Adding chlorine while doing drain and fill

[Jpolsen]

I calculate that my CYA is over 200 using the black dot method and using half tap water/doubling results. According to the (you all are right, they don't know much) pool store, my FC and TC is at 5-6. Clearly I need to add chlorine. My question is, should I be adding it while I'm doing the drain and fill? According to pool math, I need to replace nearly 75% of my water. I don't want to drain away my chlorine also.

Also, the only method I have to drain the pool is using my pool pump and diverting it through a hose before it gets to the filter. This works great until the level of the water drops to the bottom of the skimmer, then it just sucks air. I turned off the skimmer and put an orange (no tennis balls available) over the hole, but it still sucks air and causes the pump to lose prime. Any suggestions? I've resorted to filling at a slightly higher rate than I drain, also filling in the shallow end and draining from the deep end just to keep the skimmer happy.

Help?!

 

[duraleigh]

I would get a tennis ball. I would also not worry about chlorine this time of year....just don't take 10 days to complete it.....that might be stretching your luck.

 

[Casey]

You can drain n fill simultaneously by running 2 hoses. One to fill n one to drain at opposite ends of the pool so you're not running dry. I also agree with Dave in not worrying about adding FC until your CYA is in check.

 

[otter86753]

Also, the only method I have to drain the pool is using my pool pump and diverting it through a hose before it gets to the filter. This works great until the level of the water drops to the bottom of the skimmer, then it just sucks air. I turned off the skimmer and put an orange (no tennis balls available) over the hole, but it still sucks air and causes the pump to lose prime. Any suggestions? I've resorted to filling at a slightly higher rate than I drain, also filling in the shallow end and draining from the deep end just to keep the skimmer happy.

Help?!

If you have a manual vacuum, you can put that in the deep end and connect the hose in the skimmer and drain as far down as you need. I trust you have checked your water table to ensure you don't "pop" the pool?