Looking to get my chemicals correct to close the pool. The local company wants me to buy ~$500 in chemicals. I put (6) gallons of 7.5 % bleach in last night, and it's a bit clearer. I also added 3/4 gallon of maurtic acid. Any advice is welcome. The hard one is the alkalinity doesn't seem to be coming down, even though the pH dropped 0.2. See attached numbers.
I'm new to pools, and things have gotten out of wack.
- Thread starter ace555
- Start date
Hey Ace and Welcome !!!
Their free tests are designed to aid that goal, and reliability is of no importance. As such, we don't do a thing based on store testing.
You need your own Test Kits Compared and we can go from there.
Of course they do. They don't exist to help you. They exist to sell you stuff.
Their free tests are designed to aid that goal, and reliability is of no importance. As such, we don't do a thing based on store testing.
You need your own Test Kits Compared and we can go from there.
I have some tests I've run as well. I'll post an update later when I get a fresh one. The results have been similar.
Is the water clear now?
I personally would close without any additional chemicals and come spring open as soon as your pool water hits 60º, and at that time work with us to fix anything that needs.
As it is a salt pool that pool store was giving you BAD advice on using Dry Acid as that damages the salt cell.
In the meantime you can obtain a proper test kit, and delve in to our forums and teachings and learn how we do things.
Your pH is acceptable for a vinyl pool over winter. TA is always the last chem parameter we worry about as long as the pH is within acceptable levels. Its easy to fix.
Stay outta the pool stores. They lie.
Maddie
I personally would close without any additional chemicals and come spring open as soon as your pool water hits 60º, and at that time work with us to fix anything that needs.
As it is a salt pool that pool store was giving you BAD advice on using Dry Acid as that damages the salt cell.
In the meantime you can obtain a proper test kit, and delve in to our forums and teachings and learn how we do things.
Your pH is acceptable for a vinyl pool over winter. TA is always the last chem parameter we worry about as long as the pH is within acceptable levels. Its easy to fix.
Stay outta the pool stores. They lie.
Maddie
I understand the only way to lower TA is to use acid, which reduces the pH. I have little room to drop my pH before I'm out of the normal range. Would adding acid in a smaller amount daily reduce TA without decreasing pH?
You can add a quart of MA and that will lower the pH slightly and lower the TA a bit. All high alkalinity does is make pH rise faster. If we can believe your test results shown, you've probably been battling high pH all summer??
You don't want to be too aggressive at this at closing because a too low pH is hard on vinyl liners. Anything in the 7s for pH is good to go.
You don't want to be too aggressive at this at closing because a too low pH is hard on vinyl liners. Anything in the 7s for pH is good to go.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,081
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
ACE! Welcome to TFP!!!
OOOF, $500 in chemicals...that is getting "Pool Stored." Ask me how I know.
Your TA and pH is not your major/primary issue. That is not causing a cloudy pool, and TA can be reduced next year. Your issue is algae.
Get a proper test kit. Link-->Test Kits Compared
If you don't have a proper test kit, order one and add 5ppm of liquid chlorine per day until it arrives. Use pool math to figure out how much to add to add 5ppm PER DAY. Link-->PoolMath
Then follow the SLAM process to clear the pool before you close. Link-->SLAM Process
After you pass slam, here is the procedure to close your pool properly...
www.troublefreepool.com
OOOF, $500 in chemicals...that is getting "Pool Stored." Ask me how I know.
Your TA and pH is not your major/primary issue. That is not causing a cloudy pool, and TA can be reduced next year. Your issue is algae.
Get a proper test kit. Link-->Test Kits Compared
If you don't have a proper test kit, order one and add 5ppm of liquid chlorine per day until it arrives. Use pool math to figure out how much to add to add 5ppm PER DAY. Link-->PoolMath
Then follow the SLAM process to clear the pool before you close. Link-->SLAM Process
After you pass slam, here is the procedure to close your pool properly...
Closing an In Ground Pool
Winterizing a pool is essential for keeping your in-ground pool protected during cold-weather months. This Pool Repair guide will show you how to do it.
www.troublefreepool.com