Yes, this is making more sense. I need to read Jason's post some more but I want to go test & shock again if indicated, it's been an hour. I'll ignore all I can since I have enough to master


Algae isn'y the only reason we shock. We shock when you have algae, or the (CC) level is above 0.5, or the free chlorine (FC) level is zero. So these non-algea reasons you'll do at night or not necessarily?

Gotta go test.
Again, thanks

For tonight's hourly testing.
I need only test FC since that is all I'll be doing -shocking.

(Not lazy, dwindiling R-0871 concern)

11:20pm about 1.5hr after shocking w 5.9 (96oz)jugs

FC still at 1.5
so hit it w another 5.9 (96oz)jugs, right?

I'd say yes.


Sidenote....where'dya buy the bleach and did you get tons of stares on the amount that you bought?

OK, I gotta jump in here....this is getting too complicated for even ME to follow.
It's a pool, not rocket science.
When you shock really is not all that critical when push comes to shove as long as you shock high enough to get the desired results. How high you need to shock really depends on what you are doing (Killing mustard algae or pink slime takes mUCH higher FC levels than just trying to get rid of some extra CC from the weekend pool party).
If you spend some time and play with the pool calculator it gets easier. It can be a bit intimidating at first because it presents everything all at once. However, once you get used to it and learn to just look at the sections you need at the moment it gets very easy to use, almost second nature.

Hourly testing is probably overkill but it's not going to hurt and might actually help. I think it's safe to assume that you have a chlorine demand from ammonia in your water most likely from the bacterial degradation of your CYA while the pool was closed. It's not uncommon but it does not happen to everyone. It's probably less of a pain to fix than what I think most of us were expecting, which was CYA off the charts from your trichlor tab use. It will take a bit of time and a lot of chlorine to get rid of but it's not that big a deal.
Remember, this is a pool. You don't have to micromanage it. Proper testing is the MOST important thing. If your chem dosing is slightly off it's not the end of the world (as long as you don't do something dumb like dump in too much acid and drop the pH very low!) If the pool calculator says you need 135 oz of bleach pour in a gallon and call it a night! Get the idea?

Also, and this is probably the most important thing for you to realize, we are not 'tolerating you' as you said in a previous post. We are trying to walk you through what is a very confusing thing for someone who does not have an understanding of pool care. However, as just about every member on here will tell you, that is a very short lived condition and it all starts to fall into place very quickly! Just give it a bit of time and be gentle on yourself. In the mean time we are here!

Cool, I'll do it.
Got it at Walmart, $1.54/96oz (good deal or no?)
Twice "Yer gonna do some power washin- ain't ya"

Off to shock & will test an hour thereafter.

Bump See my previous post. I think I got pre-empted by frustratedpoolmom

Just saw Waterbear's last post. Thanks
Yea its just a pool & not the end of the world.
Yes the calc is already easier, all the unecessary( unecessary now) stuff was distracting.

"Hourly testing is probably overkill but it's not going to hurt and might actually help." If it'll help I'll try it. My schedule doesn't always allow me the time I have lately so I'm trying to hit this stuff the best I can now. I read threads about "if you don't keep at the Cl you gotta start all over", maybe that is just algae but it did frighten me- like I wanted to avoid that.

THANKS AGAIN

btw, I got the "hourly testing & shocking" thing from the PSchool article.

1:20am test, about an hour since last shocking
FC 1
so going to add 6 (96 oz) jugs

3:40am test

FC 0.5 (barely turned pink from the powder, but it was pink & did go to clear in one drop)

So I need to add 4 gallons 3 quarts or 6.2 (96 oz) jugs
I'll go do this.
It seems that on each test a bit more is required- everything is ok?

This will be my last addition of bleach till you guys chime in.

I assume you don't want me to testnext till a sunless evening hour tomarrow since you don't want me adding bleach till then?

I don't have sun till about 10am so if you want me to test & shock BEFORE 10am, then let me know.

Keep adding chlorine until you begin to register more significant FC that mostly holds. It may take a lot, but you will get there eventually. If you see a flash of pink with the chlorine test powder (i.e. if it doesn't stay pink), add another scoop to have the pink stay visible and then add drops that you count as usual.

Thanks Chem Geek, appreciate your helping

8:40am test, about 5 hrs after last added bleach.

FC 2
Target still 15, so
So I need to add 4 gallons 1 quart or 5.6 (96 oz) jugs
I'll go do this now. Have about 1 hr till sunlight on the pool (btw I go by direct sunlight, not daylight, right)

This will be my last addition of bleach till till a sunless hour test around 6:00pm unless
you guys tell me differently.
If it matters, suppossed to have a hail/thunder storm "later this afternoon- want me to take advantage of that sunless time & add bleach if the test indicates?

"It'll take a lot of Cl". Any guess how much? I don't care if its 400 jugs, not impatient, just curious & that'll help everyone. Perhaps its impossible to determine because of variables, I can understand that too.

Thanks

It sounds like things are moving along well now. Hopefully you can start to trust your test results and use of the Pool Calculator. You have been doing very well on both of those recently. If you move along the way you have been going, the pool should start to hold an FC level sometime soon, perhaps tonight, more likely tomorrow night.

The whole only shock at night thing is a minor optimization to save you some money/effort, it isn't something you need to understand nor should you turn it into a general rule. It isn't a general rule, it is quite specific to this particular situation.

It is very difficult to guess at exactly how much chlorine you will need. My guess is that from here you will need a little bit more than you have used so far. It could vary from that quite a bit, though I would be surprised if you needed more than twice that much.

Ditto for the shock every hour. It's going to speed up the process but it's not etched in stone!

As Jason said, you are doing great through an opening that has not been the smoothest in the world. We has to help you iron out a few kinks but you are really doing a great job!

6:15pm test, about 8.5 hrs after last added bleach.

FC 1
Target still 15, so
I added 6 (96 oz) jugs of bleach
water is clear (it HAD a very slight light yellow tint at or after the am bleach addition, unsure if from Cl or the yellow pollen we get or something else)

Got some rain today, maybe 1/8 inch, water level is perfect. Was cloudy practically all day.

I'll be testing/shocking hourly all night tonight as late as I can hang.

We'll be following your progress....

I'll be offline for awhile, going to Good Friday services.

Good luck!

7:45pm, about 90 minutes after last added bleach.

FC 12, cool
Target still 15, so
I added 3 quarts 3 cups or 1.3 (96 oz) jugs of bleach
water is clear

**Please advise re: **
I have about 1/4-inch of the R-0871 remaining. The test above took 24 drops. I hope to get 2 more tests like the above, maybe 3? Maybe 4?
I will test in 1.5hour unless you say not to.
When would you'd like me to perform my tests?
Today is Friday, ought to receive my order Monday (if it comes tomarrow- super, I can deal w that).

Got some rain today, maybe 1/8 inch, water level is perfect. Was cloudy practically all day.
Severe thunderstorms possible/probable tonight.
Sat & Sun: suuny, near 70F daytime & 40F at night

If I read correctly, FC was 12 after 90 minutes. That means you are getting very close. The reaction slows down significantly at this point, so you can test and add chlorine much less frequently. The minimum would be once more tonight as late as you feel like staying up, and once each on Saturday and Sunday evenings. If you think you have enough reagent left you could test and add chlorine more frequently than that.

This is sooo exciting. We REALLY need an "eating popcorn" emoticon for the forum.....