Hello all,
I have owned a pool for 8 years in North Eastern, KS and with the help of my father (owned the home/pool previously) we have kept it going reasonably well. A recurring issue every year when we open the pool is CYA levels off the chart requiring the draining of water replenished with fresh water. Took my water to be sampled at the local pool store and have the following numbers. I have poked around a bit and understand you guys/gals don't trust these local pool stores and for good reason. I plan on ordering a TF-100 test kit and challenging the numbers below myself.
FC: 14.88
TC: 15
PH: 6.3
TA: 0 (Total Alkalinity has been adjusted due to the effect of CYA on tested Total Alkalinity)
CH: 174
CYA: 169 - ouch-
Iron: 0
Cooper: .7
Phosphates: 926
TDS: 1150
I plan to do the following: Drain as much as I can (without damaging pool) and introduce fresh water. If I am understanding the problem, the chlorinator tablets made up with Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione is made up of a large % of CYA. CYA's job is to protect the chlorine from UV rays transforming it into gas and therefore not staying in the water and killing bacteria. A couple of years back I had an automatic pool cover installed that eliminates direct UV exposure unless I am cleaning the pool or swimming in it. On top of the tablets I was using a Sams Club "members mark" brand of chlorinating shock bags that had a high concentration of CYA.
Moving forward after draining and getting CYA back on track, what is a good regular maintenance system to keep the water where it should be?:
Never use chlorinating tablets ever again to avoid rebuilding up CYA?
Use non stabilized chlorine shock to maintain chlorine levels? If so, how often knowing I have a pool cover?
I appreciate your suggestions and apologize if this is in the wrong section.
I have owned a pool for 8 years in North Eastern, KS and with the help of my father (owned the home/pool previously) we have kept it going reasonably well. A recurring issue every year when we open the pool is CYA levels off the chart requiring the draining of water replenished with fresh water. Took my water to be sampled at the local pool store and have the following numbers. I have poked around a bit and understand you guys/gals don't trust these local pool stores and for good reason. I plan on ordering a TF-100 test kit and challenging the numbers below myself.
FC: 14.88
TC: 15
PH: 6.3
TA: 0 (Total Alkalinity has been adjusted due to the effect of CYA on tested Total Alkalinity)
CH: 174
CYA: 169 - ouch-
Iron: 0
Cooper: .7
Phosphates: 926
TDS: 1150
I plan to do the following: Drain as much as I can (without damaging pool) and introduce fresh water. If I am understanding the problem, the chlorinator tablets made up with Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione is made up of a large % of CYA. CYA's job is to protect the chlorine from UV rays transforming it into gas and therefore not staying in the water and killing bacteria. A couple of years back I had an automatic pool cover installed that eliminates direct UV exposure unless I am cleaning the pool or swimming in it. On top of the tablets I was using a Sams Club "members mark" brand of chlorinating shock bags that had a high concentration of CYA.
Moving forward after draining and getting CYA back on track, what is a good regular maintenance system to keep the water where it should be?:
Never use chlorinating tablets ever again to avoid rebuilding up CYA?
Use non stabilized chlorine shock to maintain chlorine levels? If so, how often knowing I have a pool cover?
I appreciate your suggestions and apologize if this is in the wrong section.