Well, this forum added an element of fun and challenge to getting my horrible pool water cleared up during the fresh fill after I replaced my liner. It took 9 days, 144 oz. of iron sequestering chemical, 2 quarts of algaecide, 6 lbs. of shock at three different times, 2 gal. (and counting) acid, 12 filter cartridge cleanings and plenty of vacuuming and brushing to get the water sparkling clear and the iron from staining. I found this forum while looking for an answer re; iron sequestering chemicals. Started filling through my iron filter – 600 gal. at a time between regenerations – on Memorial Day 5/25/15, added sequestrant and algaecide as it filled, no chlorine. First shock went in to brown water 6/7/15, went to normal operation with clear water 6/16/15.
So, here are some observations I made during the trial and tribulation of filling from my iron laden well and subsequently testing and treating the water. The topic of cyanuric acid ie; “conditioner” or stabilizer” is forefront in my mind.
My seat-of-the-pants observations compared with my recent few years in the 25 years of my running this pool:
Why add any CYA at all if there’s already CYA in the Tri-Chlor I’m using? I have no desire to hand feed liquid chlorine and will continue to use the feeder with Tri-Chlor. I added enough CYA last night, 6/25, to get the level to a roughly calculated 10ppm, we’ll see what it actually is when I test for it with my new test kit in a few days. I’m reluctant to get the CYA up to 30 or so if it will continue to build with time. I’m convinced that what I’ve read on this forum about the relationship of CYA and FC and algae is absolutely true and that explains what I’ve observed these past few years. I don’t want to drain 25% of my water every year or two to get the CYA back down due to my poor quality makeup water and am willing to maybe go through a little more Tri-Chlor due to too low of CYA for the first few years.
I tried to post a before and after .jpg pic but it's "Not a valid image file". Tried a couple different sizes and formats, got the same results. Maybe the server isn't fully up yet?
So, here are some observations I made during the trial and tribulation of filling from my iron laden well and subsequently testing and treating the water. The topic of cyanuric acid ie; “conditioner” or stabilizer” is forefront in my mind.
- I bought a TF-100 test kit, got it Sat. 6/20/15 and tried all of the tests. Nice kit!
- I have not added any CYA until last night.
- I have been running the pool with Tri-Chlor tabs in my erosion feeder since 6/16/15.
- Fresh fill TA was 410ppm 6/8/15, now at 350ppm
- FC has been 4-6ppm, I took the pucks out and let it drop to this morning’s reading of 2.0
- pH has been as high as 7.8, this morning 6/25/15 is 7.5.
- No algaecide has been added since 6/15/15. No algae (or boatmen) present.
My seat-of-the-pants observations compared with my recent few years in the 25 years of my running this pool:
- It’s using less CL for this time of the year than it did the last few seasons.
- No algae or boatmen are showing up. By this time the past few seasons I would have used at least another couple of quarts of algaecide.
- Thanks to this forum, I have a renewed faith in FC to keep algae out.
Why add any CYA at all if there’s already CYA in the Tri-Chlor I’m using? I have no desire to hand feed liquid chlorine and will continue to use the feeder with Tri-Chlor. I added enough CYA last night, 6/25, to get the level to a roughly calculated 10ppm, we’ll see what it actually is when I test for it with my new test kit in a few days. I’m reluctant to get the CYA up to 30 or so if it will continue to build with time. I’m convinced that what I’ve read on this forum about the relationship of CYA and FC and algae is absolutely true and that explains what I’ve observed these past few years. I don’t want to drain 25% of my water every year or two to get the CYA back down due to my poor quality makeup water and am willing to maybe go through a little more Tri-Chlor due to too low of CYA for the first few years.
I tried to post a before and after .jpg pic but it's "Not a valid image file". Tried a couple different sizes and formats, got the same results. Maybe the server isn't fully up yet?