Hi all,
I have really been enlightened by the various discussions and first hand information available on this site, especially the Chlorine/CYA Chart by Chemgeek. That was an eye opener. I've been doing pretty well at finding information on most of my issues which I have been fighting a loosing battle with since we built a pool 15 years ago. A few years ago I had to replace the liner and it was a toss up to replace it or dig it up and fill in the hole. None the less, I still have a pool. This year was the worst yet and after reviewing a few articles I realized my high CYA (~180) seemed to be the first priority. I attribute this to nobody at the pool stores warning you about stabilized tablets coupled with the stabilized shock which I had been using for the past few years. My PH stayed low (~6.8) and the TA stayed high (~180) no matter what I threw at it. This year the water clouded up and and would not go away. After a gallon and a half of MA followed by a 50% drain and refill I'm somewhere bewtween 50-100 CYA, PH is between 7.2-7.8 with TA 80-120 and CH is about 250 and best of all I can see the bottom of the pool. I've taken up the BBB method and have been buying up Wal-Mart bleach and 20 Mule Team borax but with my TA level no baking soda yet. However, before the season started I bought up "several" 1# bags of potassium monopersulfate because last year I got in one of those "keep shocking till the level drops" and that was not pretty. I figured the MPS would help but now I read about how the stuff can mess up testing. I've used a few bags back a couple of weeks ago and was wondering [1] How long does it hang around? [2] Should I use it? and just to keep with the [3]point sermon rules, [3] Should I be using an algeacide, and if so what kind?
I'm open for any other words of advice, suggested articles, and words of encouragement.
Thanks
I have really been enlightened by the various discussions and first hand information available on this site, especially the Chlorine/CYA Chart by Chemgeek. That was an eye opener. I've been doing pretty well at finding information on most of my issues which I have been fighting a loosing battle with since we built a pool 15 years ago. A few years ago I had to replace the liner and it was a toss up to replace it or dig it up and fill in the hole. None the less, I still have a pool. This year was the worst yet and after reviewing a few articles I realized my high CYA (~180) seemed to be the first priority. I attribute this to nobody at the pool stores warning you about stabilized tablets coupled with the stabilized shock which I had been using for the past few years. My PH stayed low (~6.8) and the TA stayed high (~180) no matter what I threw at it. This year the water clouded up and and would not go away. After a gallon and a half of MA followed by a 50% drain and refill I'm somewhere bewtween 50-100 CYA, PH is between 7.2-7.8 with TA 80-120 and CH is about 250 and best of all I can see the bottom of the pool. I've taken up the BBB method and have been buying up Wal-Mart bleach and 20 Mule Team borax but with my TA level no baking soda yet. However, before the season started I bought up "several" 1# bags of potassium monopersulfate because last year I got in one of those "keep shocking till the level drops" and that was not pretty. I figured the MPS would help but now I read about how the stuff can mess up testing. I've used a few bags back a couple of weeks ago and was wondering [1] How long does it hang around? [2] Should I use it? and just to keep with the [3]point sermon rules, [3] Should I be using an algeacide, and if so what kind?
I'm open for any other words of advice, suggested articles, and words of encouragement.
Thanks
MPS specifically doesn't oxidize algae very well - but if you don't have algae - like me - it seems it's a good fit. I use 2 bags once per week and half gal 6% bleach before swimming each time because my pool still won't hold FC (for long). Nobody can explain that one. i don't care. The water is clear and I'm not getting sick.