clear and 80 degrees, I back washed this morning and it looked a little cloudy/white coming out of the hose, I rinsed it as well.

thanks!

[waterbear]

The only "gimmick" I've seen that somewhat works is Green To Clean.

.

This is just a source of organic ammonia to create monochloramine and negate the effects of high CYA. It (and sodium bromide) are often a cure worse than the disease since they create a huge chlorine demand after.
Monochloramine does help kill algae since they see it as a food source, a lethal one.

[waterbear]

You can also buy cal hypo tablets too - I know Leslie's can order it from PPG.

cal hypo tablets cannot be used in an unvented erosion feeder! To do so is dangerous. There are special cal hypo feeders available for cal hypo tabs .
Also you should NEVER mix trichlor and cal hypo. It can cause an explosion!

There are several brands of cal hypo tabs besides the PPG ones but they all dissolve rather fast so they are not suitable for erosion feeders. They are used in skimmers or special vented feeders.