Cloudy Pool

[LFVADALANE]

My pool was completely down for 6 months because the pump broke. We drained the pool half way 3 times & filled but still had a lot of debris. So we started with 4 bags of shock and filled up the chlorinated with 6-3" pucks . We vacuumed, swept the walls and netted all the debris we could see. Second day the water turned gray but was improving. We added one bag of Baking Soda and 4 boxes of Borax, per the pool calculator. My husband purchased a Taylor TK-2005 test kit. These are my current readings:
FC=>10(the test kit only goes to 10)
TC=>10
CC=0
PH=7.4ppm
TA=120 ppm
CA=50ppm
CYA= 60( tested yesterday and the day before with no change)

We have continued sweeping, vacuuming, & netting.
I added 6 gals. of liquid bleach yesterday and ran the pump 24 hrs. Pool is still cloudy. Am I going in the right direction with adding the bleach when my test doesn't go higher than 10. I definitely don't want to cause any more damage. Last year a $1500 pool repair ended up costing around $4,000 and so far this year we've had to replace both pumps, $600.
I've read tons & tons of forum discussions about similar situations but there is always some small differences. So I feel like I'm going in the right direction but need some assurance.I just want the beautiful pool I had in the beginning. My pool is 10 years old. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Texas Splash]

This site will keep you going in the right direction. Definitely do not add anything to your pool such as chlorine tablets (pucks) or bags of powder/shock. They are counter-productive and will effect other levels. I'm not a Taylor test kit person, but I think that's why TFP recommends the Taylor 2006 version or TF-100 because with these you can go higher and be spot-on accurate with your chlorine testing... and you need to be. Your CYA (stabilizer) is climbing fast, so that's another reason not to use anything other than regular liquid bleach as your sanitizer. If you haven't done so already, please review the chlorine/CYA chart in my link below, along with the Recommended Levels for your pool. Reply back with any questions and TFP will assist.

 

[Donldson]

Welcome to TFP!

You are going in the right direction, but unfortunately with only the DPD test you are going somewhat blindly. To get accurate FC/CC results you will need to add an FAS-DPD kit to your test, which is available HERE.

Your CYA is fine as long as you aren't adding more via pucks or some powdered "shock". If you are just using bleach for chlorination then your CYA will remain stable. With a CYA of 60 your SLAM level is 24, so you can see why your DPD test is not up to the task of allowing you to SLAM.

Once you have an FAS-DPD test then you are able to properly SLAM your pool and will be able to clear everything out nicely. Please keep in mind that the TFPC methods are designed to not damage equipment by monitoring your FC and keeping it within an acceptable range for your CYA. With what you have now you have no idea if your FC is 11 or 110.

Finally, the pH test is affected by FC over 10, so don't try adjusting your pH while your FC is that high.

 

[Texas Splash]

To emphasize the CYA and chlorine ... and while looking at the chart ... you estimate your CYA is to be about 60. If your pool is green, cloudy, or otherwise yucky, you need to follow the SLAM procedures immediately. That calls for increasing and maintaining a FC level of 24 until all 3 of the following are met: no loss of more than 1ppm of FC overnight; CC (combined chlorine) is <.5, and your water is clear. In the meantime, stock-up on bleach, review the SLAM instructions, and try to sweep, brush, or remove and debris currently in the pool. Keep your pump(s) running 24/7 as well until the SLAM method is done.

 

[kimkats]

You ARE heading in the correct direction.

Since you already purchased a Taylor K-2005 the FAS/DPD test can be bought separately to give you the equivalent of the recommended test kits.

I am having a hard time finding where to order the kits from. I will keep looking.

Have you seen this chart?

Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart

Keep it up! It will clear with time and bleach!

kim

 

[Richard320]

This is the FAS-DPD kit to turn your K-2005 into a K-2006. I'd suggest ordering the refills for it now, since you'll burn a bunch clearing the cloudiness. Also more CYA reagent. The TF100 refills are cheaper than the K-2006, they just won't necessarily fit in the blue box.

 

[LFVADALANE]

Which test kit would you recommend when I repurchase? The 2006 or 2001?

 

[tim5055]

Which test kit would you recommend when I repurchase? The 2006 or 2001?

you don't need an entire new kit, just the single FAS/DPD Richard linked in his post. The difference between the K2005 and K2006 is that one test.