X1088LoD said:
CYA is near 0
Alkalinity is around 40ppm
pH is around 7.2
FCl is basically 0
Total Cl is basically 0
Total Hardness is basically 0
If my understanding is correct,
1. I need to start by upping my Alkalinity to around 80 ppm.
2. Then wait about 2 hours
3. Check ph and Alkalinity levels
4. If good, start adding stabilizer to get by CYA up
5. Check ph and Alkalinity levels, adjust as needed
6. Begin to chlorinate (I have 25 lb bucket of Dichlor or I have a 4lb container of Aquachem 1" chlorinating tabs + dispenser)
7. Let chlorinate overnight
8. Test in morning and adjust
9. Then algaecide as needed (i have aquachem 20% algecide)
Am I on the right track?
Well, I disagree with Tiz a little bit - since you have the Dichlor, you can use some of it to raise your CYA too. Here's what I suggest:
1. Use Baking Soda to raise the TA to 80. This will move your PH up a little bit.
2. Wait about 30-60 minutes
3. They should be ok, but adjust with Baking Soda and Borax if necessary, wait 30 minutes test again. No reason to wait longer than that.
4. Dichlor can raise your CYA level, killing two birds with one stone.
Add 36 oz (4 1/2 cups) of Dichlor, this will raise your FC to 10 and your CYA by 8.
Test again after one hour, and use the Pool Calculator to determine how much Dichlor to raise your FC
back up to 10. Keep track of Dichlor additions. This will determine how much the CYA level is going up with each addition of Dichlor. The "effects of adding chemicals" section of the pool calc. can help you determine how much CYA is going up (or we can help-just record the amounts used).
168 oz of Dichlor, or about 10 lbs, should get your CYA to 40ish range. I would stop using the Dichlor at that point, and hopefully by then you will have a way to accurately test FC and CYA.
5., 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Test chlorine every hour until the FC begins to hold (using the 'dilution method' to read chlorine up to 10.) Until you get a better kit. (Add Dichlor hourly to keep the FC at 10, until you have reached a CYA of 40.
Then switch to bleach.) Start the testing/dosing process again in the morning, and raise it back up to shock level, testing as often as possible while maintaing shock level with dichlor/chlorine (depending on CYA level). Remember to track how much Dichlor you are adding, so you can determine your CYA level and
stop using the Dichlor when CYA is 40 -
do NOT use more than 10 lbs.
You must continue testing frequently, brushing the pool daily, holding shock level,
until the FC holds overnight. Remember, as your CYA goes up, so does your shock level, so adjust it accordingly as you go.
FC of 10 or higher will make the PH read false high. Do not attempt to adjust PH when FC is above 10.
Lastly, you don't need algaecide, its unneccesary. Do not use the tabs, save them for vacation use.
If you need clarification on any of this, just holler!