Cloudy again..

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Newdude said:
*also worth noting that we *thought* the CYA was 50 but it turns out to be 20 or less. Not knowing the actual level opened the door for quick FC burn off from the sun leaving little/no FC. We've been chasing our tails ever since.

Know your levels/#s future reading folks, especially once there is any suspected problem. You may be out of a test because it's always something, but get a replacement PRONTO as it as it may change the entire plan of attack.

3kaap I suspect you will never go without CYA mix again. So in the end this was a good thing without too much struggle to teach the lesson. :)
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I feel like I’m constantly running out of something, but I’m going to do my best to stay on top of it. Next year, I’m buying the biggest bottles I can find 😂
 
3kidsAndAPool said:
Next year, I’m buying the biggest bottles I can find 😂
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It’s a funny joke so it stands. And bravo for the joke. But by next year you will achieve that pool zen where you are just one with it. You’ll glance out the window and just have a sense that it’s doing great and your testing frequency will drop dramatically from now. Upon seeing the sparkle diminish you will just feel any problems long before they are difficult because it’s all second nature. More often than not you’ll even know what the test is gonna say before you run it. You’ll adjust the PH (or whatevs), tell the pool it’s a good girl and go back about your way.

You didn’t get to know kids overnight either but you sure can spot a sniffle from a mile away now. :)
 
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I have also found that a CYA addition via the sock method is much more quickly apparent if the sock is suspended in front of a return, rather than put into a skimmer. I simply tie the sock on a short piece of rope, tie the whole thing to the end of my pool pole (note: weight the back end of the pole so it doesn't take a swim unattended!), place it into the return stream, and let it soak for about an hour. After an hour or so, I can usually begin to squeeze big clouds of dissolved CYA from the sock into the stream. Do this until the sock is empty. It actually goes pretty quickly. My CYA can usually be accurately measured within 24-30 hours.

Congratulations on being able to do what so many of us struggled with at first... 1. Seek the help of experts (not me, YET :LOL:.) 2. Listen to what they have to say. 3. Follow their advice, which always includes "Stay out of the pool store!" 4. Go swimming and enjoy that pool!

Well done ma'am, well done! (y):)
 
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ghall6292 said:
I have also found that a CYA addition via the sock method is much more quickly apparent if the sock is suspended in front of a return, rather than put into a skimmer. I simply tie the sock on a short piece of rope, tie the whole thing to the end of my pool pole (note: weight the back end of the pole so it doesn't take a swim unattended!), place it into the return stream, and let it soak for about an hour. After an hour or so, I can usually begin to squeeze big clouds of dissolved CYA from the sock into the stream. Do this until the sock is empty. It actually goes pretty quickly. My CYA can usually be accurately measured within 24-30 hours.

Congratulations on being able to do what so many of us struggled with at first... 1. Seek the help of experts (not me, YET :LOL:.) 2. Listen to what they have to say. 3. Follow their advice, which always includes "Stay out of the pool store!" 4. Go swimming and enjoy that pool!

Well done ma'am, well done! (y):)
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I will definitely give that a try when I am able to add more! I guess I didn’t think there would be any difference on where I put it, as long as it was contained in a sock. The very first time I added cya, the pool store told me to pour it slowly in the skimmer. I can see how that would clump up and stay in the sand filter, but I guess I just assumed in the sock it would all dissolve and no pellets would escape.
 
3kidsAndAPool said:
I can see how that would clump up and stay in the sand filter, but I guess I just assumed in the sock it would all dissolve and no pellets would escape.
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It doesn't technically "stay" in the filter. It may be trapped in the filter until it is able to dissolve. That is why I said in my post earlier that it has taken up to 1.5 weeks for my pool to get to Max CYA after an addition (I used sock in SKIMMER). I was surprised that it took that long to rise (I am using Zeolite, so maybe I shouldn't be surprise.

I guess my point is, you, like me, are learning. I learned that I like the sock in the skimmer vs. in front of the return. I trust Pool Math will recommend the right amount. I learned that in MY filter, with MY media, it will take a 1-1.5 weeks for the CYA to register MAX. Be patient with your pool and additions. Test every couple days, and you will learn how YOUR POOL behaves.
 
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Newdude said:
It’s a funny joke so it stands. And bravo for the joke. But by next year you will achieve that pool zen where you are just one with it. You’ll glance out the window and just have a sense that it’s doing great and your testing frequency will drop dramatically from now. Upon seeing the sparkle diminish you will just feel any problems long before they are difficult because it’s all second nature. More often than not you’ll even know what the test is gonna say before you run it. You’ll adjust the PH (or whatevs), tell the pool it’s a good girl and go back about your way.

You didn’t get to know kids overnight either but you sure can spot a sniffle from a mile away now. :)
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I sure hope I’ve got all of this down by next year. I’m trying to be patient and learn all that I can!
 
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PoolStored said:
It doesn't technically "stay" in the filter. It may be trapped in the filter until it is able to dissolve. That is why I said in my post earlier that it has taken up to 1.5 weeks for my pool to get to Max CYA after an addition (I used sock in SKIMMER). I was surprised that it took that long to rise (I am using Zeolite, so maybe I shouldn't be surprise.

