Hello, I need Help!

[Tblackmon13]

Hello everyone, I am brand new to this forum and am needing some help. Any advice is greatly appreciated as I see I have fallen to some of the usual issues.

I decided to start taking care of my pool myself after 7 years. My travel has slowed down and figured I need to stop being lazy. Of course, I went to local pool store. My numbers, according to them are completely out of wack. My old pool service never tested the water just shock and chlorine tabs. I drained half my pool and got the numbers back in place just to lose them a week later. I have spent a ton of money in chemicals in less than 2 weeks. First, I understand I need a good test kit. Can you give me advice on which one to purchase. I have a 17,500 gallon pebble type in ground pool w/spa. My system is automated. My numbers this week (from pool store) are as follows:
FC: 1.11
TC: 1.11
pH: 8
TA: 71
CH: 110
CYA: 101

they want me to drain pool again. I simply can’t afford to keep draining the pool. Water is very expensive in TX. Is there any solution?

Thanks for the Help!
Todd

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! Most definitely get the TF-100 test kit - link in my signature. A back-up would be teh Taylor K-2006C, but the TF-100 is best. Don't try to do too much right now based on the store testing. I don't doubt the CYA may be too high, but let's not speculate. Wait for your own proper test kit THEN post those numbers. For now, I would just do two things:
1. Lower the pH to about 7.5.
2. Add about 1/2 - 3/4 gallon of liquid chlorine each day. Walmart's Pool Essentials is popular, or you can grab some liquid chlorine from Homes Depot.

Read the link below to get an understanding of how to manage your water and levels. Also be sure to sign up for the PoolMath APP and update your APP profile. It will help you a lot. Last thing, update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. It will help us later.

We'll get you through this. Let us know when you get your test kit. Then everything will make sense.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Tblackmon13]

Thank you Texas Splash! Should I buy the extras on the kit? I will order this morning. I just got out of the hospital for two weeks from a reaction to the COVID vaccine so I’m still getting myself back together here.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum.
The most important extra is the SmartStir/SpeedStir. That makes testing much easier. No other items are necessary to effectively test your water chemistry.

 

[Tblackmon13]

Welcome to the forum.
The most important extra is the SmartStir/SpeedStir. That makes testing much easier. No other items are necessary to effectively test your water chemistry.

Thank you for the info!

 

[Tblackmon13]

Welcome to TFP! Most definitely get the TF-100 test kit - link in my signature. A back-up would be teh Taylor K-2006C, but the TF-100 is best. Don't try to do too much right now based on the store testing. I don't doubt the CYA may be too high, but let's not speculate. Wait for your own proper test kit THEN post those numbers. For now, I would just do two things:
1. Lower the pH to about 7.5.
2. Add about 1/2 - 3/4 gallon of liquid chlorine each day. Walmart's Pool Essentials is popular, or you can grab some liquid chlorine from Homes Depot.

Read the link below to get an understanding of how to manage your water and levels. Also be sure to sign up for the PoolMath APP and update your APP profile. It will help you a lot. Last thing, update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. It will help us later.

We'll get you through this. Let us know when you get your test kit. Then everything will make sense.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

Ok, I purchased my kit and started using the Liquid Chlorine. To lower my pH I read to use Muriatic Acid correct? How much of this should I use at this point?

 

[mknauss]

To lower my pH I read to use Muriatic Acid correct? How much of this should I use at this point?

The pH from the pool store is OK to use. They should have been able to get that right.
Lower your pH to 7.6 using muriatic acid. Use PoolMath for how much.
In your pool volume, with a 70 ppm TA, and using 31.45% acid, you need 13 oz.

 

[Tblackmon13]

Ok, so I got the pool math app but for some reason I can not get past the first part of establishing my pool? I enter in the particulars but it will not allow me to advance. I also made it shareable.

 

[Tblackmon13]

Ok, figured it out. Had to enter zip manually.

 

[mknauss]

 

[Tblackmon13]

Nice video

 

[Tblackmon13]

Nice video

Ok guys, like I said above, I have order the test kit and and adding the half gallon of liquid Chlorine everyday until the kit comes in so I can test. Water looks good with no algae but I know that doesn’t mean it’s right. Question is while I’m waiting on test kit is it a good time to clean the filters? It’s been several months and is probably past due. I just want to keep this thing in order here and not mess it up.

 

[mknauss]

Clean your filter when the pressure rises by 25% over clean pressure.

 

[Tblackmon13]

Sorry, I don’t know what that means?

 

[mknauss]

The last time you cleaned your filter, what was the pressure right after? If 10 psi, then when it gets to 12-13 psi, time to clean it.

If you do not know what the clean pressure was, then clean the filters, and record what the clean pressure is for next time.

 

[Tblackmon13]

Copy that. I didn’t record so now I know. Thank you!

 

[Tblackmon13]

So I got my test kit in and to begin with I ordered the Speedstir and opened it to insert batteries and there is no tray built in for batteries so guess I will return it.
I did the pH test and it was pink off the charts I would say 8.5.
The CI was very bright yellow probably a little over 5.
The chlorine drop test took 21 drops and my numbers came back a whooping 10.5
Calcium Hardness Test took 20 drops and my numbers came back at 500.
Total Alkalinity Test took 18 drops and numbers came back at 180.
On the CYA Test it came back at 90.

I guess my pool is totally out of wack. What do I need to do? Thank you for the help!

 

[Tblackmon13]

Ok, so I went through all the tests and typed them out and even included pics and when I hit post reply it disappeared. So I guess my question is what tests do y’all need to help me? Every test was completely off the charts. I tried posting results in pool math but they don’t seem to be taking. I will have to retest but really every result comes back way over. And to top it off the Speed stir I ordered does not even have the slot for the batteries (pic included). I am so frustrated with all this right now.

 

[mknauss]

With a CYA of 90, it would be best to drain/exchange about 30-40% of your pool water with fresh. Goal would be about 50 ppm CYA.

Read Draining - Further Reading

 

[Tblackmon13]

Yeah, was hoping not to do that with these water prices but doesn’t look like I have an option. I did it last month and was in the zone according to the pool store but the next week they said I needed to drain again. Very frustrated at this point. Really don’t have a clue what I’m doing here. Last time I used water hoses and syphoned the water out. Is it ok to do it that way? I don’t have a sump-pump. I was also told to brush the pebble tech about five times. Is this correct? I just want to do it right this time because I can’t afford to keep doing this. Thanks!