Need Help!

[wxwmn02]

This is the kit I bought...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

I added 1.42 gallon bottle of bleach to the pool. I added a little bit at first and then a couple of hours later I checked the level (with a strip), but the color wasn't a bright purple for a high level so I added the entire bottle. I will check it in the morning to see what the level is.

[Watermom]

Yep, that's the right kit, but not as good a price as we've seen at other places. At any rate, hope you get it soon so you can start playing chemist!

[wxwmn02]

Here is the tool kit I bought.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product

I added about 3/4 of a 1.42 gallon bottle of bleach and then tested the water about 2 hours later and the strip didn't show enough in there so I added a little more. I will go out this morning and see how much is in there.

I thought of something over night. When I first started shocking the pool I added the shock to skimmer forgetting that I needed to add it to water first to let it dissolve. Could that have something to do with it?

[CarlD]

That's the right kit, the Taylor K-2006. You MIGHT have been able to get it for $20 cheaper but over this year alone it will save you that many times over. The main tests you'll use are:
FAS-DPD for FC and CC
pH
T/A (total Alk)
CYA (Stabilizer)
CH (hardness)

I think they have an acid and base demand tests as well but you won't need to worry about them much, if at all.

Since you have a vinyl pool you'll probably not need to run the CH test more than once or twice during and ONLY if you suspect your calcium levels are too high. I run it at the beginning of the season for a baseline, but only occasionally run it a second time during the summer.

So go ahead and use your new kit! BTW, the FAS-DPD needs only enough powder to turn the solution red. More does nothing. If one scoop is enough, it's enough.
Post results for:
FC
CC
pH
T/A
CYA
CH

[aylad]

I thought of something over night. When I first started shocking the pool I added the shock to skimmer forgetting that I needed to add it to water first to let it dissolve. Could that have something to do with it?

If you have backwashed the filter since you added the "shock", then it has been washed away and won't be available for your pool. If you have not backwashed the filter, then it will dissolve and eventually make it into your pool--after it finishes sanitizing anything that may be in your filter, if there's any left. If you use granular chlorine in the future, you might want to pre-dissolve it in a bucket of water and pour it in , very slowly, in front of a return so that you get the full benefit of it in the pool instead of in the filter.

Janet

[wxwmn02]

The kit has shipped so hopefully I'll get it in the next couple of days. I have kept the chlorine level high as you suggested, but still no change. I am beyond curious to know what the calcium level is so if that's the problem I can fix it.

[wxwmn02]

Do I want an combined chlorine when I do my test?

[CarlD]

Do I want an combined chlorine when I do my test?

No, Zero CC is the best number. But you want to KNOW the CC when you test the water. You either need to test for it or for total chlorine since:

TC = FC +CC

So, if you know FC, then, if you have TC, you can compute CC.

[wxwmn02]

FC = 7.8
CC = 0

Still cloudy. Adding bleach now to get it back up to 15. Not sure what the level was yesterday...will have ask hubby and get back to you.

[Watermom]

Yay for 0 CC!!!! Keep it at shock level. How many times a day are you testing? Test and dose at least twice a day and more often will just speed up the process. It isn't possible to test and dose too often. The sustained high cl is what is needed. If it drops significantly before the next dose of bleach, it just slows everything down. IF your chlorine doesn't drop more than 1ppm overnight and you still show 0 CC in the morning, then it might be time to use our DE trick for helping sand filters trap the fine stuff. See this thread for info about that. You also might get some skimmer socks to use.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=3742

You only gave two readings. You have the others?

Getting closer! Have you been reading any of the other threads where people have had a similar problem to yours who made it to the other side and now have sparkling, clear water? If not, do so. It will give you some hope that you're gonna get there, too!