I'm starting my 3rd season as a pool owner in Central FL. I self-maintain my pool. We opened a little late because my partner moved in with me in April and we didn't really have time for pool stuff. Also, the nights were unusually cold this spring, so the pool temps were chilly. Water temps are finally up into the 80's, so we're opening this weekend and plan to take a dip tonight
I have a 30k gallon in-ground plastered pool. The pump is working fine, and I replaced the Pentair filter last weekend. I maintained minimum chems in my pool through the winter, and it never once went green on me, so opening has been pretty painless. Also, my southerly neighbor finally chopped the old dying oak tree that was shedding leaves and acorns and shading my pool (thank god!)
Last fall, I invested in a TFP testing kit with the thinking that this spring I would get serious about my chemistry. Here are my numbers as of this morning:
Free Chlorine: 4 ppm
Combined Chlorinates: 0
Calcium Hardness: 250
Total Alkalinity: 20
CYA: 70
pH: 6.8
I understand that my TA and pH are low. I've added 3 pounds of baking soda this afternoon, and I've got 25 pounds more coming by delivery tonight. The Pool Math app recommends 22 pounds to raise my TA, which I plan to add slowly over a couple of days in batches until I achieve the desired reading. I previously read on this site not to adjust pH until the other factors are stabilized.
Here's my question - I'm having a persistent problem where there is chalky residue on the sides and walls of my pool that turn the water cloudy when brushed. This started in my 2nd season and continues to this day. Could the low TA be leaching out the plaster and causing this chalky stuff?
I also realize my CYA is a little high. I expect it to drop as the Central FL rainy season starts and I need to start routinely pumping water out of the pool. This came from a rookie mistake in my first year of over-using stabilized chlorine pucks. It's slowly been declining and I expect it to be back in the normal range this season.
Thanks for reading.
I have a 30k gallon in-ground plastered pool. The pump is working fine, and I replaced the Pentair filter last weekend. I maintained minimum chems in my pool through the winter, and it never once went green on me, so opening has been pretty painless. Also, my southerly neighbor finally chopped the old dying oak tree that was shedding leaves and acorns and shading my pool (thank god!)
Last fall, I invested in a TFP testing kit with the thinking that this spring I would get serious about my chemistry. Here are my numbers as of this morning:
Free Chlorine: 4 ppm
Combined Chlorinates: 0
Calcium Hardness: 250
Total Alkalinity: 20
CYA: 70
pH: 6.8
I understand that my TA and pH are low. I've added 3 pounds of baking soda this afternoon, and I've got 25 pounds more coming by delivery tonight. The Pool Math app recommends 22 pounds to raise my TA, which I plan to add slowly over a couple of days in batches until I achieve the desired reading. I previously read on this site not to adjust pH until the other factors are stabilized.
Here's my question - I'm having a persistent problem where there is chalky residue on the sides and walls of my pool that turn the water cloudy when brushed. This started in my 2nd season and continues to this day. Could the low TA be leaching out the plaster and causing this chalky stuff?
I also realize my CYA is a little high. I expect it to drop as the Central FL rainy season starts and I need to start routinely pumping water out of the pool. This came from a rookie mistake in my first year of over-using stabilized chlorine pucks. It's slowly been declining and I expect it to be back in the normal range this season.
Thanks for reading.
