Pool/patio/yard construction was most of last year so this is really the first full season. Last year, I followed the plan and had a sparkling pool. My wife was impressed. I'll take that as a win.
Last week, the person that build the pool came by to open it. Everything was working, the water was a bit murky and he seemed to think it would have turned in another week or so. We put in a lot of chlorine and I brushed and vacuumed and brushed some more. The water cleared nicely but it was still just a little cloudy. I broke out the handy dandy test kit and FC was 12 and I didn't notice any CC. From other threads I had read through, it sounded like I need to SLAM. Before I get into it, here are the original numbers:
FC-12
CC-0
TC-12
CH-100
TA-40
CYA-40
PH-6.8
I brought the ph up to 7.2 with some Borax I had and the FC to 16. This was mid afternoon.
at 8:00, the FC was 14 so I added chlorine and somehow overshot 16 and went right to 20. Not sure how I pulled that off.
Next morning at 7:45, the FC was 17 and the water had that sparkle I had gotten used to last year.
Cloudy day, 8:00 PM FC was 16
Following morning, FC was still 16.
New day:
Now, completely proud of myself, I set out to bump up the TA a little and raise the PH closer to 7.5.
I added 100 oz of baking soda and 16 oz of Soda Ash. A little while later, I added 50 more oz of baking soda.
Did a full set of water testing tonight:
FC-5.5
CC-0
TC-5.5
CH-100
TA-40
CYA-40
PH-7.5
Now, pool math says by the time I was done with everything, my TA should have gone up at least 30 instead of staying flat. What did I do wrong?
Also, I smell it, but my wife doesn't. There is definitely a slight odor to the pool water that kind of comes and goes. It was definitely stronger when the cover came off. I had thought it was the pool water having 3 times the amount of chlorine than usual but I can still smell it sometimes. I'd describe the smell as new plastic gassing off if that makes any sense. The few hits I got searching the forum recommend waiting it out. That still a good plan?
Thanks in advance for the assistance.
Last week, the person that build the pool came by to open it. Everything was working, the water was a bit murky and he seemed to think it would have turned in another week or so. We put in a lot of chlorine and I brushed and vacuumed and brushed some more. The water cleared nicely but it was still just a little cloudy. I broke out the handy dandy test kit and FC was 12 and I didn't notice any CC. From other threads I had read through, it sounded like I need to SLAM. Before I get into it, here are the original numbers:
FC-12
CC-0
TC-12
CH-100
TA-40
CYA-40
PH-6.8
I brought the ph up to 7.2 with some Borax I had and the FC to 16. This was mid afternoon.
at 8:00, the FC was 14 so I added chlorine and somehow overshot 16 and went right to 20. Not sure how I pulled that off.
Next morning at 7:45, the FC was 17 and the water had that sparkle I had gotten used to last year.
Cloudy day, 8:00 PM FC was 16
Following morning, FC was still 16.
New day:
Now, completely proud of myself, I set out to bump up the TA a little and raise the PH closer to 7.5.
I added 100 oz of baking soda and 16 oz of Soda Ash. A little while later, I added 50 more oz of baking soda.
Did a full set of water testing tonight:
FC-5.5
CC-0
TC-5.5
CH-100
TA-40
CYA-40
PH-7.5
Now, pool math says by the time I was done with everything, my TA should have gone up at least 30 instead of staying flat. What did I do wrong?
Also, I smell it, but my wife doesn't. There is definitely a slight odor to the pool water that kind of comes and goes. It was definitely stronger when the cover came off. I had thought it was the pool water having 3 times the amount of chlorine than usual but I can still smell it sometimes. I'd describe the smell as new plastic gassing off if that makes any sense. The few hits I got searching the forum recommend waiting it out. That still a good plan?
Thanks in advance for the assistance.
