Im drowning and I cant get it right

[CTFocusST]

CYA can sometimes take 24 hours to show up on a test. Dose FC to level you added to and test cya again 24-48 hours after you added under bright sun to verify

128 oz cya based on poolmath Log should have brought cya to 30 assuming it was actually 0. Bring FC up to 12 and keep checking and adding FC as needed. Every 2 hours if possible but do it at rate you can manage with rest of life. Less frequent will work just slower

 

[CTFocusST]

Ignore the OTO test for chlorine it doesn't give you more than you have chlorine or not and only works up to a certain FC. Rely on the FAS-DPD

 

[ghall6292]

Bperry, if you ever figure out a way to kid-proof anything for real, patent it immediately!

I remember my wife coming home from work about 20 years ago to find our teenage son and three of his friends dismantling a V-8 engine that belonged to one of the boys, on our kitchen floor. Knowing I was due home in about an hour, she told them to "get it out of there now!" I, to this day, do not know how they did it, but by the time I got home, it was in the basement via the outdoor steps. Needless to say, I gave them 24 hours to totally remove it from our property.
When I got home the next day, all traces of it were gone.

This is only one of many stories; we raised five kids and are now raising three of our grandchildren- ALL now teenagers.

 

[IceShadow]

We store our MA in a resin / plastic deck box like this one, out by the pool:

Suncast 22 in. W X 17 in. D Brown Plastic Deck Box with Seat 22 gal Mfr# SSW600J - Ace Hardware

After the chores are done, take a moment to relax with this Small Storage Seat from Suncast. Featuring a capacity of 22 gallons and a decorative yet functional design, this stylish storage solution is ideal for either indoor or outdoor use. The high-quality resin construction is easy to maintain...

www.acehardware.com

I don't think it's very securable, though.

 

[SeanThePoolFreshman]

We store our MA in a resin / plastic deck box like this one, out by the pool:

Suncast 22 in. W X 17 in. D Brown Plastic Deck Box with Seat 22 gal Mfr# SSW600J - Ace Hardware

After the chores are done, take a moment to relax with this Small Storage Seat from Suncast. Featuring a capacity of 22 gallons and a decorative yet functional design, this stylish storage solution is ideal for either indoor or outdoor use. The high-quality resin construction is easy to maintain...

www.acehardware.com

I don't think it's very securable, though.

You have helped me a LOT, allow me to help you. Throw a L-Hasp on it and a lock.

Master Lock Bright Hardened Steel 6-1/4 in. L Fixed Staple Hasp 1 pk Mfr# 720D - Ace Hardware

The Master Lock 720D Steel Heavy Duty Hasp Latch features a 6-1/4 in. (16 cm.) long hardened steel body. Hasp latch is zinc-plated hardened steel which provides added strength and weatherability. Hasp's hardened boron alloy staple offer maximum protection against cutting and sawing. Hinged body...

www.acehardware.com

$12 and. $5 lock.... boom, secured!

 

[IceShadow]

Nice! Luckily my kids are old enough to know not to play around with chemicals (9 and 12), so I'm not too worried about it now. But it's still a good idea.

 

[jedigrover]

@SeanThePoolFreshman give the CYA some time before you test again. Just assume it is there. With how cloudy your water is, a turbidity test like that is likely to give you bad results (it will look like you have more CYA than you actually do). Wait until it clears a bit & you can see about 18" down & take a sample from there.

Just focus on Chlorine (FAS-DPD test...don't need OTO until you are all fixed up and just want to check day-to-day that you have chlorine present), and keeping pH below 7.5 so the chlorine can work better.

I would echo what others have said about storing MA outside if you can. There's a reason MA and Chlorine are kept separate and both outside or outside-ish at Home Depot. They don't want any fires.

Despite the name, muriatic acid is hydrochloric acid (the name "muriatic" is a reference to "marine acid" due to it generally being generated from brine). It is a strong acid, but the safest of the strong acids typically used in chemistry. [Side note: mixing with nitric acid yields aqua regia, a solution that can dissolve gold.]

