Noob looking for advice

[Varmint]

Hello! My name is Jim and I have a new to me 25k inground pool. See signature for details.

I went crazy with chemicals after I pulled the cover off to discover a green mess. I threw Algaecide and Shock from the local box store. Got the green gone and then flocked it to get it to settle . I have been vacuuming, scrubbing the walls, and rinsing the cartridges in the filter. Filter has been running a week and it is still cloudy. I got the PH and TA good 7.8/130 before I bought the Taylor K-2006 testing kit.

Here is what testing tonight. First post here... so go easy on me!

PH 7.6
FC 0.8
CC 4.2
TA 130
CYA 0 (never got the dot to disappear)
CH (never got the solution to turn red. It was purple-ish blue)


Looks like I need a boatload of chlorine. Any advise would be appreciated as it would get my kids off my back!


Thanks!

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!

What was the "shock" that you added?
With the 0 CYA and the high CC levels, you could be a candidate for ammonia.

Dose the FC up to 10ppm (use PoolMath), wait 10-15 minutes, retest FC and CC, repeat until the CCs drop and the FC starts to hold.

Then add 30ppm of CYA and follow the ShockLevelAndMAINTAIN Process.

Although I highly recommend you read these so you understand some of the chemistry before you start:
ABCs of Water Chemistry
Recommended Pool Chemicals
How to Chlorinate Your Pool

 

[Richard320]

Welcome!

What he said ^^^

I got as far as the test results before I suspected Ammonia as well.

 

[Varmint]

Welcome to TFP!!

What was the "shock" that you added?

Two gallons of "mega shock" and then I saw no change in FC on a stick. The next day I and four gallons of bleach. Still no change. That was on May 31 and June 1.

Remember, I'm a noob so don't beat me up too much!

 

[jblizzle]

Well if the mega shock was liquid, then it was likely just stronger bleach.

Follow the instructions in my previous post ... report the FC and CC readings here each time.

 

[Varmint]

Thanks for the quick replies!

Ok to raise FC with 68% Calcium Hypochlorite? I just put 3 lbs in. I will retest in the AM as it is dark here.

 

[jblizzle]

It will add CH, but it appears your might be pretty low anyway.

Waiting overnight will not help with the ammonia determination.

 

[MarianParoo]

Also, you can use a 10ml water sample instead of a 25ml. Each drop is multiplied by 0.5 or total count is divided by 2. Same thing. The directions are inside the lid of the kit. It will use less reagents.

 

[Varmint]

After 3 lbs 68% Calc Hypo
FC 1
CC 5

 

[jblizzle]

Target 10 per per million again

 

[Varmint]

5 more lbs of CalcHypo
FC 7
CC 2.5

 

[MarianParoo]

Btw, glad you decided to brave the dark and start tackling this thing!

- - - Updated - - -

What is the percent of your cal-hypo?

 

[Varmint]

Btw, glad you decided to brave the dark and start tackling this thing!

lol, I kissed the wife goodnight. If you guys are willing to help like this in real time, I will put in the effort. I want the pool clear! I need to get this system down as I have a large party July 9. I want this pool sparkling!

cal-hypo 68% from Doheny's

 

[Varmint]

Added 3 more lbs and tested no change. Just threw in another 2. Total of 12 lbs of 68% cal-hypo so far. I'll give it 30 minutes.

 

[MarianParoo]

Guess you already said 68%. My bad for missing that.
Can you do it one more time? You are right on the cusp.

- - - Updated - - -

Cross-post. I will try to stay online as others seem to have retired for the evening.

Good for you for fighting this thing. Do you have CYA on hand ready to go when you start holding chlorine?

 

[Varmint]

I will test in 10 minutes. I have 7 lbs of stabilizer on hand. Enough?

I am I just reporting FC and CC. Or should I be testing other numbers?

 

[Richard320]

I will test in 10 minutes. I have 7 lbs of stabilizer on hand. Enough?

I am I just reporting FC and CC. Or should I be testing other numbers?

No, just Fc & CC. You pH shouldn't have changed in so little time.

6 pounds of CYA ought to be enough. That'll get you to 29. When you test (in a few days), it'll show as 30ish, which is perfect for a SLAM. Just assume it's in there once you add the sock. Yes, sock. Or nylon. Don't just pour it in the pool or in the skimmer.

 

[Varmint]

That's a big sock! Can I dissolve it in a bucket? Going to test now.

 

[pooldv]

Just test FC and CC.

According to Poolmath 7 lbs of CYA stabilizer will raise CYA by 34 ppm in 25k gallons.

 

[Varmint]

FC 5.5
CC 3.0

WHAT?