Help!!!

[robwcormack]

I made a pretty huge mistake. I live in eastern NC and in preparation for the Hurricane that just came through I decided I better drain my pool some. So I hooked up my pump and put it in and turned it on. That being a long process, I went inside to watch Thursday night football. Fell asleep in my recliner, and when I woke up about 2/3 of my saltwater pool had drained. I immediately hooked the hose to the house and began to refill it, but now I don't know what to do. The storm came and dropped loads of leaves in the pool which had very little salt in it due to all the drainage. Now the water is terrible and there's a slimy film on the floor of the pool where the leaves sat for a few days as this storm has passed. Today I got all the leaves out, and figured I might as well going ahead and close the pool for the winter.

My question is, should I worry about adding salt back now and getting all the chemistry right, or just get a few gallons of liquid chlorine and shock the mess out of it with the pump running til it's clear and then drain water below return and cover. Obviously I'd have to worry with all that stuff when I open in spring, but that's not a big deal. This is my first year having a pool, so I've never closed one. Is there anything else I should be concerned about in this situation?

Thanks
Rob

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum! :handshake:

Please add a signature. Read Pool School - Read This BEFORE You Post
Information in your signature will show up each time you post and it makes advice more accurate as we know what equipment we are dealing with.

I would suggest you get the pool filled and SLAM Process it prior to closing. You do not need to add salt, use liquid chlorine.

I assume you have an inground pool (see signature request above). If so, Pool School - Closing an In Ground Pool

I suggest you read Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Trouble Free Pool School book.

- - - Updated - - -

You will need a proper test kit to SLAM Process. See Pool School - Test Kits Compared. I recommend the TF100 from TFTestkits.net.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome!

 

[robwcormack]

Sorry, I just did my signature. it's above ground. I have the TF100 kit so I guess I'll learn up on the SLAM process

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!!

I agree. Get the water cleaned up with the SLAM Process process and then rebalance for the SWG.

 

[robwcormack]

So, since I still had 1/3 of the pool with proper salt water, and obviously the other 2/3 with fresh fill water, what should I shoot for on CYA to start the SLAM after my PH level is good? If I'm not adding salt until spring, do I go with the "non-saltwater" level even though 1/3 of the water is salt, or go with the "saltwater pool" level?

Thanks for the help.

 

[mknauss]

Follow the non SWCG chart. Use 30 ppm CYA. Add salt in the spring when you open.