Help..first time water tests

[DeanP66]

Yes, that is dangerously low. It can cause damage to equipment if left like that for long periods of time. Definitely get some soda ash or washing soda (not baking soda) in there to raise it up to 7.2-7.4. By my calculations, your pool is a little over 15,000 gallons, so to bring pH up from 6.3 to 7.2 it will require around 9 pounds of soda ash or washing soda. Don't put it in all at once. Maybe put in 6 pounds and recheck ph an hour or so later. Pool stores are notorious for unreliable testing. I wouldn't trust them. However, I do trust your Taylor K2006C which needed 25 drops to get you to 7.4 so we know pH is really low.

 

[aussieta]

yes. do another 50 percent drain and refill
as you figured will help cya and ph
and you will use less chlorine doing the slam

 

[Dirt farmer]

Finally making strides! PH is 7.0 and CYA is 30. I’m assuming I need to add the recommended Borax then start a SLAM? Is the borax just sprinkled into the pool or put in the skimmer?How soon can I start the SLAM after the borax?

 

[Stump]

Please Dirt Farmer to help yourself and the ones assisting you need to read this.

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[Dirt farmer]

Finally making strides! PH is 7.0 and CYA is 30. I’m assuming I need to add the recommended Borax then start a SLAM? Is the borax just sprinkled into the pool or put in the skimmer?How soon can I start the SLAM after the borax?

 

[DeanP66]

You could add some, or just leave it alone and let it climb on its own naturally. Just go for the SLAM. Target FC 12 and check and redose it as often as possible. The more you do it, the quicker the SLAM will go.

 

[Dirt farmer]

Sure helps if I go to page 2, I see more posts pertaining to what we’ve been discussing. I’ve been to busy draining and refilling my pool to see that!! I have noticed through this process my CH has really climbed. It’s up to 650 which I wondered if it was going do that because my well water is high in minerals or should I say UDS the last time it was checked. TA has climbed to 90 as well. Thanks again for all the advice. The more I read on here and view other posts this is all starting to make sense. Kids are patiently waiting till the pool look like a pool again instead of a swamp!

 

[DeanP66]

You're on the right track, just stick with it. That high calcium hardness is unfortunate. Have you run tests on your fill water? It's always nice to know pH, TA, and CH just so you know what you're getting into whenever you add water.

 

[Dirt farmer]

As for the amount of chlorine to add to the pool to start the SLAM do I just enter the target FC to 12 on the pool math calculator and go from there with my routine FC tests and adjust accordingly?

 

[DeanP66]

Yes, test your FC and if there is any in there, put that number in the first column in pool math and put 12 in the right column. That's your target amount. Make sure to adjust the chlorine % to whatever type you are using. It will give you the amount you need to add.

 

[Dirt farmer]

Is it recommended to leave my solar cover on or off during the SLAM?

 

[aussieta]

leave the cover off to burn off the combined chlorine

 

[Dirt farmer]

Guess I need to trust the pool math calculator when I have a 0 FC and it says I only need a little over a gallon for a target of FC at 12 to start my SLAM. I’m used to dumping in a lot more than that when shocking a green pool. At the same time I’ve never monitored it the way I am now either. Just did what the pool store said and came back in a week and bought more. Will keep you posted on progress and of course if other questions come up. Thanks again to all!

 

[jasaxon]

Guess I need to trust the pool math calculator when I have a 0 FC and it says I only need a little over a gallon for a target of FC at 12 to start my SLAM. I’m used to dumping in a lot more than that when shocking a green pool. At the same time I’ve never monitored it the way I am now either. Just did what the pool store said and came back in a week and bought more. Will keep you posted on progress and of course if other questions come up. Thanks again to all!

Are you sure that your numbers in the PoolMath calc are correct? That doesn't sound like very much chlorine to be adding to get from 0 to 12 on your pool size. What is the percentage of the bleach you are adding?

 

[Dirt farmer]

12.5% is what I’m using. What tests are performed during the SLAM? Just FC and CC? How often do I check my CYA during this process since it does have an effect on the amount of chlorine added?

 

[splashpad]

12.5% is what I’m using. What tests are performed during the SLAM? Just FC and CC? How often do I check my CYA during this process since it does have an effect on the amount of chlorine added?

The CYA won't change unless you add more or drain a significant amount of water.

How often are you able to test/raise FC?

 

[Dirt farmer]

Started the SLAM @7 this morning. Checked again @1030. FC was 6 at that time. Added recommended amount to target FC 12. Will check again in 3-4 hrs.

 

[splashpad]

Started the SLAM @7 this morning. Checked again @1030. FC was 6 at that time. Added recommended amount to target FC 12. Will check again in 3-4 hrs.

Perfect!

 

[Dirt farmer]

Didn’t expect to see this kind of water 24 hrs later. Vacuumed it yesterday evening and gave the walls a good scrubbing. Vacuumed a little bit more this morning too. Pic is a bit blurry due to the wind. It states the SLAM is complete when CC is below .5 and water is clear. So going by that let my FC go to maintenance levels and continue my daily water checks?
FC-12
CC-.5

 

[MannyT]

Did it pass the OCLT test? Its the third test it has to pass.