Hello all,
I am just starting to learn about pool chemistry and have lurked and read on the site quite a bit, but excuse my ignorance in advance.
Bought a new house with a pool a few months ago. Pool was sparkling, but not knowing much about pools, I maintained it with pucks (what the previous owner was using). I had no issues, but when on vacation, my pump went belly up and we had a bad season of dust storms and monsoon weather simultaneously. I couldn't get the pump replaced for several weeks due to demand...and I was hit with a pretty serious algae bloom.
Wanting to get serious about understanding what to do, I finally (thankfully) found this site. However, after getting a test kit from the recommended list (Taylor 2006), I found that my CYA levels were off the charts. I tried to accurately measure them, but they were at least over 200. After lurking through previous posts, I realized that drain and refill was really my only option. As its been extremely hot here in PHX, I opted for a simultaneous pump and fill exchange (my poor water bill). After pumping and filling approximately 20k gallons (from an estimated 14500-15000gal pool) I finally got my CYA into manageable territory last night, measuring twice at ~60. I checked this test several times and had my wife also run the test to confirm. I rounded up to 70 in my calculations just to be sure. Then, I followed SLAM protocol. Lowered to the PH to recommended levels and then added liquid chlorine to recommended levels, brushed, and skimmed as much as I could.
Overnight, I was happy to see a noticeable reduction of green tint and an increase in water visibility. I had lost about 40% of my FC, and went to add more when I decided to check my CYA again. This morning, the CYA levels were between 90-100. I have not added anything but liquid chlorine (10% sodium hypochlorite)...and I am confused how my CYA levels could have risen that much overnight. I have read elsewhere that CYA can leech from plaster, but it seems like most posters on this site only attribute CYA rising to tester error. While this is possible, I was continually testing and watching the CYA lower as I drained, so I am relatively confident in my readings.
My question is: should I continue the SLAM protocol and simply factor in for a higher CYA or should I stop, let the FC level drop (city asks for as neutral water as possible when pumping to sewer at high quantities) and begin the water replacement process again? I am worried if I dont understand why the CYA is rising I might get stuck wasting a ton of water.
Sorry if this question has been answered elsewhere, but I couldn't find anything definitive.
All the best and thanks in advance!
I am just starting to learn about pool chemistry and have lurked and read on the site quite a bit, but excuse my ignorance in advance.
Bought a new house with a pool a few months ago. Pool was sparkling, but not knowing much about pools, I maintained it with pucks (what the previous owner was using). I had no issues, but when on vacation, my pump went belly up and we had a bad season of dust storms and monsoon weather simultaneously. I couldn't get the pump replaced for several weeks due to demand...and I was hit with a pretty serious algae bloom.
Wanting to get serious about understanding what to do, I finally (thankfully) found this site. However, after getting a test kit from the recommended list (Taylor 2006), I found that my CYA levels were off the charts. I tried to accurately measure them, but they were at least over 200. After lurking through previous posts, I realized that drain and refill was really my only option. As its been extremely hot here in PHX, I opted for a simultaneous pump and fill exchange (my poor water bill). After pumping and filling approximately 20k gallons (from an estimated 14500-15000gal pool) I finally got my CYA into manageable territory last night, measuring twice at ~60. I checked this test several times and had my wife also run the test to confirm. I rounded up to 70 in my calculations just to be sure. Then, I followed SLAM protocol. Lowered to the PH to recommended levels and then added liquid chlorine to recommended levels, brushed, and skimmed as much as I could.
Overnight, I was happy to see a noticeable reduction of green tint and an increase in water visibility. I had lost about 40% of my FC, and went to add more when I decided to check my CYA again. This morning, the CYA levels were between 90-100. I have not added anything but liquid chlorine (10% sodium hypochlorite)...and I am confused how my CYA levels could have risen that much overnight. I have read elsewhere that CYA can leech from plaster, but it seems like most posters on this site only attribute CYA rising to tester error. While this is possible, I was continually testing and watching the CYA lower as I drained, so I am relatively confident in my readings.
My question is: should I continue the SLAM protocol and simply factor in for a higher CYA or should I stop, let the FC level drop (city asks for as neutral water as possible when pumping to sewer at high quantities) and begin the water replacement process again? I am worried if I dont understand why the CYA is rising I might get stuck wasting a ton of water.
Sorry if this question has been answered elsewhere, but I couldn't find anything definitive.
All the best and thanks in advance!