- Jul 19, 2011
- 33
Hello,
First of all let me say that I have read all over these forums and many other resources attempting to learn pool chemistry. My situation is as follows:
Intex 16x48" pool. 1500 gph filter/ pump. Intex salt system.
I filled the pool over 3 days with my well. When it was all said and done, I had a bowl of tea.
I wrapped a cotton towel around my filter, put cotton sock over pool return, added 125 lbs of salt and 16oz of shock. I then ran just the filter and pump for 24 hours. I ended up with blue / light green, slightly cloudy water. Barely anything on my towel or sock. I was thinking it was iron (we don't have any iron issues in the house) but I think it was just sediment and perhaps algae.
So I went ahead and scheduled and ran salt system for 5 hours with filtering. That left me with blue water with a slight cloud to it. I boosted the salt so it ran 10 hours with pump and filter. I had the cover over the pool this time due to mowing. Water is blue with slight cloud.
By the time that cycle finished I acquired a test kit. The water is blue, slight cloudy. It tested out high on chlorine and high on ph. Total alkalinity was high. Pulled cover and swam in it for an hour or so. Nothing irritating. Water felt fine. Still blue, slight cloud.
Today blue, slight cloud. Swam in it then tested it. Chlorine levels way down. Ph still high.
I have ph increased, algaecide, and clarifier now but haven't added anything. The system is doing it's 5 hour run now on the salt.
So that is the history . . Now my questions.
I am unsure where to start. . .I assume ph first. Get it right, then chlorine.
I don't know if when I add the ph increaser if I should turn off the salt and make sure it doesn't run, or it won't hurt if it does. I don't know if I can do multiple things at once . . Add ph increaser and clarifier or shock, etc.
I am working on a pool vac so I don't have one yet. Been skimming, nothing really on the bottom or walls.
My other questions are how did I go so quickly from high chlorine to barely registering? Does the sun really do that? Finally, it is best to do my pool processing at night, morning, or day? I am trying to get a schedule going but want to leave time for the kiddo to be able to swim.
Also, in pretty much filter continuously and make sure it is clean. I have noticed small collections of lint or algae in the filter but overall it always looks pretty good.
I welcome any advice or instruction.
Phil
First of all let me say that I have read all over these forums and many other resources attempting to learn pool chemistry. My situation is as follows:
Intex 16x48" pool. 1500 gph filter/ pump. Intex salt system.
I filled the pool over 3 days with my well. When it was all said and done, I had a bowl of tea.
I wrapped a cotton towel around my filter, put cotton sock over pool return, added 125 lbs of salt and 16oz of shock. I then ran just the filter and pump for 24 hours. I ended up with blue / light green, slightly cloudy water. Barely anything on my towel or sock. I was thinking it was iron (we don't have any iron issues in the house) but I think it was just sediment and perhaps algae.
So I went ahead and scheduled and ran salt system for 5 hours with filtering. That left me with blue water with a slight cloud to it. I boosted the salt so it ran 10 hours with pump and filter. I had the cover over the pool this time due to mowing. Water is blue with slight cloud.
By the time that cycle finished I acquired a test kit. The water is blue, slight cloudy. It tested out high on chlorine and high on ph. Total alkalinity was high. Pulled cover and swam in it for an hour or so. Nothing irritating. Water felt fine. Still blue, slight cloud.
Today blue, slight cloud. Swam in it then tested it. Chlorine levels way down. Ph still high.
I have ph increased, algaecide, and clarifier now but haven't added anything. The system is doing it's 5 hour run now on the salt.
So that is the history . . Now my questions.
I am unsure where to start. . .I assume ph first. Get it right, then chlorine.
I don't know if when I add the ph increaser if I should turn off the salt and make sure it doesn't run, or it won't hurt if it does. I don't know if I can do multiple things at once . . Add ph increaser and clarifier or shock, etc.
I am working on a pool vac so I don't have one yet. Been skimming, nothing really on the bottom or walls.
My other questions are how did I go so quickly from high chlorine to barely registering? Does the sun really do that? Finally, it is best to do my pool processing at night, morning, or day? I am trying to get a schedule going but want to leave time for the kiddo to be able to swim.
Also, in pretty much filter continuously and make sure it is clean. I have noticed small collections of lint or algae in the filter but overall it always looks pretty good.
I welcome any advice or instruction.
Phil