Help with CYA, pH, FC, and CC

[samsoccer7]

First time having a pool. Was opened professionally last week. The tests have been basically zero FC, zero CYA.

Today:
FC: 0
CC: 0
CYA: 10?
pH: less than 7
TA: 250
CH: 300

Over the last few days I’ve added 6 lbs of CYA stabilizer With the sock method. I added the last pound now.

Should I add borax? Should I add liquid stabilizer? Should I add any bleach now or wait until CYA comes up? I’ve added several gallons of bleach over the week and it seems to burn off quickly which is expected with the CYA, but I was trying to learn and read at the same time.

 

[reggiehammond]

FC as soon as possible.
Assume the CYA you added is there, even if the testing doesn't show it precisely. Dose based on that amount.

Get your signature filled out so we have an idea what you're working with

 

[samsoccer7]

FC as soon as possible.
Assume the CYA you added is there, even if the testing doesn't show it precisely. Dose based on that amount.

Get your signature filled out so we have an idea what you're working with

Thank you. I just added 2 gallons of 10% bleach. Should I add more to aim for 12 ppm for a CYA of 30? That would mean adding about 1.7 more gallons.

 

[RookiePick]

12ppm at 30 is SLAM level. If you are wanting to SLAM I think you need to get the pH up a bit first as Chlorine is more aggressive at lower pH. You want to do this stuff by the book when you don't have experience under your belt imo. Aim for 5ppm FC and sit tight if you are unsure how to proceed. Someone clever is never too far away here.

Do you have algae you are trying to treat? I don't think you have said?

Thank you. I just added 2 gallons of 10% bleach. Should I add more to aim for 12 ppm for a CYA of 30? That would mean adding about 1.7 more gallons.12ppm

 

[reggiehammond]

Are you thinking you need to use SLAM process? Water clear?

I’d target 5-6ppm and see how it goes. Might be worth it to do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test (OCLT).

 

[samsoccer7]

12ppm at 30 is SLAM level. If you are wanting to SLAM I think you need to get the pH up a bit first as Chlorine is more aggressive at lower pH. You want to do this stuff by the book when you don't have experience under your belt imo. Aim for 5ppm FC and sit tight if you are unsure how to proceed. Someone clever is never too far away here.

Do you have algae you are trying to treat? I don't think you have said?

I did have algae and I brushed it all and it seems to be gone. I do have some cloudiness that developed over the last 24-36 hrs as I was adding CYA and not adding much more FC.

 

[samsoccer7]

Are you thinking you need to use SLAM process? Water clear?

I’d target 5-6ppm and see how it goes. Might be worth it to do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test (OCLT).

It got cloudy over the last 24-36 hrs as I focused on getting CYA up and mostly stopped chlorine. I can see the bottom of the shallow and mid area but it’s not clear, definitely.

 

[RookiePick]

I think get to the 5ppm and hang tight for a bit until someone with the correct answers stops through. The 5ppm will keep the pool holding its ground against algae.

You need to get the pH up to 7.2 for SLAM (and simply up in the recommended ranges) but I am not experienced enough to offer advice about the priority list and your TA is well outside of range on the high side, so there may be some pitfalls to simply throwing pH adjuster at it.

 

[wireform]

No FC and NO CYA can be an indication of ammonia. READ ON

 

[samsoccer7]

No FC and NO CYA can be an indication of ammonia. READ ON

Thank you. I’ve been able to detect FC before. But I don’t have any CC either. Seems ammonia shows high CC. I will consider this but I’m not sure I’m there yet.

 

[wireform]

Thank you. I’ve been able to detect FC before. But I don’t have any CC either. Seems ammonia shows high CC. I will consider this but I’m not sure I’m there yet.

This in my opinion is step #1 so there's no further waste of effort or resources. CC isn't always high with ammonia.

 

[PoolStored]

I agree with @wireform It is easy to put FC in until it holds. You need to get FC up first anyway. Chlorine is king of the chemical chart.

 

[samsoccer7]

Thank you. I’ve been able to detect FC before. But I don’t have any CC either. Seems ammonia shows high CC. I will consider this but I’m not sure I’m there yet.

Just checked FC again and it’s 0.8. I added 2 gallons a couple hours ago.

CC is about 0.6 now.

 

[samsoccer7]

This in my opinion is step #1 so there's no further waste of effort or resources. CC isn't always high with ammonia.

I will get an ammonia test and report back.

This? https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/api-freshwatersaltwater-ammonia-test-kit

 

[wireform]

You don't need the ammonia test. read the article I indicated to for all the about ammonia and how to irradiate it. Have enough LC and keep pouring it in till you can keep the FC at 10 for 10-15 minutes. At that point your done with the ammonia and follow the slam method .......

 

[Newdude]

Seems ammonia shows high CC.

Only while it's consuming the recently added chlorine. Shortly thereafter, there is no FC, no CCs and no CYA.

 

[samsoccer7]

You don't need the ammonia test. read the article I indicated to for all the about ammonia and how to irradiate it. Have enough LC and keep pouring it in till you can keep the FC at 10 for 10-15 minutes. At that point your done with the ammonia and follow the slam method .......

Understood. Just ordered a bunch from Walmart and will work on this as soon as I can. Full time job away from home and two young kids makes this hard to do!

 

[samsoccer7]

Added 3 gallons to get to 10ppm. 25 min later I was at around 1.0 FC. Added 3 more gallons. Waiting. I think I’m doing this right. I have 14 more gallons. Must have a lot of ammonia plus around half of the CYA I added has converted.

 

[PoolStored]

Keep going!

 

[samsoccer7]

Keep going!

Just checked and it’s 1.2. Added 3 more gallons.