- May 3, 2014
- 58,968
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Chemical Disaster -
- Thread starter LimaBeans
- Start date
I cannot begin to thank all of you for your help over the last 2 days! I feel so much better & equipped to get our pool to a healthy state. Most of all I feel like I am building the knowledge to continue ongoing maintenance.
A few of my biggest lesson:
1. DO NOT use the pool store for pool readings
2. Get a good test kit & learn to use it
3. Do not use the inline chlorinator.
4. Beginning of understand what chemicals do what and why.
5. That I can maintain the pool chemistry with item from a grocery store. (Who knew?!???)
6. Liquid chlorine is the best choice!!!
7. SO much more!!!
So again, THANK YOU!
Immediate next steps:
-Add 5lbs of baking soda to get the TA up
-Add a gallon of FC each afternoon
-Get the chlorine up to a 7 and maintain
-Allow the pH to raise on it own
-Get CYA to a 30 (assume the big kid test on order will allow me to test for CYA)
-Dispose if the pucks in the chlorinator
-Keep the water flowing
-Continue to clean the filters
-Wait to replace the filter until we are better
-Vacuum the precipitation from the bottom of the pool.
-Post updated test results when to I get the new test kit
-Track and use the Pool Math App.
Whew!!! That is a lot and I am sure I am going to need you along the way but truly appreciate ALL of you!
A few of my biggest lesson:
1. DO NOT use the pool store for pool readings
2. Get a good test kit & learn to use it
3. Do not use the inline chlorinator.
4. Beginning of understand what chemicals do what and why.
5. That I can maintain the pool chemistry with item from a grocery store. (Who knew?!???)
6. Liquid chlorine is the best choice!!!
7. SO much more!!!
So again, THANK YOU!
Immediate next steps:
-Add 5lbs of baking soda to get the TA up
-Add a gallon of FC each afternoon
-Get the chlorine up to a 7 and maintain
-Allow the pH to raise on it own
-Get CYA to a 30 (assume the big kid test on order will allow me to test for CYA)
-Dispose if the pucks in the chlorinator
-Keep the water flowing
-Continue to clean the filters
-Wait to replace the filter until we are better
-Vacuum the precipitation from the bottom of the pool.
-Post updated test results when to I get the new test kit
-Track and use the Pool Math App.
Whew!!! That is a lot and I am sure I am going to need you along the way but truly appreciate ALL of you!
- May 3, 2014
- 58,968
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Great. You can use it to clear the solids out of the pool now that your pH and TA are in normal ranges.
Keep cleaning its filters often. You may or may not have to replace the filters after being in this water.
If you do have to replace the filters, and you decide to become a Support TFP!, you will be able to get a discount on the filters from Marina Pool Spa.
LOVE the new pic!
You are on the right track with a solid plan for going forward!
Kim
You are on the right track with a solid plan for going forward!
Kim
Do I need to mix the 5lbs of baking soda with pool water before putting it in?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,968
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
No. Just spread the baking soda over the surface of the pool. It should readily dissolve.
Usually, no, but you don't want it to mix with the calcium carbonate precipitate.
So, I would mix it first until the precipitation is completely gone.
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
This thread is the bomb! I love it when everyone jumps in and pulls a pool back from the brink of crazy-town. These are the sort of threads we all learn the most about pool chem extremes. Thanks "guides" And Kudos to Ms 'Beans for following all the instructions to a "T". You probably don't realize how many other people in the same boat you have helped.
Shirker
0
- Jul 2, 2014
- 749
- Pool Size
- 19000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You can use inline chlorinator as long as you follow #4. If you understand how they affect your chemistry and stay on top of testing, pucks can be helpful.
- May 20, 2020
- 1,001
- Pool Size
- 13600
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Solaxx (Saltron) Reliant / Purechlor R5
Shhh, that’s TFP 201. No pucks until she passes 101.
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
Wait... I thought TFP 201 was ditch the chlorinator and get an SWG!Shhh, that’s TFP 201. No pucks until she passes 101.
Keep your old filter and new filter. I kept my old ones and I rotate them. I use the old one during the offseason, there is not as much pool use and it keeps up fine. Then in the summer season I use the newer ones.. they filter better and I'm hoping will last a little longer
I agree! It is the bomb! 3 days ago my husband said next step was to drain it and fill it with sand.
You all saved a pool and marriage!
I think I have a ways to go....I am still on overload with all the info so far.
- Nov 7, 2018
- 1,049
- Pool Size
- 14000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Glad to hear it! There are countless stories like yours on here....people that have been going to the "Church of the Pool Store" way too long and have been reading the wrong scripture.I agree! It is the bomb! 3 days ago my husband said next step was to drain it and fill it with sand.
You all saved a pool and marriage!
Pool maintenance is really simple and if you keep up with it (which doesn't take too much time, really) then these extreme issues just don't happen.
Phew !!! You dodged a bullet there. The pool store says that even though it’s a bazillion years old, sand goes bad. Woulda been costly to keep replacing that much of it.
Shirker
0
- Jul 2, 2014
- 749
- Pool Size
- 19000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
It will not take long. Feel free to post here. This is a wonderful community who loves giving advise. And not just on pools!
The bucket of pucks are going into storage until I master 101.Shhh, that’s TFP 201. No pucks until she passes 101.
As for SWG.....ummmm
No big changes yet, please.
Lets get her used to testing first!
Here are some testing pointers for ya:
-TA-When you are adding the drops the color will "flash" then go back to first color. Keep adding drops until the color changes and STAYS changed.
-All colors are "ish" colors as in redish, blueish, etc. What you really look for is a change in the color that sticks.
-CYA-oh how I hate this test!! SO here is what I came up with. When you go to see the googly eye just GLANCE in then look away! Do NOT look for the dot. Just GLANCE in. If you see the googly eye then pour to the next line. Do this line by line until you don't see the googly eye at a GLANCE.
I will tell you the first couple of times you do the tests it will take you a bit as you are just now learning them. Once you have done them a couple/few time (betting only a couple with how fast you learn!) you will being flying through them.
Kim
Here are some testing pointers for ya:
-TA-When you are adding the drops the color will "flash" then go back to first color. Keep adding drops until the color changes and STAYS changed.
-All colors are "ish" colors as in redish, blueish, etc. What you really look for is a change in the color that sticks.
-CYA-oh how I hate this test!! SO here is what I came up with. When you go to see the googly eye just GLANCE in then look away! Do NOT look for the dot. Just GLANCE in. If you see the googly eye then pour to the next line. Do this line by line until you don't see the googly eye at a GLANCE.
I will tell you the first couple of times you do the tests it will take you a bit as you are just now learning them. Once you have done them a couple/few time (betting only a couple with how fast you learn!) you will being flying through them.
Kim
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
YES Ma'am!...
... but you know us, we are just an excitable bunch!Similar threads
