Hopefully...minor clarity issue

[buki5]

Thanks again all.

I've been testing CL levels at least 2 times a day to understand what is happening. The run down of the last 20 hours or so is this. Weather is Sunny and warm.

Last night added the extra bleach suggested by Watermom. I was at 11.05 plus another bottle which should have taken me to around 14.5. Checked this morning before work (left pool open overnight) and measured around 14. Covered the pool for the day, came home and measured again (about 11 hours) and got a 12.5. Kids swam, dog swam, I swam (2.5 hours passed, I checked CL again and measured 8.5. Added 2.84 gal 6% and leaving open overnight. Will measure before I go to bed later and expect a 14.5 to 15 reading. Will check again in the morning. My money says it will be in range of 13 to 13.5 then when I get home am expecting around 11.

Will keep you posted.

[Watermom]

Sounds like you are getting control of this pool! I still think, if it were me, that I would do a partial drain and refill, but glad you are getting to swim some. After all, that is what having a pool is all about! Have a great weekend!

[buki5]

Couple more things...
Do I understand correctly that the belief of the BBB method is that you only need to shock if you are having or starting an algae or known pathogen problem? I'm referring to the PS statement of shocking weekly?

Also, RE: CYA testing I've tested using the add 7oz water then add 7oz regent shake like hell then drop until you can't see the black dot enough to go through a little over 2 bottles (.75oz) of regent. Every single time I don't get half way to the 100 mark before I can't see the dot. basically the fluid drops out almost white. The first couple of times I thought for sure I was doing something wrong but in reading I haven't seen anything to have me do any different and my tests have been consistent.

For background this is a pool with a power cover and the Pentair 300 3" tab chlorinator adn when I moved in the valve on the Pentair was set at the max setting. I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of the water is years old and the prior owners were struggling to keep the water clear. Based on what I'm seeing on here Regarding the tabs I'm not real surprised...now. (although I was the first few times).

Brian

[aylad]

As far as shocking goes, there is no need to shock weekly just on principle--you need to shock the water if 1) it's cloudy, 2) you have a CC of more than 0.5, or 3)you start seeing indications of impending algae bloom. There are some people who never shock the pools except when getting ready for closing--and then there are those who shock more frequently "just because".

It doesn't surprise me that your CYA is that high, if tabs are all the previous owners used with this pool. It doesn't matter that the water is "old", but lowering that CYA will definitely make the pool easier to manage! Can you imagine what nightmares the previous owners had trying to get/keep it clear?

Janet

[smileitsachoice]

I know this reply is a little late, but I just went through the same problem. I drained about 10k gallons out and got my cya down between 60-70. This was the best thing I could have done. Water is really easier to manage, and cheaper.

[buki5]

Update and pretty much all good news. Have been checking the water pretty much twice daily to monitor cl usage. Had a close call on the 1 36 or 48 hour period that I didn't check cl as it dropped to about 4 and looked like algae was getting ready to go two days before a pool event for one of my kids. Hopped up the cl and managed to get us through the night. Cleaned up and has been good since. Had a good weekend in the pool over the 4th.

Am now in the process of draining. down about 13 inches. I have a hose running onto a lounger to minimize mixing of water and my skimmers are turned off to pull water from the bottom drain.

Have been "bumping" the filter as well figure we can start it new at the same time. Goal is to leave about 4-6 inches in the shallow end and then turn the pump off for the refill. Going camping next weekend so this will give us some time to stabilize the chemicals and cl demand before everyone wants to hop in again.

BTW, have probably gone through 20 1.42 gal jugs of cl keeping it in the 8-12 ppm range. (remember my CYA is so high I can't really measure it).

Thanks for the help. Going to test my fill water shortly.

Cheers

Brian

[buki5]

Frustration...
Drained 10,000 gallons from the pool and refilled....(actually, somewhat more than this as I was filling at the surface while I was draining.

Pool tests this morning
FC-3
CC-0.5
TC-3.5
Ph-7.4
TA-120
CH-120
CYA-100+ (a few drops below the 100 line). Tested (poured mix back in bottle and retested...3 times...went outside and checked temps,skimmers, etc to kill time and re-rean the test)

After testing I added 3, 1.42 gal of 6%. Water is clear and fine. Need to vacuum the bottom otherwise it looks in good shape.

However, I still am running a huge CYA number and need to use chlorine by the truckload.

[buki5]

Two consecutive posts. While I'm at it...RE: CYA.

Looks like if I want to raise my CYA level 5 ppm. It will take about 1 lb disolved in the pool.

18x36 9' deep end 3.5 ish shallow end rectangle.

When I did my CYA test it was full a little past the 30 marker and I think I could faintly see the dot at the bottom.

Everyone concur with adding the 1 lb of CYA. I'm skitish since I was way off the charts all of last year.

[Watermom]

In an 18K pool, each pound of CYA should increase the reading by about 7ppm. I think you can add 1 to 1-1/2 lbs to start with. Wait a week to make sure it is dissolved and then retest and then you can decide if you need to add more.

Regarding your alk, you can add some baking soda to bump it up some. Add a couple of lbs. at a time. Gradually increase your alk to somewhere between 80-110 or so.

[madwil]

I can understand your concerns on CYA, but anywhere in the 30-50 range should be much more manageable...
You can add the CYA in stages, add half, retest next week, then add the other half if still needed!
the alk boost will help over time, just don't overdo it...