help with pool balancing

[jspector]

I appreciate recommendations on how best to balance my pool, with current readings:

FAC: 1
TAC: 1
Salt: 3200
pH: 7.6-7.8
CYA: 0
TA: 60

Basic question is regarding what order to add chems. I added 2 gallons of bleach but made little difference in chlorine level, so thinking that I need to raise CYA 1st...? I have also since added 14 pounds of baking soda (after getting these readings).

Also, when I opened pool for season I've got many white spots on the bottom surface, all at the deep end (around where the 2 drains are). See attached pics.

Finally, while I haven't had issues maintaining balance in past summers, my pH regularly goes up and I need to add about a gallon of muriatic acid every week to keep it down.

Thanks for all input!

 

[Texas Splash]

You appear to be opening correct? Yes, you do need to add CYA, but first question .... does the FC hold at all? If you increase the FC to about 10, does it hold relatively close after 10 minutes? If so, then yes, increase the CYA, but only to "30" for now as you'll need to increase the FC to "12" and complete a SLAM Process. I should highlight first however, that before increasing he FC to 12, make sure to lower the pH to about 7.2 as part of the SLAM preparation.

You mentioned your pH rises too fast? Then you probably should not have added baking soda. Increasing your TA can allow the pH to rise faster. For now, I'd focus on lowering the pH, see if the pool holds FC for about 10 minutes, and if it does, the yes - add stabilizer (30) and increase FC (12) and perform a SLAM until you pass all 3 criteria.

As for those spots, were any granule-type chemicals spread across the pool lately? Anything that would settle to the bottom? Perhaps some landscaping run-off (i.e. fertilizer) that may have gotten into the water?

 

[jspector]

Thanks for the quick reply. How do you recommend that I do the FC hold test - add bleach and then check chlorine level in 10 min?
As alternative to SLAM, what's your thought about 'super-chlorinate' option on my SWG?

For future reference, how do I raise TA other than with baking soda? I had thought that the pH impact would be minimal.

Regarding the spots, not sure what could've settled at bottom of pool. They don't come up by scrubbing with brush.