I am a first-time poster here on TFP and a relatively new pool owner (less than 2 years). I emptied the 20K-gal IG plaster pool completely in March of last year and have been able to coast for a good while on that. At some point between then and now, the Pool Store suggested a second floater to keep chlorine up, and up until recently I had been living blissfully ignorant, dropping tab after tab of trichlor (thanks, jblizzle) into them. And now here I am.
Approximately 8 days ago I noticed slight change in color of the water (a hint of green) towards the end of the day. Multiple pool stores said everything looks fine. I order a test kit (wrong one, don't know it yet). I start researching and find TFP. I read Pool School articles and try to learn my ABCs. I remove tabs and switch to liquid chlorine. I order another test kit (Taylor K-2006). About 3-4 days ago the water began turning more teal and cloudy. The bottom of the deep end was always visible, but things were trending in the wrong direction. My test kit had not arrived yet but I figured from reading on here my CYA levels were likely through the roof and I would need to add a good bit of liquid chlorine. That's what I did: 4.5 gal of 10% evening of 7/4, additional 1 gal of 10% evening of 7/5, no chlorine added evening of 7/6.
Current situation: This morning the pool is clear, as good as it has looked in more than a week and a half. The color is good, too, quite blue (maybe the faintest hint of teal depending on the angle). My Taylor test kit arrived last night. Here are my numbers (this is my first attempt with this test kit):
FC - 28 (holding steady from my first FC test attempt from prior evening)
CC - 0.5-1 (was almost clear after 1 drop)
pH - 7.6
TA - 150
CH - 575
CYA - well off the readable range (100+) on Taylor K-2006
From what I have read here, my CYA is too high for SLAM. A drain/refill would be the next step. But I'm in Phoenix with a plaster pool and now is not the time for a drain. I have seen the suggestion to exchange water with a low-volume pump, perhaps by filling from one end of the pool while draining from the other. I'm game to try that if that is my best way forward.
I am grateful that I found this site and have been amazed by how generous users are with their knowledge. Thanks in advance for any advice/guidance.
Approximately 8 days ago I noticed slight change in color of the water (a hint of green) towards the end of the day. Multiple pool stores said everything looks fine. I order a test kit (wrong one, don't know it yet). I start researching and find TFP. I read Pool School articles and try to learn my ABCs. I remove tabs and switch to liquid chlorine. I order another test kit (Taylor K-2006). About 3-4 days ago the water began turning more teal and cloudy. The bottom of the deep end was always visible, but things were trending in the wrong direction. My test kit had not arrived yet but I figured from reading on here my CYA levels were likely through the roof and I would need to add a good bit of liquid chlorine. That's what I did: 4.5 gal of 10% evening of 7/4, additional 1 gal of 10% evening of 7/5, no chlorine added evening of 7/6.
Current situation: This morning the pool is clear, as good as it has looked in more than a week and a half. The color is good, too, quite blue (maybe the faintest hint of teal depending on the angle). My Taylor test kit arrived last night. Here are my numbers (this is my first attempt with this test kit):
FC - 28 (holding steady from my first FC test attempt from prior evening)
CC - 0.5-1 (was almost clear after 1 drop)
pH - 7.6
TA - 150
CH - 575
CYA - well off the readable range (100+) on Taylor K-2006
From what I have read here, my CYA is too high for SLAM. A drain/refill would be the next step. But I'm in Phoenix with a plaster pool and now is not the time for a drain. I have seen the suggestion to exchange water with a low-volume pump, perhaps by filling from one end of the pool while draining from the other. I'm game to try that if that is my best way forward.
I am grateful that I found this site and have been amazed by how generous users are with their knowledge. Thanks in advance for any advice/guidance.
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