New pool owner - I have lots to learn - cloudy pool water

[tko]

I got my kit with the speed stir and ran the tests. I've been putting a half gallon of bleach in the pool per day (didn't get to it today though).

FC: 6 (12 drops)
CC: .5 (1 drop)
TC: 6.5
CH: 375 (15 drops) - not confident on this one - the drops came out weirdly - some smaller than others, I couldn't get them uniform
TA: 130 (13 drops) - not sure about this; it flashed red at 10 drops, then turned clear, and same for 11-12; at drop 13, it stayed red so that's what I recorded
CYA: 30 (level was between 30 and 20 but closer to 30)
PH: ~7.5

Could the pool place have been off by that much or is the water changing due to the half gallon of bleach a day?

So I'm trying to figure out where to go from here.

 

[tko]

I just re-did the CH test again and it took 20 drops of 0012 this time...so 500? Again, the liquid seems very runny and I can't control the drops like I can with the other bottles. Pool store had said my CH was 179.

 

[kimkats]

What you are seeing is why we do not trust the P$ test. They are way off in most cases.

Try wiping the tip of the CH regent bottle and see what happens. Some times that fixes the problem.

Kim:cat:

 

[Bama Rambler]

Wipe it with a damp cloth. We've seen inconsistent drop sizes due to static and wiping the tip with a damp cloth every few drops fixes the problem.

 

[Mr Bruce]

Those numbers look great for a SLAM. Pool School - SLAM - Shock Level And Maintain Read that article until it makes sense, if you have any questions ask us! Your pool is not that far gone so if you are aggressive you may not have a very long SLAM at all

 

[tko]

Will do. Could you tell me what indicated I need to SLAM? My FC is not 0 and my CC not above .5 (the two indicators mentioned in the article). I just want to understand so I can tell for myself in the future.

Th water is now clearish with some sediment that we have to vacuum up. It still has a light greenish blue tint.

 

[pooldv]

The number one sign of a need to SLAM is green, cloudy water. This indicates presence of algae. You can Perform the Overnight FC Loss Test (OCLT) to verify that there is a need to SLAM. Also chlorine at 0 is too late, chlorine should be kept above minimum for your CYA at all times, Chlorine CYA Chart

 

[tko]

Ok. My pool is no longer cloudy and water is pretty clear. Is it harmful to SLAM if not needed? I don't think I've been losing chlorine but I'll check again tonight.

 

[Texas Splash]

SLAM harmful? .... no. But once yo confirm by passing an OCLT you will be assured you are in the clear. Good luck!

 

[tko]

I'll never doubt the experts again! My FC was lowish tonighr so I SLAM'd with 2 gallons of 10% pool chlorine per pool math calc targeting 10 FC. Maybe I should've us d a little less cuz I measured an hour later and it was 12. Will check in the morning.

I wiped bottle for CH test and it tuned blue at 9 drops.

thank you!

 

[kimkats]

You are saying your water is "clearish" We do not want clearish. We want clear as in you can see the screw heads on the main drain. That is when you can stop. If you stop before it is clear you will have to start it back up when you see your levels dropping.

This is the longest part as you are tired of adding, brushing, testing, messing LOL but you have come so far so....lets keep going and turn that pool into a jewel :sun:

Kim:cat: