Fired pool guy - now what!?!?

[NorCalDad]

Hello Everyone,
I have been lurking on this forum for a while and have decided to take a stab at doing my own pool chemical balance.
Pool guy was using pucks and adding liquid chlorine once a week. It’s only been a week on my own and noticed a little algae on the sunny side wall of pool. I checked chlorine level and it was extremely low so I added a couple gallons of liquid chlorine and brushed pool really well and ran pump overnight.
I tested water today and here are my readings.
9 F/C
.6 C/C
8.0 PH
50 CYA
100 CH
Water temp is 80 degrees

I have a couple questions.
Will the C/C drop in another day or so?
Also Calcium Hardness is really low and wondering the safest way to raise it slowly?

Thank you!
Steve

 

[mknauss]

If you have algae, you need to follow the SLAM Process

Can you fill out your signature? The CH may be low if this is a gunite pool.

 

[ajw22]

What test kit do you have?

You may find this helpful ...

DIY Pool Care: The Benefits of Taking Charge of Your Pool Maintenance - Further Reading

(Redirected from Phasing out the Pool Guy)

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[NorCalDad]

I’m using a Taylor k2006c test kit

 

[ajw22]

I’m using a Taylor k2006c test kit

What type of pool do you have?

As Marty requested, please put these and other details of your pool in your signature. It helps us help you better.

 

[NorCalDad]

24k plaster pool
I have updated my signature so hopefully all info is updated now.
Thank you!

 

[Divin Dave]

NorCalDad,

With a CYA of 50 , your Shock FC Level is 40% of your CYA. So, FC needs to be raised to 20ppm
Once raised, to 20, you need run the pump 24/7 and you need to Keep FC At 20. This means testing and adding clhorine multiple times a day. The more diligent you are, the quicker it will be finished.

Before you start, bring down teh pH to teh low 7s. 7.2 would be optimal. Dont test for anything except FC during the slam. All the rest of it is meaningless until the slam is finished.

When the following things are met, you can consider the slam finished.
1. There is no visible algae and the water is perfectly clear. Not almost clear, not pretty clear but perfectly clear. This is where people go wrong and they stop slamming too soon.
2. The CC is .5 or less
3. You pass the OCLT - Overnight Chlorine Loss Test.

Hit it and hit it hard, and it will go by quick.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. You need to brush the pool at least once a day to get the algae out into the water column to the FC can attack it from all sides.

good luck!

 

[NorCalDad]

Thank you so much for the advice!
Do you think I should add chlorine 1 gallon at a time?

 

[NorCalDad]

Also, any recommendations for dry acid to bring PH down?

 

[ajw22]

Do you think I should add chlorine 1 gallon at a time?

Add whatever PoolMath says your water needs.

Add chlorine and acid 30 minutes apart.

Also, any recommendations for dry acid to bring PH down?

We don't recommend using dry acid in pools. Dry acid contains sulfates which accumulate int he water.

Muriatic acid is better for your water and wallet.

 

[TBSNPS]

Nor Cal DAD, FYI last monday I purchased chlorine at the WalMart in Roseville for $4 for 2 gallons, they are blowing it out at all their stores, The one on Auburn Blvd also had it, It is the 10% .

 

[NorCalDad]

Nor Cal DAD, FYI last monday I purchased chlorine at the WalMart in Roseville for $4 for 2 gallons, they are blowing it out at all their stores, The one on Auburn Blvd also had it, It is the 10% .

I just bought 12 boxes yesterday at the Auburn store. Thanks for the tip though!

 

[NorCalDad]

Add whatever PoolMath says your water needs.

Add chlorine and acid 30 minutes apart.



We don't recommend using dry acid in pools. Dry acid contains sulfates which accumulate int he water.

Muriatic acid is better for your water and wallet.

Okay - thanks

 

[mguzzy]

Same $4/2Gal price in Orangevale too... Happy SLAMing!