Hey everyone, thanks for all the info you guys provide. Just joined the site when I bought the test kit. I've been reading alot the last week or so and figured it's time for me to chime in before I make a real mess
My name is Billy, I'm in NJ. I have a 30,000 gallon inground pool with DE filter and just put in a new Pentair VS because the last one was totally rotted and dead when we opened the pool (will get that in my sig in a bit). I just bought this house at the end of last summer. First time having a pool ever. I had the pool going OK at the end of last summer (at least I think) and opened it to a green mess this year.
Here is the summary of what has happened, I figure this is the best way to start.
1) Pool opened to green mess, couldn't start the filtration because of dead motor. Replaced motor 3 days later. The guy who replaced it said he "put in some shock" for me although I didn't know they were putting in chemicals. Not sure what he put in.
2) I had used those cheap test kits with the strip that I got at the pool store last year. Used them once I had the pump running to test the water to get started on. After reading a bit online it seemed the first thing to do was to make sure the ph was right before I did any more shocking or anything. The test strips seems to indicate that my ph was too low so I added some soda ash I got from the pool store last year.
3) Waiting a day and then tested the CYA. It seemed low according to the strips, don't remember how low but low enough that I added 3 gallons of the liquid stabilizer I had from last year.
4) Went to pool store to ask some questions. Their answers were suspect. Spent some money and got annoyed. Realized I really don't know what I'm doing, started reading more online. Found this site.
5) Ordered the TF-100 kit and waited for it. Under the advice of one of the helpful people here helping someone else, I went ahead and bought a bunch of generic bleach and started adding 1 gallon per day and brushed the pool every day. Did that for 3 days.
6) Got the test kit yesterday. An hour before sunset I did some tests. Forgot to re-test ph and went right to CYA and FC. CYA read at 60 (I think) and FC 10. According to pool math I needed 5 gallons to get to shock level of 24. Added those 5 gallons last night and brushed the whole pool after that.
7. Today about an hour ago I went ahead and tested the ph. It's high, about 8.2 right now. CYA tested between 70 and 80 it seems, not sure because I'm having a bit of trouble with the method used to test that. I tried doing it outside with my back to the sun but it's very sunny out and there was too much shimmer and glare in the tube to be able to tell. Went inside and tried it a few times, each time it seems to test at 70-80. FC is 25.
So my questions are...
How is my FC still at shock level? Shouldn't it be a lot lower since I added that bleach last night?
What do I do about the ph? Should I continue with the SLAM or should I stop and get that ph lowered?
One note about the weather here...it's been pretty gross here for the past 10 days. I think we got 4 hours of sun this past Sunday and other than that it's been cloudy and rainy for like 10 days straight. Today was the first day of sunshine since I opened the pool.
Here are some pics of the pool as of right now. It is very noticeably less green than it was yesterday. Yesterday it was dark green, today it's much lighter and I can see the third step. Some pics:
Here's one of the steps:
What do you guys think? What's my next move? Thank you!!!
Billy
My name is Billy, I'm in NJ. I have a 30,000 gallon inground pool with DE filter and just put in a new Pentair VS because the last one was totally rotted and dead when we opened the pool (will get that in my sig in a bit). I just bought this house at the end of last summer. First time having a pool ever. I had the pool going OK at the end of last summer (at least I think) and opened it to a green mess this year.
Here is the summary of what has happened, I figure this is the best way to start.
1) Pool opened to green mess, couldn't start the filtration because of dead motor. Replaced motor 3 days later. The guy who replaced it said he "put in some shock" for me although I didn't know they were putting in chemicals. Not sure what he put in.
2) I had used those cheap test kits with the strip that I got at the pool store last year. Used them once I had the pump running to test the water to get started on. After reading a bit online it seemed the first thing to do was to make sure the ph was right before I did any more shocking or anything. The test strips seems to indicate that my ph was too low so I added some soda ash I got from the pool store last year.
3) Waiting a day and then tested the CYA. It seemed low according to the strips, don't remember how low but low enough that I added 3 gallons of the liquid stabilizer I had from last year.
4) Went to pool store to ask some questions. Their answers were suspect. Spent some money and got annoyed. Realized I really don't know what I'm doing, started reading more online. Found this site.
5) Ordered the TF-100 kit and waited for it. Under the advice of one of the helpful people here helping someone else, I went ahead and bought a bunch of generic bleach and started adding 1 gallon per day and brushed the pool every day. Did that for 3 days.
6) Got the test kit yesterday. An hour before sunset I did some tests. Forgot to re-test ph and went right to CYA and FC. CYA read at 60 (I think) and FC 10. According to pool math I needed 5 gallons to get to shock level of 24. Added those 5 gallons last night and brushed the whole pool after that.
7. Today about an hour ago I went ahead and tested the ph. It's high, about 8.2 right now. CYA tested between 70 and 80 it seems, not sure because I'm having a bit of trouble with the method used to test that. I tried doing it outside with my back to the sun but it's very sunny out and there was too much shimmer and glare in the tube to be able to tell. Went inside and tried it a few times, each time it seems to test at 70-80. FC is 25.
So my questions are...
How is my FC still at shock level? Shouldn't it be a lot lower since I added that bleach last night?
What do I do about the ph? Should I continue with the SLAM or should I stop and get that ph lowered?
One note about the weather here...it's been pretty gross here for the past 10 days. I think we got 4 hours of sun this past Sunday and other than that it's been cloudy and rainy for like 10 days straight. Today was the first day of sunshine since I opened the pool.
Here are some pics of the pool as of right now. It is very noticeably less green than it was yesterday. Yesterday it was dark green, today it's much lighter and I can see the third step. Some pics:
Here's one of the steps:
What do you guys think? What's my next move? Thank you!!!
Billy