Trouble with getting pool open

[Reese_D]

Having lots of trouble getting water cleared up for season.
Went to pool store and put in lots of chemicals which essentially didn't help.
Ordered TF 100 test kit and found very high CH, CYA and FC.
Drained about 1/3 of pool and replenished.
Water is blue with dead algae on bottom which we vacuumed. Cloudy water, can't see drain
Tried Ultrabrite last week twice which did not help.

Numbers have improved today.

PH 7.2
FC 18
CC 0
TA 80
CH 450
CYA 90

Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[AimeeH]

Wow. Great job on getting a good test kit and knowing to drain do to high CYA. Welcome to TFP

to clear the water you'll need to follow the SLAM process

Shock
Level
And
Maintain

So according to your test results your current chlorine is not adequate to be killing algae faster than its multiplying in your pool. With 90 CYA, you'd need to be at 35 FC. I would suggest draining some more to get that CYA lower if you can. It CAN be done with 90 CYA but that's a lot of bleach and a lot of test drops.

Pool School - SLAM - Shock Level And Maintain

 

[Texas Splash]

I agree. Unless you want to maintain such a high SLAM and daily target FC level, consider another partial water exchange. It will help in the long run. It's fantastic you have the TF-100 to understand and be in control.

 

[Reese_D]

Thanks-I think draining more water is the best way to go in the long run. Any ideas on how much more to drain?
Another 1/3?

 

[Isaac-1]

1/3 or a little over should put you in the right ballpark, just don't over do it, if you have been getting rain at all like we are on my side of the state and the ground is saturated you don't want to take a chance on the pool floating up out of the ground. Like this random picture from google

 

[Reese_D]

Drained out another approx 8000 gallons
Current numbers after replenishing water and a couple hours of running filter

PH 7.5
FC 6.0
CC 0.25
TC 6.25
TA 80
CH 400
CYA 55

Water is still cloudy and getting greenish
Add bleach?? How much??

 

[Reese_D]

Also, this may sound dumb, but I find the pool calculator confusing-the boxes-"goal" and "Not set up"
Which numbers go where?

Am I supposed to come up with my own goal numbers?
Can someone explain how to use it properly?

 

[Razorhog]

I find the Pool Calc iPhone app easier to use.

 

[Texas Splash]

On the calculator, make sure to enter you pool gallons at the top. From there, each row you enter your NOW number as currently tested, then your desired number in the TARGET field. On the FC row, make sure to manually enter the bleach percentage (weight). Near the bottom, update the 3 criteria (Troublefreepool.com, your pool type, and how you sanitize (bleach, SWG, etc). The calculator will help you with the rest.

 

[Reese_D]

Thanks-I guess part of my confusion is coming from the pool calculator I am getting under "pool math" (above) doesn't say "now" and "target".
It says "goal" and "not set up."

 

[pooldv]

On this? http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html

Top left next to the calculate button is Now and Target

Here is a tutorial on how to get it all set up.
Pool School - PoolMath

 

[Reese_D]

Thanks so much! I think I understand that now!