Hi, I recently opened my pool two weeks ago after a 3 year break due to brain surgeries and not being able to do things myself. So far, my water is clear this year, and I ordered the Taylor 2006 FAS DPD kit. According to that, my FC is 0.5 ppm and stabilizer is undetectable (bad haven't added this year or three years ago I think). I put in 1.5 gallons of 12.5% liquid chlorine last night (35K gallon pool approx), and this morning it again tested at 0.5. Would my issue be the lack of stabilizer, hence causing dramatic chlorine loss? What steps could I take to balance my pool, I'm not sure in what order to add chemicals.
Opened pool for second time after 3 years.
- Thread starter poolboyK
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,024
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome back!
So to clarify, was the pool closed/covered for those 3 years and you are just now opening it for the first time? Water looks pretty good, but may need some work. Your reply will dictate the path forward.Yes, it was closed for last three years. It had a loop loc cover on it. It had tons of debris and we paid a company exactly 2 weeks ago to open it and we got it from a green color (shown in picture below) to clear using liquid chlorine and vacuuming. I'm going to be maintaing it. It's a DE filter with Hayward chlorinater (I know now to not use pucks or use sparingly if on vacation!). The water is crystal clear but my chemistry isn't, but I also haven't put much. I haven't added any stabilizer this year or from three years ago, but I did used to use stabilizer pucks. My current Taylor kit shows no stabilizer and FC of 0.5, and PH of 7.4
Attachments
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,024
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Great. It's possible you may need to do a SLAM Process, but before we go that far, I would suggest adding about 7-8 ppm of liquid chlorine. Then test it in about 10-15 min to see if it's trying to hold before the sun's UV tries to steal it. But don't wait any longer than 15 min. Let's try this way for now just to ensure some chlorine will hold before adding the stabilizer.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,024
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
If the chlorine looks like it is trying to hold, then go ahead and add 30 ppm of stabilizer. Use the sock method to pre soak it in a sock.
If the chlorine does not hold at all, let us know.
If the chlorine does not hold at all, let us know.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,024
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
It's worth a start. At least to see if the chlorine will try to hold. That's what I'm really curious about. Sun is going down soon so that should help.
Ok so I added in 2 gallons of 12.5 just now at 10:40 pm EST and after 15 minutes used my Taylor FAS DPD kit. Measured to 10ml and so using the .5 ratio I got 18 drops. So 9ppm? This was the result!
kul
Bronze Supporter
- Oct 1, 2021
- 1,434
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
i was also able to do overnight test and just tested at 5:30am this morning and my FC was 8.5 ppm (17 drops).
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,024
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
So last night 9 and this morning 8.5. Great!
I'm quite amazed actually after everything that has happened there, even with a pool company doing a previous opening for you. So now you can start adding some stabilizer. I would shoot for a CYA target of 40 for now. If it gets really hot and you get a lot of sunshine, even 50. Or, if you plan on using pucks for a bit, you can take the CYA to 30 immediately with granular stabilizer (use the sock method) then let the pucks increase the CYA to about 50. But stop using pucks once you hit 50. Also be sure to keep the FC in the proper range for that CYA as noted on the FC/CYA Levels.That should be it. Any questions?
Good morning, go ahead and add 30 ppm of stabilizer/cya via the sock method hanging in front of an active return. Grab a water sample and do the full test if all the levels and then post so we can advise further.
Will do! It's raining right now and I purchased the stabilizer online but it hasn't arrived, so I will have to wait, will that be an issue?So last night 9 and this morning 8.5. Great!
That should be it. Any questions?
Also, may I ask, what did you mean when you mentioned "amazed after everything..even with a pool company doing opening"? Just curious if I need to look out for anything.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,024
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
With no stabilizer, the sun night take the free chlorine much faster, so you might test it a could times today.
As for the opening, pool stores don't have the greatest track record. Given the state of your pool, you are one of the exceptions that seemed to receive good service.
As for the opening, pool stores don't have the greatest track record. Given the state of your pool, you are one of the exceptions that seemed to receive good service.
I think the pool company made a mistake to yout advantage and probably cannot duplicate it.
Hey! So stabilizer arrives tomorrow. I was checking pool calculator and it says that for my approx 25K gallon pool, I need about 9 pounds dru stabilizer to get to 45ppm. I know the sick method is recommended, but how do I do that with one or two socks? Won't 9 pounds using this technique take forever?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,024
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
You'll need at least 2 tube socks, maybe three. I use classic white tube socks. Fill them up, tie off the opening temporarily, then let them pre-sock in the pool for about 30-40 minutes. You can tie them to the end of your brush pole or use any stick really. Just don't let the socks hang against the side of the pool. After about 30-40 minutes, take the socks over to a return jet and start squeezing. All the stabilizer "mush" should come out relatively easily. Then you're done.
kul
Bronze Supporter
- Oct 1, 2021
- 1,434
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I use an old tshirt knotted as needed and just pile it in. Remember to go slow with CYA and test before adding more.
that makes sense. Last question before I do this, should I add in more liquid shock before doing the stabilizer if my FC is low again? Or should I do stabilizer first then liquid chlorine?