With your help.. we are going from mess to success!

[Watermom]

Welcome to our forum! Sounds like you have been doing your homework and reading. There is so much good information on the forum and if you follow it, your pool is gonna look great!

First off, your chlorine numbers aren't quite right. FC + CC = TC. So, assuming that those are the numbers that your pool store gave you (and you didn't just make typos when you posted) that should be your first clue that perhaps the pool store may not really know their stuff. Please verify that those are the correct numbers.

Secondly, go ahead and add some Borax. You are ok with the pH at 7.0 but just barely. I'd feel better if you could at least get it to 7.2. Anywhere from 7.2-7.8 is ok but actually chlorine works a little better if your pH is on the low side of normal. You can go ahead and work on the pH at the same time as your chlorine. Won't hurt a thing.

I hope you didn't buy the calcium plus. Your vinyl pool doesn't need it. Take it back if you bought it. Also don't worry about the saturation index reading or total dissolved solids reading.

For a cya of 30, you need to shock up to 15 and try and keep it there. As you have read, testing at least 2 (and more is better) times per day and each time adding enough bleach to get back to shock level. For your pool, each quart of bleach will raise your cl level by a little over 1 ppm. Run the pump 24/7 while you are trying to clear the pool.

Keep us posted as to how it is going for you and if you have any more questions, ask away. We are glad to help!

[senniss]

Whoopsie.. yeah.. typo

Free Available 3.0
Total 3.8
Combined 0.8

I meant to say I had JUST got it up to shock level at 15. Been maintaining that level for 24 hours now.

Added Borax and the Ph is now 7.3

And no.. after reading the forum for a few months now, I knew not to buy the calcium plus Even mentioned to the guys that Vinyl pools don't need it right in front of another above ground pool customer they were trying to sell it to and gave them the name of this site. They also didn't buy the calcium plus. They thanked me.. I told them wasn't me.. was you guys and to come thank you all Also was able to give them a TINY bit of knowledge about the BBB method and they were surprised with the difference in cost.

This really is a great place for tips and help!!

[Watermom]

Great. Sounds like you are doing the right things. Keep us posted how it is going.

[senniss]

Day 3 and the pool was cloudy... added 8 ounces of flocculent this morning and just came in from vacuuming up a brown bottom. Pool is clearing nicely and still maintaining the shock level without much help at all..

Am having a little trouble getting the PH to stay up and the alkalinity, but am working on that...

I think we'll have a nice clear pool tomorrow with a few more brown spots, but so far looking good.

From what I've read.. I should maintain the shock level for at least 2-3 days after the algae appears to all be dead, correct? So if I have a clear pool tomorrow evening.. that would mean I could start bringing the chlorine level back down around Monday?

Also.. with the Available Chlorine... my numbers are low now.. is that gonna be a worry later?

Thanks again so much for everything!! I'm looking forward to loving my pool again!

[Watermom]

You should probably post some current water testing results.

[senniss]

Ok.. right now we are at:

FC: 2.2
TC: 17.5
PH: 6.8
TA: 120
CYA: 30

Water is clear, but a bit cloudy. I was able to vacuum again this morning (more dead algae). Now.. how long will it take chlorine levels to come down? Also, do I need to bring the level down before I let the pump rest overnight to let the debris settle to the bottom for vacuuming? Working on the PH, but can't seem to get it up there... not sure what's going on with that.. will add more Borax later this evening and see if that'll do the trick..

Anything else I might be missing?

[Watermom]

FC + CC = TC. So, something isn't right with your chlorine readings. And I know you can't possibly have a CC reading of 15.3. Try those tests again.

Keep adding the Borax. Most kits won't register a pH reading below 6.8 so if you get a reading of 6.8 it could be MUCH lower than that in reality. PH below 7.0 is acidic and can damage your pool so it is CRITICAL that you get that pH up ASAP! Go ahead and add 3/4 of a box of Borax at a time until the pH starts to move and then go with smaller additions. After you add some, wait about 2-3 hours and then retest and redose. Don't put this off or you could damage your pool. Do it ASAP. (Meaning --- now, not this evening!)