Complete beginner don't what I'm doing. HELP!!
- Thread starter rookie_pool
- Start date
Don't listen to that, and don't do anything else precipitous. Once you get the hang of testing and follow the tried and true steps on here you won't be lost any more.
- Jun 8, 2019
- 4,579
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
How's the CYA look?
For the CH and TA tests, I add drops until the color changes a little, then keep adding drops until it stops changing color. Then I subtract that last drop that didn't do anything.
For the CH and TA tests, I add drops until the color changes a little, then keep adding drops until it stops changing color. Then I subtract that last drop that didn't do anything.
My Clarifier order from Amazon should be arriving today.
I think the algae is from my pool cover getting ripped last winter and having holes in it, also probably because I’ve used the solar cover in 2021 to heat up the pool.
I think the algae is from my pool cover getting ripped last winter and having holes in it, also probably because I’ve used the solar cover in 2021 to heat up the pool.
This is what I mean about not being precipitous. That likely will make things worse. Post your complete test results here.
Post your test results like this:
FC (free chlorine)
CC (combined chlorine)
pH
TA (total alkalnity)
CH (calcium hardness)
CYA (cyanuric acid)
FC (free chlorine)
CC (combined chlorine)
pH
TA (total alkalnity)
CH (calcium hardness)
CYA (cyanuric acid)
Step 1 - take a deep breath. We got ya'.
Step 2 - do NOT add anything else to the pool unless we explicitly tell you to do so.
Step 3 - stay out of the pool store.
Step 4 - post a full set of test results.
Step 5 - add enough stabilizer (CYA) in a sock to raise your CYA by 20 ppm. Hang the sock in front of a return. Squeeze it periodically to help it dissolve. Use Pool Math to determine how much you need. It will take a couple of days to dissolve. Until then, consider your CYA to be 30 ppm until we test it again.
Step 6 - add enough liquid chlorine to raise your FC to 12 ppm. Test and add as often as practical to keep it at 12. Hourly is great if you can. This is called a SLAM (shock level and maintain). Keep this up until the water turns blue and is completely clear. Let us know and we'll tell you what to do next. Run the pump 24x7.
Step 2 - do NOT add anything else to the pool unless we explicitly tell you to do so.
Step 3 - stay out of the pool store.
Step 4 - post a full set of test results.
Step 5 - add enough stabilizer (CYA) in a sock to raise your CYA by 20 ppm. Hang the sock in front of a return. Squeeze it periodically to help it dissolve. Use Pool Math to determine how much you need. It will take a couple of days to dissolve. Until then, consider your CYA to be 30 ppm until we test it again.
Step 6 - add enough liquid chlorine to raise your FC to 12 ppm. Test and add as often as practical to keep it at 12. Hourly is great if you can. This is called a SLAM (shock level and maintain). Keep this up until the water turns blue and is completely clear. Let us know and we'll tell you what to do next. Run the pump 24x7.
Can't stress this enough....
There is no magic bullet here - just chemistry. Chemistry in 20,000+ gallons of water takes a little time. Trust the process, post the results of the test, follow the steps suggested.
To quote Alton Brown, 'Your patience will be rewarded..."
Seriously, breathe...
There is no magic bullet here - just chemistry. Chemistry in 20,000+ gallons of water takes a little time. Trust the process, post the results of the test, follow the steps suggested.
To quote Alton Brown, 'Your patience will be rewarded..."
FC 3.5
CC 1
pH 7.8
TA 140
CH 120
CYA 30 or less (I can still see black dot after topped)
- Jun 22, 2014
- 48,884
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Next steps to begin the SLAM Process:
1. Lower the pH to about 7.2.
2. Add about 10 ppm of stabilizer in an effort to get the CYA to 30.
3. Increase the FC to "12" and maintain it as best as possible. Test as often as required to ensure it's holding fairly well.
4. Follow all the steps on the SLAM Process page.
It works!
1. Lower the pH to about 7.2.
2. Add about 10 ppm of stabilizer in an effort to get the CYA to 30.
3. Increase the FC to "12" and maintain it as best as possible. Test as often as required to ensure it's holding fairly well.
4. Follow all the steps on the SLAM Process page.
It works!
Do this, follow the SLAM steps exactly including not stopping until you pass all 3 criteria. It can take a while, your patience may be tried, but it will work.
How much stabilizer should I add to my pool? I have a 20,000 gal pool.
Deb04
LifeTime Supporter
- Jul 12, 2008
- 708
- Pool Size
- 19000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
27 oz should raise your CYA by 10. I got this from Pool Math. Give Pool Math a try and practice by reproducing the number.
Ok, got the pH to 7.4, will wait a bit to see if it can go down to 7.2 otherwise I will have to buy more pH down later. Which stabilizer do you guys recommend? The $16.99 good enough?
Deb04
LifeTime Supporter
- Jul 12, 2008
- 708
- Pool Size
- 19000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Agree, when it's a known quantity with no differences (i.e., 10% CYA) just go for the cheapest one. I used the Clorox brand this spring.
OMG OMG OMG!!! IT’S BLUE!!!! IT WORKED!!!!
What do I do now?
Will update new test results when I get home later tonight.
Last night before I dumped 8 bottles of Liquid Chlorine in there the results were
FC = near zero (used about 10 dipper of R-8070 still didn’t turn pink)
pH = under 7.2
CYA = 30
What do I do now?
Will update new test results when I get home later tonight.
Last night before I dumped 8 bottles of Liquid Chlorine in there the results were
FC = near zero (used about 10 dipper of R-8070 still didn’t turn pink)
pH = under 7.2
CYA = 30
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