We moved into a home with a pool in the Dallas, TX area in September 2014. Never had a pool or cared for a pool before in my life. The pool was built in 1998 and my guess is all the equipment is original. It is a "play pool," meaning it is 3 feet on the ends and goes to about 5 feet in the middle, in somewhat of a figure 8 shape.
I had Leslie's pool company come out for "pool school." They taught me how to use and check the equipment, including how to back flush. I also had them clean the filter since I wasn't sure when the last time it was cleaned. The filter was dirty, but in good shape. The pool man said some of the screens had been replaced in the past. The filter was good to go.
I paid another pool man to come and care for the pool and add chemicals for these first two months while I was learning from this board. So now, since it's winter, I'm ready to try it myself. I have the Taylor K-2006 testing kit.
We have very hard water so the Calcium level is over 400. The pool guy says that even if we drained it and re-filled it, most likely the Calcium Hardness level would remain that high.
My first "tests" came back:
10.2 ppm Free Chlorine
No combined chlorine present
PH Test was 7.8 to 8. It took two drops of re-agent to bring it down to 7.6, so it said to add 24 ounces of Muratic Acid.
Alkalinity was 150
Cyruinic Acid was 200 ppm or more (it doesn't measure that high). I'm guessing the high CA came from an in-line chlorinator over the years of the age of the pool.
The water still looks beautiful and clear. The pool guy said there's no reason to drain the pool at this time. (He's been at this in our area for over 10 years).
So, where do I go from here? When do I add liquid bleach and how much. (I want to move away from the chlorine tabs).
Thanks so much for any help/advice you can give.
I had Leslie's pool company come out for "pool school." They taught me how to use and check the equipment, including how to back flush. I also had them clean the filter since I wasn't sure when the last time it was cleaned. The filter was dirty, but in good shape. The pool man said some of the screens had been replaced in the past. The filter was good to go.
I paid another pool man to come and care for the pool and add chemicals for these first two months while I was learning from this board. So now, since it's winter, I'm ready to try it myself. I have the Taylor K-2006 testing kit.
We have very hard water so the Calcium level is over 400. The pool guy says that even if we drained it and re-filled it, most likely the Calcium Hardness level would remain that high.
My first "tests" came back:
10.2 ppm Free Chlorine
No combined chlorine present
PH Test was 7.8 to 8. It took two drops of re-agent to bring it down to 7.6, so it said to add 24 ounces of Muratic Acid.
Alkalinity was 150
Cyruinic Acid was 200 ppm or more (it doesn't measure that high). I'm guessing the high CA came from an in-line chlorinator over the years of the age of the pool.
The water still looks beautiful and clear. The pool guy said there's no reason to drain the pool at this time. (He's been at this in our area for over 10 years).
So, where do I go from here? When do I add liquid bleach and how much. (I want to move away from the chlorine tabs).
Thanks so much for any help/advice you can give.