Recent content by hyness

I've updated my location, I'm in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. I put in my numbers from yesterday and got -0.3 which, if I'm reading it right isn't in the bad zone for plaster. Looking at my test results, numbers and pics, do you think the algae is gone? I think I have to leave the...

So, should I do anything about the low CH? My test showed 120 and the recommended minimum for plaster pools is 250. I read that low CH means corrosive water that could damage the pool.

I tested last night around 6:30pm and this morning around 5:30am

Finished the OFCLT and i went from FC 11 to 10 which is 1 ppm again. I meet all 3 criteria from pool school, so I think this is done, but what could be causing the 1 ppm loss? Also, should I do anything about the low CH? What are the effects of low CH?

Just got back from vacuuming the pool :-D I bought one and hose on the way home. Almost all of the leaves on the bottom are gone. Filled the pump basket to the brim with leaves and dirt. A bit of an adventure getting the pump cover back on correctly but everything is running again. I just...

Ok, back from work at 5pm and measured FC 7. The last time I put chlorine in the pool was ~7pm yesterday. I added 28oz of 10% bleach to get back to FC 10. I looked in the skimmer and sock of CYA is still pretty full. I squeezed a bunch of times to get the white milky stuff to come out...

I did brush the algae. It was dark and I was half asleep so I'm not entirely sure, but I didn't see any algae. I think I'll give it another day to be sure like you said. Should I start testing TA, CH so I have a full set of numbers or should I wait until I'm done shocking?

Ok, retested the water around 5:30 am which I think is about 10 hours later for the OFCLT. I got FC 10 and CC 0. I wasn't sure if I counted right and tested again and it may have been 9.5 as there may have been a hint of pink in the test. It was still dark outside but with the pool lights on...

Yes he did. I guess that's where I got confused. He added it in the skimmer, which from what I read is the correct way to do it, but I thought maybe some is left in the water. I'll learn this stuff. I did read about maintenance for both filters, I guess I just haven't fully groked it. BTW...

The pool guy opened and fully cleaned the DE filter right before he drained all the water. We marked the pressure after he cleaned it and today it seems to be holding steady there.

OK I'll follow the guide from here. One last question for today...since the pool was empty and I have a DE filter, should I add DE?

Ok, added the muriatic acid (very carefully), waited about 40 mins, retested and the pH is now down to 7.2! I'm kind of amazed, the very rough estimate I got for my pool must be fairly accurate. Anyway, now adding 100 oz of 10% bleach to get FC to 10. When should I check the chlorine level...

Ok, off to Lowe's to get muriatic acid. I'm kind of scared about handling that stuff, but I'll be extra careful. How long after adding it should I wait before retesting? Edit: replaced censored word, sorry I'll watch my languange

Retested using a sixth drop as recommended in the extended instructions and it's definitely lighter than 8.0, I'm going to say its 7.8 which I believe is at the top the scale

Ok, placed sock in skimmer for now. Tested pH (my first test!) and it was very pink. I couldn't tell if it was 7.8 or 8.0. Recommended level is 7.5 to 7.8, so I'm probably a little high? Is it close enough to start shocking?