Greetings!
We've had our pool for four years, and whenever we've pulled the cover off each year, the water has always been sparkling clean and simply needed the chemicals brought up to the correct levels. NOT this year! When we pulled the cover last week, the water was a lovely shade of Kelly Green and had the lovely fragrance of Eau de Swamp! We bought a new cover last fall that evidently let a whole lot of gunk into the water and it's been brewing all winter.
Until I found this site a couple of days ago, I've been trying to clear things up with an inexpensive 5 way test kit and frequent trips to the pool supply store. I'm sure they we're trying to be helpful, (especially with spending money). The green went away after a couple of days but the water is still milky and murky. I can only see to a depth of about a foot. I loaded up the auto-chlorinator, cranked it up, left the pump running on high, have been vacuuming, brushing, cleaning the filter twice each day and tossing in powdered shock without really knowing what was going on...I've been guessing (and, judging from the results so far, not too well).
Anyway, I found this site while Google searching and started reading. I've profoundly thanked the heavens, my departed ancestors and everyone else I can think of that I found you!! I registered and started reading everything again. Yesterday, I went and bought out the entire supply of bleach and borax at the local Walmart (10 gallons of 8.25% and five boxes of 20 Mule Team). Today I went to the pool supply store and purchased the Taylor K-2006 kit recommended here, brought it home, read the instructions and ran the tests. Here are the results (from 2:30 this afternoon):
FC=15.5
CC=1
Ph=7.2
TA=120
CYA=90
My guessing was getting the chlorine up, just not enough, but, in the process, I shot the CYA way up. (This was all PRE TFP!)
Using the Chlorine/CYA Chart on the site, and the Pool Calculator, I've added the recommended amount of bleach to bring the chlorine level to 31. I brought the Ph up yesterday morning (using the Borax) and it has been consistent ever since.
So, if I understand what I've read here correctly, I've shut off the auto chlorinator (primarily to keep from shooting the CYA up even more), keep the pump running on high, keep the Ph in line at about 7.2, keep the chlorine up to about 31 (checking every 2 hours during the day beginning bright and early each morning) and keep brushing until the water is sparkling clear again. Once that happens (which should be within a few days?) I let the FC drift back down to normal operating levels of 4 to 5, and bring the Ph up to 7.6-7.8. Did I understand correctly?
Please let me know if there is anything I've overlooked, forgotten to do, or if you need any additional information.
You are all exceptional people for being willing to take the time and make the effort to help clueless idiots like me, and I thank you and appreciate you very much.
Thanks, again (and again, and again...)
We've had our pool for four years, and whenever we've pulled the cover off each year, the water has always been sparkling clean and simply needed the chemicals brought up to the correct levels. NOT this year! When we pulled the cover last week, the water was a lovely shade of Kelly Green and had the lovely fragrance of Eau de Swamp! We bought a new cover last fall that evidently let a whole lot of gunk into the water and it's been brewing all winter.
Until I found this site a couple of days ago, I've been trying to clear things up with an inexpensive 5 way test kit and frequent trips to the pool supply store. I'm sure they we're trying to be helpful, (especially with spending money). The green went away after a couple of days but the water is still milky and murky. I can only see to a depth of about a foot. I loaded up the auto-chlorinator, cranked it up, left the pump running on high, have been vacuuming, brushing, cleaning the filter twice each day and tossing in powdered shock without really knowing what was going on...I've been guessing (and, judging from the results so far, not too well).
Anyway, I found this site while Google searching and started reading. I've profoundly thanked the heavens, my departed ancestors and everyone else I can think of that I found you!! I registered and started reading everything again. Yesterday, I went and bought out the entire supply of bleach and borax at the local Walmart (10 gallons of 8.25% and five boxes of 20 Mule Team). Today I went to the pool supply store and purchased the Taylor K-2006 kit recommended here, brought it home, read the instructions and ran the tests. Here are the results (from 2:30 this afternoon):
FC=15.5
CC=1
Ph=7.2
TA=120
CYA=90
My guessing was getting the chlorine up, just not enough, but, in the process, I shot the CYA way up. (This was all PRE TFP!)
Using the Chlorine/CYA Chart on the site, and the Pool Calculator, I've added the recommended amount of bleach to bring the chlorine level to 31. I brought the Ph up yesterday morning (using the Borax) and it has been consistent ever since.
So, if I understand what I've read here correctly, I've shut off the auto chlorinator (primarily to keep from shooting the CYA up even more), keep the pump running on high, keep the Ph in line at about 7.2, keep the chlorine up to about 31 (checking every 2 hours during the day beginning bright and early each morning) and keep brushing until the water is sparkling clear again. Once that happens (which should be within a few days?) I let the FC drift back down to normal operating levels of 4 to 5, and bring the Ph up to 7.6-7.8. Did I understand correctly?
Please let me know if there is anything I've overlooked, forgotten to do, or if you need any additional information.
You are all exceptional people for being willing to take the time and make the effort to help clueless idiots like me, and I thank you and appreciate you very much.
Thanks, again (and again, and again...)