Long time lurker, first time poster. Please excuse the length of this post... I hope I get things right. I understand folks like photos -- so here you go.
Quick intro. House purchased September last year; got to enjoy a few months of pool after getting water clean & clear. I have no idea what I did, so now I keep a log. Had scheduled opening for mid-may, however due to MIA pool guy I ended up doing it myself. (And saved $400.) This will be my first SLAM & TFPC experience.
I've read Pool School up/down/sideways/front-to-back so I hope I'm on the right track.
Water was green/murky upon opening - lots of dust/dirt and algae I assume. Deep end was black.
Didn't have my test kit yet so I shocked the heck out of it (12.5%) just to keep things from going to swamp before my kit arrived. Initial cartridges were ones that came with the house that had seen better days. The green began to clear. I brushed & vacuumed to waste a few times a day. Lots of rain here, so no need to add water. Cleaned filters, repeat. Kept adding chlorine. Lots of brushing. LOTS.
Here's a progression:
So - there's where I am. I'll do the OCLT tonight; I have a feeling we might pass.
My question is this: the water is very cloudy; it looks kinda clear in the shallow end, but can't see the main drain in the deep end. How can I clear it up fast? The pool is painted (not by me) and it's chalking -- lots of brushing took place.)
We also have our first pool party of the year scheduled for next weekend so I'm in a pinch. I'd like to be able to swim and see my toes.
Looking for critique on my methods so far; and any suggestions -- obviously next year I will SLAM as soon as the cover is off.
Also have questions on raising CYA after passing OCLT, but that can wait.
Quick intro. House purchased September last year; got to enjoy a few months of pool after getting water clean & clear. I have no idea what I did, so now I keep a log. Had scheduled opening for mid-may, however due to MIA pool guy I ended up doing it myself. (And saved $400.) This will be my first SLAM & TFPC experience.
I've read Pool School up/down/sideways/front-to-back so I hope I'm on the right track.
Water was green/murky upon opening - lots of dust/dirt and algae I assume. Deep end was black.
Didn't have my test kit yet so I shocked the heck out of it (12.5%) just to keep things from going to swamp before my kit arrived. Initial cartridges were ones that came with the house that had seen better days. The green began to clear. I brushed & vacuumed to waste a few times a day. Lots of rain here, so no need to add water. Cleaned filters, repeat. Kept adding chlorine. Lots of brushing. LOTS.
Here's a progression:
May 22 - Opened, 4 gal 12.5% shock.
May 22-26 Cleaned and cleaned and cleaned and kept adding a gallon a day of 12.5%
May 26 morning - Test kit arrived (TF-100 + Taylor salt + SpeedStir) and I began testing and writing in the log. New Pleatco filters installed
TC 0
pH 6.8
TA 70
CH 200
CYA 0 (I verified this -- when I closed last year I didn't even know what CYA was, but I got a copy of a pool store test that had CYA 3 from September)
Salt 2000
May 26 afternoon -I had some calcium chloride left from last year; added 15lb; more shock.
May 27 morning - had chlorine left in the morning for the first time
TC 2 (FC 1.5 CC .5)
pH 7.2
TA 60
CH 200
CYA 0
May 27 afternoon - used PoolMath to figure CYA; added 8 lb in socks.
May 27 7pm - SLAM beginning. 4 gal 12.5%
TC 18.5 (FC 18 CC .5) - wow - my pool must be smaller that I was told?
CYA 30
May 27 8pm
TC 21.5 (whoa! not adding anymore chlorine)
May 27 10pm
TC 21.5 (not moving)
May 28 5am (husband testing water - need to make sure we both do it the same)
TC 20 (FC 19.5 CC .5)
May 28 6am (husband)
TC 20 (FC 19.5 CC .5)
May 28 8am (me)
TC 21.75 (FC 21.5 CC .25)
May 22-26 Cleaned and cleaned and cleaned and kept adding a gallon a day of 12.5%
May 26 morning - Test kit arrived (TF-100 + Taylor salt + SpeedStir) and I began testing and writing in the log. New Pleatco filters installed
TC 0
pH 6.8
TA 70
CH 200
CYA 0 (I verified this -- when I closed last year I didn't even know what CYA was, but I got a copy of a pool store test that had CYA 3 from September)
Salt 2000
May 26 afternoon -I had some calcium chloride left from last year; added 15lb; more shock.
May 27 morning - had chlorine left in the morning for the first time
TC 2 (FC 1.5 CC .5)
pH 7.2
TA 60
CH 200
CYA 0
May 27 afternoon - used PoolMath to figure CYA; added 8 lb in socks.
May 27 7pm - SLAM beginning. 4 gal 12.5%
TC 18.5 (FC 18 CC .5) - wow - my pool must be smaller that I was told?
CYA 30
May 27 8pm
TC 21.5 (whoa! not adding anymore chlorine)
May 27 10pm
TC 21.5 (not moving)
May 28 5am (husband testing water - need to make sure we both do it the same)
TC 20 (FC 19.5 CC .5)
May 28 6am (husband)
TC 20 (FC 19.5 CC .5)
May 28 8am (me)
TC 21.75 (FC 21.5 CC .25)
So - there's where I am. I'll do the OCLT tonight; I have a feeling we might pass.
My question is this: the water is very cloudy; it looks kinda clear in the shallow end, but can't see the main drain in the deep end. How can I clear it up fast? The pool is painted (not by me) and it's chalking -- lots of brushing took place.)
We also have our first pool party of the year scheduled for next weekend so I'm in a pinch. I'd like to be able to swim and see my toes.
Looking for critique on my methods so far; and any suggestions -- obviously next year I will SLAM as soon as the cover is off.
Also have questions on raising CYA after passing OCLT, but that can wait.
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