New Pool Owner With High Iron

[CarlD]

OK,
Let's start again. Get us a full set of test numbers, including metal content. DO NOT ADD ANYTHING UNTIL THEN!

Your pool guy told you your FC was too high at 4ppm. In my judgement, that immediately disqualifies him to offer any advice. You cannot clear up a cloudy pool if you live by the rule that 3ppm is as high as you should go. 3-6ppm is normal FC for pool maintenance when your CYA (stabilizer) level is 30ppm.

You cannot pick and choose between contradicting advice. Either he's right or we are. You have to decide. MBar knows the metal problems better than anyone here with the possible exception of Chem_Geek or PoolDoc.

Tell the guy at the pool store you NOW need his help with the testing to monitor your water (after all you bought stuff from him--it's the least he can do) but don't buy ANYTHING ELSE until we see the results.

CarlD

[labdi01]

Hi Carl,

Thanks for you message.

Here are my numbers:

pH - 7.4
TA - 130
Cl - 4
FC - 4
CYA - 0
Iron - 0.5

I have had stabilizer in since last night when Marie advised I start the bleach - it's not completely dissolved yet (wondering if it takes a bit of time to register - ?). I haven't added anything else since last night (except D.E. in my sand filter).

The water looks a little darker brown to me and it remains pretty clear - but not sure if it looks darker because the sun is directly over the pool and out - and wasn't this am
(cloudy all am).

Thanks again to everyone for their time and help. I'm just new and anxious to swim.

[CarlD]

OK,
That's better.

I'm not the metal expert but I THINK an iron level of .5 isn't a problem. MBar knows better.

CYA takes DAYS to dissolve, and the older it is, the longer it takes! You may be a week before you get a good reading.

You STILL need to follow Mbar's advice and get your FC up to shock level (at least 10ppm) and keep it there to fight what you are growing. I would go as high as 15ppm because when your CYA begins to show, that will be the shock level. She said increase it slowly, and I would do so.

Please go back and re-read her post. I think it's still what you need with my few comments added.

Marie, if you could confirm my advice......Thanks!

[labdi01]

Thanks again, Carl!

Any advice on how much more bleach I should add today? I added 6 gallons yesterday, which brought me up to 4. (too fast? Not sure what 'slow' is and although anxious, I don't want to make things worse).

[mbar]

You water may have a greenish tint because there is some staining. Blue from the color of the liner, with the yellow stains can make the water look green, but so can algae Watermom is right - I meant Borax not baking soda. However your alkalinity is fine now. Your cya will take a while to measure in the water, so that is why I suggested to leave a puck in the skimmer so that some stabilized chlorine will in the water while the sun is out. It will be impossible to keep your water at shock levels on a sunny day without cya. Until your water holds chlorine within 1ppm overnight, then you are fighting something in your water, and you will end up with another algae bloom. I would suggest putting in a little calcium - sometimes it can help clear up the colored water. But most important keep the pool at shock level which is at least 10- 15ppm like Carl said until it holds overnight. It is true that getting the water balanced and without stain is tough for a while, but once it is done it is easier to maintain. Water is so sensitive to the chemicals, and it is hard to be sure how it will react to the different ones that are already in the pool - That's why we suggest getting the water sanitized first - then balance the rest. It is why it is so good to have a good test kit - this way you can take care of your own water. Try to relax - you will be swimming in a nice clean pool One gallon of bleach will raise the chlorine by 5ppms in 10,000 gallons of water.

[labdi01]

Thank you so much Marie for checking in on vacation. I hope you're having a great time with your sister.

So, should I add one gallon of bleach at a time (and how much time in between gallons) - sorry I'm a little dense.

I did put a puck in the skimmer like you said - should I replace each time it's dissolved?

I ordered the Taylor 2006 test this am - not sure when I'll have it - I'll bring water to pool store (30 mins away) every couple of days if that's acceptable). It seems the drop test I have is way off from pool store testing.

[Watermom]

You test your water as many times a day as you can (2 at the minimum -- more is better) and each time you add enough bleach to get back to shock level.

How high does your chlorine tester that you currently have go up to on the scale? 5?

You're gonna have to test it yourself everyday -- not just every few days at the pool store. There is a dilution method that you can use to make your tester go higher than 5 which is what I expect the limit is on yours.

Take one part pool water and one part distilled water. Mix together and put some of this in your test vial. Test as usual and then multiply the result by 2. If this doesn't go high enough to help you, take one part pool water and two parts distilled water, test and multiply the result by 3, etc. This method is not super accurate but will at least get you by until your kit arrives.

Remember, each time you test, add however much bleach you have to (all at one time, don't have to wait) to get back up to shock level.

Hope this helps and I hope you get your kit soon so it will make it easier for you to clear your pool.

One more thing. Take a deep breath. Now take another one. Relax. This is gonna be cleared up before you know it and you'll be enjoying your pool!