I'm in my second summer as a pool owner after purchasing a house last summer. I towed the same line as the previous owner and used Clorox Xtra Blue tabs and used basic testing strips. I didn't notice significant issues last year, but also wasn't looking as closely.
This year startup went well (as far as I know from a test strip) and the pool as been ok. I started noticing that I was getting a consistent yellow-ish algae coming around if we didn't brush the pool for 2-3 days. I went digging and found this blog and some really great information. I purchased the TF-100 kit and started using it last week.
The CYA level was beyond the 100 mark. I stopped using the chlorine tabs and began using liquid chlorine to keep my levels consistent. However, the CYA level hasn't dropped in a week. Meanwhile, my pH has remained low at around 6.8-6.9. To make matters worse, after a week long trip to Alaska we returned to find our friends didn't keep chlorine levels up. The previous owner had some calcium hypochlorite pool shock, so I used that to get levels back to normal. In the process, the alkalinity and hardness shot up and have remained high. I would use a pH increaser to offset my CYA problem, but the high hardness and alkalinity stand in my way. I reconnected a homemade 'fountain' to spray some water and increase pH, which moved it from 6.8 to 6.9 over the last 24 hours.
I guess at this stage my question is whether the CYA level will decrease if I continue to add liquid chlorine. Or, whether I need to drain the pool partially and start over with proper management of the CYA and pH. Hot mess, but I'm confident I'll get it under control know that I'm finding good sources of education. Thanks in advance for the insight.
This year startup went well (as far as I know from a test strip) and the pool as been ok. I started noticing that I was getting a consistent yellow-ish algae coming around if we didn't brush the pool for 2-3 days. I went digging and found this blog and some really great information. I purchased the TF-100 kit and started using it last week.
The CYA level was beyond the 100 mark. I stopped using the chlorine tabs and began using liquid chlorine to keep my levels consistent. However, the CYA level hasn't dropped in a week. Meanwhile, my pH has remained low at around 6.8-6.9. To make matters worse, after a week long trip to Alaska we returned to find our friends didn't keep chlorine levels up. The previous owner had some calcium hypochlorite pool shock, so I used that to get levels back to normal. In the process, the alkalinity and hardness shot up and have remained high. I would use a pH increaser to offset my CYA problem, but the high hardness and alkalinity stand in my way. I reconnected a homemade 'fountain' to spray some water and increase pH, which moved it from 6.8 to 6.9 over the last 24 hours.
I guess at this stage my question is whether the CYA level will decrease if I continue to add liquid chlorine. Or, whether I need to drain the pool partially and start over with proper management of the CYA and pH. Hot mess, but I'm confident I'll get it under control know that I'm finding good sources of education. Thanks in advance for the insight.