I guess my point is, you, like me, are learning. I learned that I like the sock in the skimmer vs. in front of the return. I trust Pool Math will recommend the right amount. I learned that in MY filter, with MY media, it will take a 1-1.5 weeks for the CYA to register MAX. Be patient with your pool and additions. Test every couple days, and you will learn how YOUR POOL behaves.
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Yes, I am learning and you guys have been a great help! I’m thankful for this community.
PoolStored said:
It doesn't technically "stay" in the filter. It may be trapped in the filter until it is able to dissolve. That is why I said in my post earlier that it has taken up to 1.5 weeks for my pool to get to Max CYA after an addition (I used sock in SKIMMER). I was surprised that it took that long to rise (I am using Zeolite, so maybe I shouldn't be surprise.

I guess my point is, you, like me, are learning. I learned that I like the sock in the skimmer vs. in front of the return. I trust Pool Math will recommend the right amount. I learned that in MY filter, with MY media, it will take a 1-1.5 weeks for the CYA to register MAX. Be patient with your pool and additions. Test every couple days, and you will learn how YOUR POOL behaves.
Click to expand...
PoolStored said:
It doesn't technically "stay" in the filter. It may be trapped in the filter until it is able to dissolve. That is why I said in my post earlier that it has taken up to 1.5 weeks for my pool to get to Max CYA after an addition (I used sock in SKIMMER). I was surprised that it took that long to rise (I am using Zeolite, so maybe I shouldn't be surprise.

I guess my point is, you, like me, are learning. I learned that I like the sock in the skimmer vs. in front of the return. I trust Pool Math will recommend the right amount. I learned that in MY filter, with MY media, it will take a 1-1.5 weeks for the CYA to register MAX. Be patient with your pool and additions. Test every couple days, and you will learn how YOUR POOL behaves.
Click to expand...
Yes, I’m definitely still learning! I’m thankful for this community and all of the knowledge that everyone has provided. With this being our first pool, it can get very overwhelming!
 
Happy Saturday everyone! So, it’s been a week since I added 3 lbs of stabilizer. I just retested and while the water is cloudier, I can still see the dot all the way to the top 30 mark. Should I assume the pool store was wrong and it was actually lower than 20? Should I go ahead and add more now or give it a few more days?
Also, I’ve been trying to do the bucket test for the last couple of days. I think my bucket isn’t submerged enough, the water in the bucket isn’t high enough, I’ve also tried using a big glass measuring cup and it rained one day 😣🤣 Right now I’m going to call the results “inconclusive” but I think I may have a slow leak. The pool water seems to be about 1/4 inch lower than the bucket/glass each day. However, I’m going back to Lowe’s to get a smaller bucket to put on the top step and test a few more days before saying for sure. Any other advice on this testing? Thanks!
 
3kidsAndAPool said:
Should I assume the pool store was wrong and it was actually lower than 20?
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I will give them a free pass here for once. 20 or below is darn near impossible to get a good read on. So it might be 15 and it might be 5, even with our trusty kit. But you don’t want to overshoot so you add from 20 just to be cautious. Then you give it a week to ensure its all mixed, which you did. (y) I’d go for another 10 now.

Keep an eye on the FC in the meantime like you’ve done because it will go quicker with less CYA to buffer it.
3kidsAndAPool said:
Also, I’ve been trying to do the bucket test for the last couple of days. I think my bucket isn’t submerged enough, the water in the bucket isn’t high enough
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If the traditional way isn’t working well just fill the bucket to the brim and set it on the patio nearby. Then you have a mini pool right next to the big pool. :)
 

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Newdude said:
I will give them a free pass here for once. 20 or below is darn near impossible to get a good read on. So it might be 15 and it might be 5, even with our trusty kit. But you don’t want to overshoot so you add from 20 just to be cautious. Then you give it a week to ensure its all mixed, which you did. (y) I’d go for another 10 now.

Keep an eye on the FC in the meantime like you’ve done because it will go quicker with less CYA to buffer it.

If the traditional way isn’t working well just fill the bucket to the brim and set it on the patio nearby. Then you have a mini pool right next to the big pool. :)
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I may put a bucket on the patio as well, just to double check my results! I’m so OCD that I don’t trust my markings on the buckets 🤦🏻‍♀️ I don’t see water anywhere on the ground or near the equipment which would lead me to believe it would be in the liner. BUT, our liner was replaced last year due to a leak at the seam on the FIRST liner. I’m really just hoping I’m wrong snd there isn’t a leak. I just have this feeling though…
Is it ok to add the cya today while everyone is swimming or should I wait until tonight when everyone gets out?
 
3kidsAndAPool said:
Is it ok to add the cya today while everyone is swimming
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Yup. Either the sock method in front of a return or the sock in the skimmer won’t bother the swimmers. Kids being kids tho….. take the hanging sock out cuz it won’t be hanging for long if you leave it there. :ROFLMAO:
 
Actually, Kids being kids again ….. take the hanging sock out and put it in a bucket while you swim either way. If they squeezed some out and swam though the slight cloud with their eyes open it probably wouldn’t matter but it’s probably not great to do just because.
 
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DD9E3C81-BB89-4F61-84C9-C902A3057D41.jpeg
This is my setup. You can see on the inside of the bucket where the water level was marked, and also on the outside. I don’t believe the water level was too low in the bucket? Am I doing this all wrong?
 
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