Just be careful storing & handling. Hold your breath when pouring it out, as it it can really burn your sinuses. Don't get it on you. And remember the prime directive (see what I did there, Trekkie?) of handling acids:
"Do what you oughta, pour acid into water." Never do it the other way around. Acid reacts exothermically with water. Pouring into water dilutes the acid immediately. Pouring water into concentrated acid causes an extremely hot reaction with the small amount of water entering the large amount of acid, and can boil the water, splashing acid everywhere. You don't want that.

You're doing great! I can't wait to see it all cleaned up & see how the water slide works out.

 

[Lilypad]

Best practice with MA is to handle it once…without pouring into another container & then into pool.
Just lower the bottle into the water until it floats, tip to pour with no splash. I do the same for
chlorine. As you get more practice knowing what and how much your pool will need, you can
pretty much tell just by looking that something’s "off".


Great thread and wishing you success with your SLAM. Glad you’re here!

 

[SeanThePoolFreshman]

Captains Log, Star Date 6/7/2022:

Today has been exhaustive, yet highly productive. Life forms on this planet have suggested in various ways to complete the construction process in the equipment shed. Liquid teleportation device has been restored to operational status!!! The cascading flow of the liquid was exceptionally high and spraying over the launch tube... adjustments were made and have been reduced to a proper flow. Liquid pressure has remained stable and consistent with zero leaks from the plumbing. 2 leaks have been noted from the slide and the seals will be replaced in that section tomorrow.



(Small smell of a nauseating purple substance occurred. No injuries noted, cleanup quickly ensued!) With hose properly functioning and maintaining pressure consistently, will adjust the plumbing to a more downward direction for functional purposes and space management

Testing has been adjusted with a focus on FC, CC and CYA. Other levels are maintaining properly. CYA has leveled out at exactly 30ppm, this is an incredible step towards our progress. FC levels were safely raised to 12ppm and the CC did increase to 1 overall. Will continue to monitor as we progress through the SLAM process. After brushing it was noted through the cloudy Liquid sky (pool water and the current haze) that there are submerged organic materials resting on the bottom of the pool. Through multiple hours, 4 to be exact, of vacuuming to skimmer, emptying skimmer, continuing to vacuum, repeat.... we have removed roughly 20 skimmer baskets worth of organic contaminants within the pool.


(The silver pole in the water is a reflection, no clear visual beyond the length adjuster roughly 8 inches in the water.)

Water clarity has vastly improved from yesterday. Following the guidance of local life forms we have begun to digitally catalog water conditions to track the progress daily. During this digital catalog a new life form has been discovered (no, really! If anyone can tell me what this bug is I will make a $10 donation to TFP). This new life form appears to be insectoidal and of a mix of crustacean origin. It has the head of a shrimp, back wings of a flying insect, legs of a scorpion, tail of an ear wig and a body of a scorpion... strange. Species was contained for further identification purposes.



Final numbers of liquid hydrogen with 2 parts oxygen have been recorded and will continue to monitor daily at this point. With organic substances removed from pool hopefully numbers will regulate much easier now. Clarity will hopefully improve daily as the SLAM process works its magic!

To date:

• CC is 0.5 or lower; - UNATTAINED
• You pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
  shows a loss of 1.0 ppm or less); - UNATTAINED
• And the water is clear. - UNATTAINED

This concludes day 2 of Captains Log
***END TRANSMISSION***
***SYSTEM OFFLINE***

 

[kimkats]

If anyone can tell me what this bug is I will make a $10 donation to TFP).

That is a mole cricket. Kind of neat critters.

Yeah on the slide!!!! Fun times ahead!!!

 

[PieterS]

Pump house looks great. Not sure of the electrical cord apparently being used as a pipe hanger...

