pool store ethics?
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Oh, No! You have been "Pool Stored"! None of those chemicals will address your problems and will just make it worse. But we can help. Before I begin, please understand that you are not at fault. You are a VICTIM! If I seem to criticize, please don't take it personally. It is not directed at you. It just infuriates me and many others here whenever a new victim comes to us, upset, hurting, and out a lot of wasted money.Originally Posted by henssguitars
First of: NEVER add a calcium increaser again. Calcium is solely for concrete or plaster pools, to protect the calcium in the mortar and plaster. You have a vinyl pool. At best the calcium does nothing and empties your wallet. At worst it turns your water cloudy and contributes to scaling. Pool stores sell unsuspecting victims calcium all the time.
Second: Total Alkalinity increase is nothing but baking soda, NO MATTER WHAT THEY TELL YOU! It's the same chemical Arm&Hammer sells in the orange box. Plus, when fighting an algae bloom it is NOT going to help. Combine THAT with lots of calcium and...VOILA! A milky pool.
Next they will try to sell you a phosphate remover--that's their latest scam. It won't help.
Fourth: You have two choices. You fight algae with Baq products and I don't have much expertise on that, or you can begin the conversion to chlorine now (Might as well--your pool's already in a bad state) which will make your pool look WORSE for a while.
Fifth: Go back to the pool store and get them to re-test your water. Don't buy anything, but say something like "I want to see what progress I'm making" or some such. Do not take their recommendations--they have already shown they sell you what they think they can con you into buying.
Sixth: Insist they give you the following results:
Level of Baq in the water (Should be equivalent to Free Chlorine and Combined Chlorine--somebody who knows Baq can lay that out)
pH
Total Alkalinity (now very high)
Total or Calcium Hardness (also very high)
Stabilizer (if such a thing is used in Baq).
Seventh: Get your own test kit. If you are converting you will need it, and when you are done it will be worth every penny. We recommend either the Taylor Technologies K-2006 or K-2006C, or from Leslies on-line the FAS-DPD Service Test Kit (same as the K-2006). There are other FAS-DPD test kits available on-line, but not too many. You can't find them in pool stores. This kit will repay you many, many times over.
Eigth: In this section, read up on PHMB conversions. It's going to take lots and lots of chlorine. Depending on where you live, it may be easiest to use bleach--unscented, regular bleach, either normal (5.25%) or ultra (6%). Some pool stores sell 12% Liquid Chlorine, sometimes labeled "Liquid Shock"--if it costs more than double the 6%, don't buy it. Many sell 5 gallon blue carboys of the stuff. If they do, you can use it but be sure to buy a re-usable nozzle for--about $4. You will use a LOT of chlorine!
Ninth: We are here to help. Your pool store is clearly out to separate you from your money and will NOT help. They will never recommend simple, clear steps, but it will always be some other wonder chemical--that won't work.
Tenth and last: You will need one final, crucial ingredient: P.O.P.P. This stands for Pool Owner Patience and Persistence.
In fact, when I screwed up on an online order a few months ago and called them, they fixed it over the phone. However, I've never asked them for advice--I just order what I need. Sorry to hear you had that experience with them...
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