New pool owner, can’t get the pool clear!

[Goodfight10]

Just received my test kit, and the results are in.

FC: 1.5ppm
CC: 2 ppm
PH: 7.0
TA: 100ppm
Calcium hardness: 140ppm
CYA: over 30ppm

All of the help hasn’t been appreciated!

 

[Goodfight10]

Just received my test kit, and the results are in.

FC: 1.5ppm
CC: 2 ppm
PH: 7.0
TA: 100ppm
Calcium hardness: 140ppm
CYA: over 30ppm

CYA test, had to fill it to 30ppm and I could still see the black dot in the tube.
All of the help has been appreciated!

 

[Goodfight10]

Something tells me I did the CYA test wrong. I followed the directions and filled half the tube with water and half with the tester. Then I kept adding the other tester until the black dot was barely visible. The problem is, I got to the top
Of the tube “30ppm” and I could see the black dot without any issues.

 

[Mr Bruce]

It's possible your CYA is 0 (or too low to even register). Here are the extended CYA test instructions. CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test - Trouble Free Pool

 

[Goodfight10]

It's possible your CYA is 0 (or too low to even register). Here are the extended CYA test instructions. CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test - Trouble Free Pool

Thank you, will re check in a few.

Any suggestions based off of my other results? My pool is still blue, getting clearer by the day but still not super clear in the deep end.

I plan on cleaning the filter out tomorrow or Saturday.

 

[DorsalSpine]

Your FC level is too low. How often are you adding bleach? How often do you test the water?

 

[Goodfight10]

Your FC level is too low. How often are you adding bleach? How often do you test the water?

I’ve added 1-2 gallons every day day since Sunday. Except today, I ran out. Will get more tomorrow.

Today was first real test. As the kit was just delivered. Did the CYA test again and same results. I can see the black dot as I fill up imthe cylinder.

 

[Goodfight10]

Any one else have suggestions?

 

[mknauss]

Any one else have suggestions?

Get a proper CYA test completed.

 

[Goodfight10]

Get a proper CYA test completed.

I followed the directions in the kit and I followed the link the poster above posted. I believe it might be possible that I have 0 CYA.

 

[steve1staf]

Any one else have suggestions?

You need to SLAM properly. It’s a process that takes patience and time. You now have the proper test kit so you are ready to go! When I first start my SLAM I check the FC level every hour. If it’s below SLAM level, I add chlorine. If you stay on top of it, you will get ahead of it.

Read the SLAM article again:

SLAM

Also, if your CYA test is reading 0 it’s time to add some cya and get yourself up to 30. Just follow the instructions and things will fall into place

 

[splashpad]

Any one else have suggestions?

I'm assuming it's too late tonight, but work on getting your FC to hold at 5 (use PoolMath for doses), test every 15-30min and boost/raise FC.
Once it does, use PoolMath to add enough CYA to target CYA/25 (this will test as 30)
Then we can guide you from there

 

[Goodfight10]

You need to SLAM properly. It’s a process that takes patience and time. You now have the proper test kit so you are ready to go! When I first start my SLAM I check the FC level every hour. If it’s below SLAM level, I add chlorine. If you stay on top of it, you will get ahead of it.

Read the SLAM article again:

SLAM

Also, if your CYA test is reading 0 it’s time to add some cya and get yourself up to 30. Just follow the instructions and things will fall into place

Thank you! I plan on solving all of my issues (including my Polaris issue) tomorrow.

 

[Goodfight10]

I'm assuming it's too late tonight, but work on getting your FC to hold at 5 (use PoolMath for doses), test every 15-30min and boost/raise FC.
Once it does, use PoolMath to add enough CYA to target CYA/25 (this will test as 30)
Then we can guide you from there

Tonight I went to BJ’s and bought 3 gallons of bleach for 10 bucks. Going to clean out my D.E. filter tomorrow and then shock the heck out of the pool once and for all, thanks for the advice.

 

[splashpad]

Tonight I went to BJ’s and bought 3 gallons of bleach for 10 bucks. Going to clean out my D.E. filter tomorrow and then shock the **** out of the pool once and for all, thanks for the advice.

Once FC holds at 5, then you'll be able to move on to SLAM Process
And then, once your pool is clean and clear follow FC/CYA Levels & ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry ?

 

[Goodfight10]

Alright, so today was a very productive day. I fixed my low flow filter issue (see pictures). I also fixed my Polaris and changed out my booster pump.

After 3 gallons of bleach the test says my FC is .5ppm?

Question, for the FC/CC test, in the beginning it says " 1 drop=.02ppm and 2 drop=.5ppm" and gives me a choice of the amount of water to do the test with.

What does that mean? I've just been using the .5 to multiply by how many drops I use until the "pink" goes away.

 

[splashpad]

After 3 gallons of bleach the test says my FC is .5ppm?

Keep adding bleach until you get a FC result of 5

Question, for the FC/CC test, in the beginning it says " 1 drop=.02ppm and 2 drop=.5ppm" and gives me a choice of the amount of water to do the test with.

What does that mean? I've just been using the .5 to multiply by how many drops I use until the "pink" goes away.

Your result is the drops multipled by .5 (10ml sample) or .2 (25ml sample)

 

[DorsalSpine]

The 10ml sample is fine. The higher degree of accuracy is a waste of reagents most of the time. For a SLAM with very high FC levels I usually use a 5ml sample to save reagents. When I get close to passing the OCLT then I switch back to the 10ml sample.

At 5ml sample size, I drop is 1 point of FC.

 

[borjis]

The FC test I do is with a 10ml water sample.
For this sample size, 1 drop = .5

So if it goes clear in 8 drops FC = 4 ppm


If that bleach of yours was not flat (gone bad) and got consumed that fast you might
have ammonia. An aquarium test kit from a pet store can confirm if this is true.

But it's more likely the zero cya. any sunlight exposure will eat it fast too.

 

[splashpad]

Keep adding bleach until you get a FC result of 5

1. Add enough bleach per PoolMath to reach Goal/5
2. Wait 15min, test
3. Repeat 1 & 2 until test shows FC/5
   • you can also use the OTO (yellow chlorine test) to see if chlorine is even present to save the FAS-DPD reagents