 

[SeanThePoolFreshman]

It's been a few days, super busy few days, but I feel like I am dragging my knuckles against a wall at the moment. I have been keeping the shock level at 12 and following the SLAM method to a "T". However, the Mr. T. In me is beginning to come out, haha. It's crazy hot out and can't swim in the pool. Checking pressures daily, have backwashed 2 times and rinsed, checked CYA due to the purge and add of water then adjusted levels to get back up to 30-40 range, pouring in liquid chlorine 10% to the required amount each morning, following up every 2 hours to monitor and add as needed, brushing pool every day.... The pool has definitely begun to clear up,but there is still this slight yellow hew in the non cloudy water, the cloudy water still persists but just much deeper down. I will say, the surface of the pool that can be seen has never looked so good but it is showing that it needs to be resurfaced as well. The old pool paint has begun to pull away and come lose of the wall. Found tons of paint fragments in the sand when I changed it.

Deep end, the handle is on the drain


Shallow end brush on the surface of the pool, still slightly hazey




Brush sideways to allow the eyes to adjust and see the slight yellowing hew in the water



Any suggestions or ideas? Keep SLAMming the pool since I have yet to pass any of the 3? My cc are still at .5<1. Am I doing things right and just being paranoid and impatient because we aren't swimming yet, aaaagghhhh I am going to the river tomorrow. I gotta get the kids in some water before they bury me alive.

 

[Orion7319]

Am I doing things right and just being paranoid and impatient because we aren't swimming yet

Purdy much…..

 

[Mdragger88]

If the deep end is visible- u can swim w/ fc between min & slam level for your cya

 

[Mdragger88]

Are u backwashing when pressure rises to 25% over clean pressure?
Also if u are where u can babysit the filter u can add some DE to help catch the fine stuff.
Here’s the how to

Add DE to a Sand Filter

A clean pool filter will increase the efficiency of your pool! ... your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE.

www.google.com

 

[Newdude]

You're doing great. The last bit of clearing takes the longest. Why is that you ask ? Well you are filtering, right ? But you are returning the water and mixing it too. Imagine if you were scooping that cloud with a 5 gallon bucket and replacing it with a clean 5 gallons. It would take many, MANY tries to get that last bit. That's where you're at. Sit back and be happy the pump is trying to suck the cloud up and not you.

As Mdragger just said you are plenty clear to rescue a swimmer if need be, and FC is safe for humans/equipment up to and including SLAM. Hop in.

 

[Orion7319]

You also have a sand filter. It’s going to take a good while. The DE trick really does help, but be prepared to backwash it more and then then add more DE. Just buy the 24 pound box of it. You will need it every now and again and it will last you years.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Clorox-Pool-Spa-24-lb-D-E-Pool-Filter-Aid/50333069?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-lwn-_-ggl-_-LIA_LWN_264_Pools-_-50333069-_-local-_-0-_-0&gbraid=0AAAAAD2B2W8FGoowfgw8M5rcuOFU3dOvL&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-pCVBhCFARIsAGMxhAe2IXn76g0zZ7rtQp1zKL1pACJKN-_W1ZicWQRPcg9NPKErZ_Iqb3YaAkomEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Newdude]

I need to hop back in here with some confusion on the deep end pic. Can you see the bottom well enough to rescue someone if need be, or no ? That's the clarity requirement for swimmer safety. Just want to make sure I'm seeing it right.

*edit edit edit Lol. Now I'm thinking I'm seeing it be way too cloudy. Well. When it's clear enough, hop in.

 

[SeanThePoolFreshman]

If the deep end is visible- u can swim w/ fc between min & slam level for your cya

This is actually great to know amd was a primary concern of mine in regard to when would the pool be 'swim safe' after SLAM.

Are u backwashing when pressure rises to 25% over clean pressure?
Also if u are where u can babysit the filter u can add some DE to help catch the fine stuff.
Here’s the how to

Add DE to a Sand Filter

A clean pool filter will increase the efficiency of your pool! ... your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE.

www.google.com

Pressures haven't been raising above 10% surprisingly. My pressure in a brand new sand and clean filter sits at 25psi, I am only barely creeping into the 28-30 range the last couples of days. I did backwash today just to 'help' speed things along. I was being overzealous for sure haha.
Since replacing the plumbing and sand, pressure went up by 10 once, but before the rebuild it was going up by nearly 20-25 every 2-3 days requiring a lot of backwashing and adding water. This could have been in part because of all the crazy additions I was being told to make and also the amount of organic materials that sank to the bottom that I could not see to vacuum.

