Need Help!

[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!

[wxwmn02]

We are only testing once a day because my husband and I are out of town, but we have someone coming in the evening to do the test because they live a pretty good distance from our house.

The CC has been zero for a few days (since Sunday I think?), so should I do the DE now? Is that the same as Borax? If not, then when do I need to pu that in? What is DE?

[Watermom]

It is NOT the same as Borax. D.E. (Diatomaceous earth) powder is the filter media used in D.E. filters. It can actually filter out smaller stuff than a sand filter. Many of us with sand filters add a little to help it filter out the small stuff. You can read more info about it in the following thread:

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

When will you be home? It would help to know if you are losing more than 1ppm of chlorine from sundown to sunup the next day. We recommend that people keep a high cl level until they aren't losing more than 1ppm of cl overnight.

How does the water look?

[wxwmn02]

Ok, that sounds good and it probably will help. I have heard that a "dirty" sand filter is a little better than a clean one because there is less open areas between the sand to filter the water.

As of yesterday the water was still cloudy.

I will be home tomorrow so I can get a ready Friday night and then again early Saturday morning.

[wxwmn02]

Just checked pool chem levels. TC = 8. I added bleach to bring it back up to 15. I will check tomorrow morning for new level. I am about out of test kit chemicals. Would a pool store have that?

Water is clearing. I can see down to 3rd step on ladder whereas before I could only see to 2nd step.

Can I get DE at pool store as well? Do I need to add Borax?

I will check for the other chem levels and get back to you.

[Watermom]

A pool store should have refills and DE. How many times a day are you testing and adding bleach? Since you are back in town, tomorrow, if I was you, I would test and add more bleach every 3-4 hours throughout the weekend until you get to where you are not losing more than 1ppm of cl overnight. And, run the pump 24/7. Are you watching your filter pressure?

I don't know if you need Borax or not. You didn't list your pH. Actually, post a whole set of current water testing results.

[wxwmn02]

I was planning on checking many times tomorrow. I plan on checking tomorrow morning before the sun hits the pool and then a couple more times during the day.

I need to check my pressure. I have only been home an hour so have only had time to check pool chemicals. I'll check the rest of the stuff when things calm down a little bit.

Current chem levels:
CH = 180
CYA = 52
TA = 90
PH = 7.2
FC = 8

I know the PH is low so I plan on adding stuff for that.