Hi all, I got fed up with watching my pool water get harder and harder to see through, plus I've added so many things to it that I decided to drain and refill. Quick synopsis of what I'm facing (and trying to avoid):
1 - on well water with LOTS of iron (adding CL turned water "sewage brown" last time around, needed AA)
2 - water goes through oxygen injector, then iron filter, then water softener then goes to pool so takes 3-4 days or so to fill the pool
3 - I'll get a test kit for next year but only a few weeks left in the swimming season here to I'm getting by on test strips for now, but before adding anything the water has approx PH 7.8 and TA >240. I'm assuming this is because of the oxygen injection and will go higher still before the pool is finished filling.
Here's my tentative plan of attack once the pool is full, any and all suggestions are most welcome:
1 - add metal sequestrant per bottle instructions - Aquacheck (?) stain preventer
2 - slowly and carefully add bleach until I test about 3ppm FC, watching to make sure the water doesn't turn brown on me.
3 - put CYA in a nylon stocking and hang near water return. Pool calculator says to add 847g to get to CYA 40, so I was thinking I'd do 400g or so and test in a week, then add more as required?
4 - once the CYA is to 40, slowly bring FC to 7ppm.
5 - Add PH down as required to reduce ph and TA.
6 - be sure to add weekly maint doses of sequestrant.
Some questions. Should I start on the above right away? The pool is nearly half full and will probably take another day or two to finish filling; I'm worried about algae starting in before then. Also, do I need to leave any significant gaps of time between the first 3 steps? Finally, is that obscenely high TA a serious enough issue to warrant adding the ph down before I'm satisfied my FC and CYA levels are good?
Does anyone see any gotcha's that I should watch out for? Have I got the steps in the right order?
My kids had a total blast for the brief time the pool was usable on my first try - with only a few weeks left for swimming, I really want to get this right for them. They were devastated when they came outside and saw me draining it
Two other quick facts: First, the pool is in full sun nearly all day long. Second, we're on an operating ranch in the middle of nowhere with over 20 horses, previous owners had cattle so lots of manure (not near pool though) which means lots of flies, etc. The stock tanks (water for horses) gets algae pretty darn quick if not changed regularly, as well as occasional wiggly swimming things, greyish scum on the bottom/sides, etc. Which is why I'm aiming for a high FC
Man I do seem to have an affinity for rambling posts - I really meant to make this brief and concise! Thanks in advance for any input
1 - on well water with LOTS of iron (adding CL turned water "sewage brown" last time around, needed AA)
2 - water goes through oxygen injector, then iron filter, then water softener then goes to pool so takes 3-4 days or so to fill the pool
3 - I'll get a test kit for next year but only a few weeks left in the swimming season here to I'm getting by on test strips for now, but before adding anything the water has approx PH 7.8 and TA >240. I'm assuming this is because of the oxygen injection and will go higher still before the pool is finished filling.
Here's my tentative plan of attack once the pool is full, any and all suggestions are most welcome:
1 - add metal sequestrant per bottle instructions - Aquacheck (?) stain preventer
2 - slowly and carefully add bleach until I test about 3ppm FC, watching to make sure the water doesn't turn brown on me.
3 - put CYA in a nylon stocking and hang near water return. Pool calculator says to add 847g to get to CYA 40, so I was thinking I'd do 400g or so and test in a week, then add more as required?
4 - once the CYA is to 40, slowly bring FC to 7ppm.
5 - Add PH down as required to reduce ph and TA.
6 - be sure to add weekly maint doses of sequestrant.
Some questions. Should I start on the above right away? The pool is nearly half full and will probably take another day or two to finish filling; I'm worried about algae starting in before then. Also, do I need to leave any significant gaps of time between the first 3 steps? Finally, is that obscenely high TA a serious enough issue to warrant adding the ph down before I'm satisfied my FC and CYA levels are good?
Does anyone see any gotcha's that I should watch out for? Have I got the steps in the right order?
My kids had a total blast for the brief time the pool was usable on my first try - with only a few weeks left for swimming, I really want to get this right for them. They were devastated when they came outside and saw me draining it
Two other quick facts: First, the pool is in full sun nearly all day long. Second, we're on an operating ranch in the middle of nowhere with over 20 horses, previous owners had cattle so lots of manure (not near pool though) which means lots of flies, etc. The stock tanks (water for horses) gets algae pretty darn quick if not changed regularly, as well as occasional wiggly swimming things, greyish scum on the bottom/sides, etc. Which is why I'm aiming for a high FC
Man I do seem to have an affinity for rambling posts - I really meant to make this brief and concise! Thanks in advance for any input
8) 