You also have a sand filter. It’s going to take a good while. The DE trick really does help, but be prepared to backwash it more and then then add more DE. Just buy the 24 pound box of it. You will need it every now and again and it will last you years.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Clorox-Pool-Spa-24-lb-D-E-Pool-Filter-Aid/50333069?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-lwn-_-ggl-_-LIA_LWN_264_Pools-_-50333069-_-local-_-0-_-0&gbraid=0AAAAAD2B2W8FGoowfgw8M5rcuOFU3dOvL&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-pCVBhCFARIsAGMxhAe2IXn76g0zZ7rtQp1zKL1pACJKN-_W1ZicWQRPcg9NPKErZ_Iqb3YaAkomEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

After all of the insanity I had put into the pool from the pool store, I think I am going to be patient and let the filter runs its course for now. We are nearly there compared to where we started. In the meantime though,I will be doing my research on DE additions for sand filters and go ahead and order it in case of future need.

I need to hop back in here with some confusion on the deep end pic.

*edit edit edit Lol. Now I'm thinking I'm seeing it be way too cloudy. Well. When it's clear enough, hop in.

I have about 2.5' of cloudy still in the deep end. I can just BARELY make out the shadow of where the drain is in the deep end, but still not enough clarity to differentiate an unconscious child from a shadow.

Thank you for all the replies, can't wait to just dive in. I laughed to the wife because I said I would be the first one in after all this. She said good you can jump in to cool off while you're working (fixing some major issues with some other portions of the house and doing some remodeling). I laughed and said yep,after I get all the dirt off me with the house, "Nobody better even dare put a drop of dirt in this pool!" RAWR!!! Dirt will be inevitable but definitely thought it was funny that I am beginning to feel 'protective' over the pool water and condition now hahaha.

 

[Bperry]

This is actually great to know amd was a primary concern of mine in regard to when would the pool be 'swim safe' after SLAM.

Pressures haven't been raising above 10% surprisingly. My pressure in a brand new sand and clean filter sits at 25psi, I am only barely creeping into the 28-30 range the last couples of days. I did backwash today just to 'help' speed things along. I was being overzealous for sure haha.
Since replacing the plumbing and sand, pressure went up by 10 once, but before the rebuild it was going up by nearly 20-25 every 2-3 days requiring a lot of backwashing and adding water. This could have been in part because of all the crazy additions I was being told to make and also the amount of organic materials that sank to the bottom that I could not see to vacuum.

After all of the insanity I had put into the pool from the pool store, I think I am going to be patient and let the filter runs its course for now. We are nearly there compared to where we started. In the meantime though,I will be doing my research on DE additions for sand filters and go ahead and order it in case of future need.

I have about 2.5' of cloudy still in the deep end. I can just BARELY make out the shadow of where the drain is in the deep end, but still not enough clarity to differentiate an unconscious child from a shadow.

Thank you for all the replies, can't wait to just dive in. I laughed to the wife because I said I would be the first one in after all this. She said good you can jump in to cool off while you're working (fixing some major issues with some other portions of the house and doing some remodeling). I laughed and said yep,after I get all the dirt off me with the house, "Nobody better even dare put a drop of dirt in this pool!" RAWR!!! Dirt will be inevitable but definitely thought it was funny that I am beginning to feel 'protective' over the pool water and condition now hahaha.

I hadn’t see the note about the surface of the pool being painted. Are you sure it’s painted or is that just plaster your thinking is paint. There Are some people that do have paint over the plaster and it fails in a big mess kinda like that. Just be aware of that.

Also, your CYA is either 30 or 40. And so your slam level will be one or the other. If it’s over 30 it’s 40 and you should SLAM/chlorinate appropriately.