Results from the pool store b/c our test does not test for CYA:
You need your own kit, read about them here.
Questions?
1. Since our pool is indoors - will the CYA level ever go down?
No. Basically draining/refilling is your only option to lower CYA
2. The "pool calculator" said we needed to empty out 60% of our pool to get the CYA to go down . . . is that the only way to get it to go down? Our pool is old and we have to empty it with a sumpump and a very long hose down to the street.
Yikes, see above.
3. Is it bad to have high CYA levels?
Yes. An indoor pool doesn't need much CYA, maybe a level of 20...
Can we just leave it at 100? B/c I really do not want to have to empty 60% of our pool.
Yes, but you have to maintain proper FC levels according to the CYA/Chlorine chart and shocking is not practical when CYA is that high. If your FC isn't holding, you need to shock.
4. High TA levels - the local pool store said I needed to add muriatic acid to decrease our TA. But "pool school" says muriatic acid is used to lower the pH. I'm confused.
The article in Pool School called How to Lower TA explains step by step what to do. Acid lowers both PH and TA. Then you use aeration to raise the PH back up.
5. We don't have a waterfall or spa jets and we dont' use the pool all that often - can you give us a recommendation on what we can use to aerate the pool? How much aeration do we need in order to actually effect the TA level? 24 hours?
You only need to lower the TA if the PH frequently drifts up and it becomes annoying having to add muratic acid daily. You apparently have had the opposite problem...
Simply add muratic acid when you see PH of 7.8 or higher. Add enough acid to lower the PH to 7.2 and eventually the TA will drop into range. There is no critical reason to do it any quicker than that, and an additional source of aeration isn't needed because you aren't dropping the PH below 7.2.
6. If we switch from trichlor tabs to bleach how often should I expect to be adding bleach? The pool store said every week. True?
No. Not true. You have to add bleach daily.
Adding bleach is literally 5 minutes a day if that, and overtime, you will get to know your pool and probably won't need to add bleach daily, probably every other day (that's what I do most of the time).
IF you switch from trichlor tabs? Trichlor tabs raise CYA, lower ph and ta. These are the root of your troubles. You should not use trichlor tabs.
7. Which problem do I tackle first? TA? CYA? pH? FC?
Lowering CYA. Fresh water may require adjusting the PH/TA levels.
Thank you and any advice is much appreciated. Also, if I make any mistakes on these posts I apologize ahead of time - I've never posted anything before to any website.