First water tests

[PoolPadawan]

Long-time swimmer, first-day pool caretaker.

Water has not been tested in 3 years. No chemicals have been added for close to a year. Tested with a TF-Pro Kit

CL - none (because of this, I did not do FC, CC, or CYA)
pH - 8.2 (but seemed clear it's probably higher than that)
CH - 800+
Alkalinity - 90

Does the CH level mean I have to drain (2/3ish) and replace, or does the fact that I have no chlorine in the water at all mean I should first put the recommended amount of liquid chlorine in and then retest everything?

THANKS!

 

[mknauss]

With that CH level, best to drain a substantial amount. What is the CH of your fill water?

 

[PoolPadawan]

With that CH level, best to drain a substantial amount. What is the CH of your fill water?

Turns blue w/ one drop

 

[mknauss]

So very soft -- how in the world did you get 800 ppm CH in the pool????

 

[PoolPadawan]

So very soft -- how in the world did you get 800 ppm CH in the pool???

Your guess is as good as mine! Given that it has seen plenty of both snow and rain in the last year, it was very surprising to me as well. I took my sample from at least a foot deep and have confidence in my chemistry/testing skills... but maybe worth a retest to be sure?

 

[cwswifty]

Any chance someone extensively used Cal-Hypo in the pool before you came along?

 

[PoolPadawan]

Yes. If I were to venture a guess, that is the only thing that was ever used... and if not, is was used more than anything else.

 

[cwswifty]

When using cal-hypo, for every 10ppm of added FC it also adds 7ppm CH.

 

[PoolPadawan]

The last time it would have been added was around a year ago, though - it's at least an explanation that matches the crazy level - and I suppose there would be nothing to counteract it if nothing else was done to the pool, right?

 

[cwswifty]

Based on what's been mentioned I can't come up with another explanation.

 

[PoolPadawan]

Based on what's been mentioned I can't come up with another explanation.

I've got the pump ready and will be removing a good 17,000 gallons of water over the next day or so... then I'll get any remaining debris out and refill... will removing/replacing that much water eliminate the need to SLAM, or should I still expect that to be the likely next step?

 

[cwswifty]

You will only need to SLAM if you fail any of the 3 criteria mentioned here:
SLAM Process

 

[PoolPadawan]

That's actually the guidance that's been confusing me all along... the pool is green, so I've been assuming algae is a yes (and with no chlorine, FC and CC, nothing to test there). But now that I'm thinking about it - the lack of chlorine, high pH, filter not running for a while, pollen, etc - that could actually be causing the green color w/o there necessarily being algae, I suppose. So here's my last question for today - once drained, I'll be able to tell for sure if there's an issue w/ algae. If there isn't, then the known absence of chlorine means that I'm good to go w/o SLAM - am I thinking about that correctly?

Also - I am IMMENSELY grateful for such quick and helpful responses. Had I known this kind of support was available, I woulda taken over the pool person responsibilities 2 years ago

 

[mknauss]

You have algae. Just get it refilled, well mixed, test, and follow SLAM Process

 

[PoolPadawan]

The view out my window this morning has me in "give up" mode.

2/3 of the pool has been drained and the calcium problem is now something I can clearly see is a PROBLEM. While the remaining water is still awfully green, the exposed vinyl liner is possibly more white than blue (and no green at all).

Am I now in the pool for several days trying to spray and scrub all this calcium off the sides? Refilling doesn't seem logical at this point.

 

[mknauss]

With a vinyl liner pool you need to refill now. The liner can easily fail if you drain too far.

 

[PoolPadawan]

Refilling has started.

Is step one now going to be trying to clean/smooth the liner once it's full again? Tackling this level of calcium is an unexpected twist and I'm feeling like the location of square 1 just moved back a million miles.

 

[mknauss]

You can run a negative CSI. Lower the TA to 60-70 and with your soft water refill your CH should fall to 300 ppm or so.

CSI and LSI - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[PoolPadawan]

The pool is slowly filling back up with super soft water (learned one spigot isn't connected to the water softener in the process)... but let's hypothetically say my liner is now floating away from the sides of the pool as it's filling. Searched a bit and it seems it's 50/50 between "it might work itself out when the water settles" and "you need to start over." Any words of wisdom or advice?

(insert "what on earth have I gotten myself into?" here)

 

[mknauss]

You might have drained too far. I do not have experience with liners -- lets call in @Newdude