The numbers

[rlefig]

First full test on pool. As many of you know bought the house on short sale and pool not open or running in years. A month ago it was black, now it is cloudy. I have been adding in bleach. Tried the pool calc but I got a number way off the charts.

4.5 ppm fc
3 ppm cc
300 ta
7.5 ph
190 ch
35 cya.

It is a plaster pool water temp is 60 degress

thanks

 

[pwrstrk]

I take it these results are from one of our recommended test kits ? If they are then ....
With the CC of 3 and cloudy water you need to follow the SLAM process.
First lower your PH a bit with acid then start the SLAM.
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/125-slam-shock-level-and-maintain-shockingl
Use pool math for your dosing of acid and bleach. http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html ?

 

[jblizzle]

Tried the pool calc but I got a number way off the charts.

What does that mean?

 

[rlefig]

jbizzle, just the TA seemed to be so high. When I put in that number the fields did not populate like on other calculations.

 

[Smykowski]

What are you trying to adjust? I just entered all of your results into PoolMath and had no problems.

 

[rlefig]

yes you are correct, long day of moving big rocks. Just trying to clean up the cloudiness. Will look at slam again. I think i got ascared because TA was so much higher.

 

[Smykowski]

Yes, your TA is high, but it won't hurt anything for now. You can get it down later. For now worry about the SLAM and cleaning up the water. I would bring your pH down to 7.2 and then get started.

 

[rlefig]

thanks, this patio is wearing on me. But it is getting there. I plan to lay another pallet or so of brick this weekend

 

[Richard320]

A couple thoughts:

1) The TA test is prone to errors due to static electricity. Wipe the tip of the bottle with a damp paper towel between drops. If it did have a problem with static electricity, the drops would be smaller, which would mean more drops to get the same change, which would give an artificially high TA reading.
2) TA in itself is not harmful. You bathe in the same water, drink it, wash dishes in it. It's not critical and it's relatively easy to fix once the pool is clear. So don't sweat it.
3) Are you still dragging the bottom for leaves and muck? If the pool was black, I suspect there would have been a lot of sludge. It will burn up chlorine at an amazing rate, which slows the SLAM process.

 

[rlefig]

Quick number test yesterday afternoon and this morning

yesterday was
fc = 19 ppm
cc = 1 ppm

This morning it is
fc = 12.5 ppm
cc = 0

Watewr is still cloudy and I still have vacuuming to do. But hopefully getting there

thanks everybody for all your help, it is greatly appreciated

 

[rlefig]

Still slamming

 

[rlefig]

Good morning the water is still cloudy. I have still also been scooping some leaves from bottom. Have also been brushing a lot and vacuuming some.

I guess I keep SLAM-ing. here is a recent round of readings. Can CYA go down if no water is replaced? And is this length of time to get a clear pool normal? It has been looking better, but not there yet.

thanks

5/9
fc = 13 ppm
cc = 0

5/10
fc = 14.5 ppm
cc = 0
CYA = 20
ph = 7.5

5/11
FC = 11ppm
CC = 0
PH 7.5
CYA = 25
CH = 300

5/12

FC = 12.5 ppm
CC = 0

 

[duraleigh]

Your pics show a lot of improvement and it sure sounds like you are doing all the right things. I think it's time for some POP (pool Owner Patience). Your situation is not at all uncommon. Stay the course. Keep your FC up there just as you have been doing. Watch your filter psi to clean/backwash when necessary.

Your getting there and doing all things correctly as nearly as I can tell.

 

[rlefig]

Thanks, I cleaned the cartridges this weekend as my newly purchased pressure gauge from here did show an increase from the normal 6-7 PSI up to 9. Plus I had no cleaned it all from the "black stage". I will be patient.

Laying another 3 pallets of brick this weekend for the pool patio

 

[Richard320]

At least you can see progress!

In light of your brushing the pool and bricklaying, I suggest you buy your bleach somewhere like Target, that also sells Motrin and beer.

 

[rlefig]

That is a great suggestion, but in MA only Liquor Stores sell beer. I do get most of my bleach at Wal-Mart.

 

[rlefig]

Still slamming cc's are usually 0 or .5 I am still putting in LC to keep the FC at shock

 

[pwrstrk]

Looks like you still need some SLAM time. Stay with it. It'll come around. ?

 

[freqz]

Progress! Keep up the good work!

 

[Styxbb]

Looking better. As a newb trying to learn, I was just curious as to how much bleach you have gone through.