Advice on shocking a green pool & followup?

[Antlo]

Official post-slam test results:

FC = 8.5
CC = 0
pH = 7.4
TA = 90
CH = 140
CYA = 50

Seems like I'm in the clear as far as being in range, any thoughts?

 

[JJ_Tex]

Looking pretty dang good to me. Keep the chlorine in that range for some extra insurance.

How’s the water look?

 

[Newdude]

any thoughts

Just to make sure you never think about sniffing minimum. Wait. Never even think, about thinking about sniffing minimum. You'll be golden at that point. Anything else is a long term concern and we'll have all the time in the world to tweak this or that.

Play kissey face with minimum FC ??? Well then, it may be Swampville population : you.

 

[Antlo]

Looking pretty dang good to me. Keep the chlorine in that range for some extra insurance.

How’s the water look?

Looks awesome, my camera isn't doing it justice today during the overcast but clearest it's been. Will update with a photo when it's pretty

 

[Antlo]

Just to make sure you never think about sniffing minimum. Wait. Never even think, about thinking about sniffing minimum. You'll be golden at that point. Anything else is a long term concern and we'll have all the time in the world to tweak this or that.

Play kissey face with minimum FC ??? Well then it may be Swampville population : you.

Trust me, I'll never go below 8 I will be topping off FC levels before I go to bed, for peace of mind. At least now I should be able to test with the easier chlorine test in the kit!

 

[Newdude]

At least now I should be able to test with the easier chlorine test in the kit!

Me and JJ panic if our block isn't orange. It's sooooooooo not precise, my last 3 refills have gone orange between 8.5 and 11. But you know what? Orange is 'enough FC for today', no matter how you slice it. If it's enough for tomorrow and the next day too, well, we'll get there eventually and it won't go to waste.

 

[Antlo]

Me and JJ panic if our block isn't orange. It's sooooooooo not precise, my last 3 refills have gone orange between 8.5 and 11. But you know what? Orange is 'enough FC for today', no matter how you slice it. If it's enough for tomorrow and the next day too, well, we'll get there eventually and it won't go to waste.

Yeah, the colors are pretty close together. Hard to differentiate 7.5 and 10 on the color block. But I suppose it'll do until I order more R-0871 or whatever the titrating drops are

 

[Antlo]

Photo update:


The pool house ends up blocking half the pool with shade around this time of day, but you get the idea. All thanks to the super helpful folks here!

 

[Antlo]

Back for some advice regarding pH test:

But first, Pool's still running crystal clear, thanks to everyone's help! Here's an update photo:


Now, I've been running the simpler chlorine test (the one that goes up to 10 in the Taylor kit) just to make sure I'm above 8 or at least within range each day. It's a little hard to interpret but I think I've gotten it down. I just used up the last of my R-0871 FAS/DPD reagent to confirm my reading of the color test. Exact FC is 8.5ppm (right where I want it ), out of curiosity how would you interpret the color in the photo below?

I've got some more R-0871 coming in the mail so I won't need to rely on the simple test if anything gets out of hand. I am however curious about the interpretation of the pH level in this photo?



Is this dead on 8.0? Just looks like a very vibrant pink that doesn't necessarily match any of the colors on the pH side, I guess 8.0 would be the closest. & It seems like the Cl level was pretty accurate, as I would put that color somewhere between 7.5-10, no?

edit: not sure if you'd rather this be in a new thread or to continue this one, so I just posted here!

 

[Newdude]

edit: not sure if you'd rather this be in a new thread or to continue this one, so I just posted here

Everyone who was in your shoes to start, will be here too eventually. IMO it's good for continuity for any future readers.

I'd go with 7.9 or 8 Ph. Your call if you dose now or give it a while longer.

I don't trust the block FC test other than to tell me I have chlorine in there. It's probably above 5 and probably lower than 10. Lol.

 

[Antlo]

Everyone who was in your shoes to start, will be here too eventually. IMO it's good for continuity for any future readers.

I'd go with 7.9 or 8 Ph. Your call if you dose now or give it a while longer.

I don't trust the block FC test other than to tell me I have chlorine in there. It's probably above 5 and probably lower than 10. Lol.

At what point will it be necessary to address the pH? And by dose, I suppose you mean with Muriatic acid? Is this a liquid or powder chemical? I'll have to find some.

 

[Newdude]

At what point will it be necessary to address the pH?

At 8+ Ph. It's close now if it's not there already which is why it's your choice to dose now or give it a day or three and see if it decisively shows you it's time.

I suppose you mean with Muriatic acid?

Yes. Per PoolMath

Add the liquid MA by putting the jug in or partially or just above the water so the stream doesn't splash. I poured waist high like a clown for years.

Make a pencil sized stream in front of a return and eyeball the fraction of the jug you need. Close enough is close enough.

Brush well after.

Ace Hardware has 31% full strength for $9.99. Pool stores may have a fair price as well.

 

[Antlo]

At 8+ Ph. It's close now if it's not there already which is why it's your choice to dose now or give it a day or three and see if it decisively shows you it's time.



Yes. Per PoolMath

Add the liquid MA by putting the jug in or partially or just above the water so the stream doesn't splash. I poured waist high like a clown for years.

Make a pencil sized stream in front of a return and eyeball the fraction of the jug you need. Close enough is close enough.

Brush well after.

Ace Hardware has 31% full strength for $9.99. Pool stores may have a fair price as well.

Gotcha. I see it in stock 13 minutes away. PoolMath says 18oz would lower it to 7.6 from 8.0. I'll pick some up after work in the next day or two and add it.

Does a pool above 8 pH become unsafe to swim in, or what is the concern with out of range pH? Just curious.

 

[Newdude]

Does a pool above 8 pH become unsafe to swim in, or what is the concern with out of range pH? Just curious.

Little eyes might get stingy. It'll be no worse than any non TFP they've ever been in.

Most of us vinyl folks pay very little attention to Ph once we prove it will stay near 8 one way or the other. As you manage it for now, the TA will slowly come down a little and the Ph rise will all but stop for you. Then you're golden from there on out.

 

[Antlo]

Alright, so after the past two month's of crazy power bills for the pool house, I have ordered replacement stops for the timer dial connected to the pool pump.

It's been running 24/7 since we opened late April, so planning to test and see if running it less lowers the power bill. Previous tenants warned that running it less makes the water cloudier, but I'm guessing that was more of a chemistry problem on their end.

Any recommendations for timer settings? Was thinking of just simply running it 12hr during day and off 12hr at night. Any downsides?

 

[mknauss]

Any recommendations for timer settings? Was thinking of just simply running it 12hr during day and off 12hr at night. Any downsides?

Start there. May be able to go less hours on if skimming the surface is not a big issue.

Be sure to add your chemicals during the pump run time. Have the pump run a good hour or so after you add.