Low CYA

[therealschwartz]

I just opened our outdoor pool, roughly 30,000 gallons in New York. I'm using the Taylor test kit and my CYA readings are below 30. I have a in-line chlorinator using 3" pucks. I realize my CYA is low but nervous to bring my CYA up too high knowing that it will slowly increase over time with the pucks and no way to lower other than replacing water. I only ran the 3" pucks last year, I'm not sure what the previous owner did as I added the in-line chlorinator.

Is it worth raising my CYA up or should I test it mid-year to see where I stand?

Other test results:
PH 7.5
Alk 80
Hardness 210
CYA < 30
Chlorine ~ 2 but shocked it yesterday and it's slowly increasing as the pool warms up

Thanks for your input,
Steve

 

[Texas Splash]

Hello Steve and welcome! How's the water temp? If it's still cold, you could use the tabs and hope that in a week or two the CYA makes it to 30. Or you could add granular stabilizer, maybe only 10 ppm worth for an immediate boost, but not so high you can't use tabs later if you want. As you may know, tabs are also acidic and can pull the pH and TA down too, so be mindful of that as well. Remember to always refer to the TFP FC/CYA Levels to keep the FC and CYA balanced properly.

 

[therealschwartz]

Hello Steve and welcome! How's the water temp? If it's still cold, you could use the tabs and hope that in a week or two the CYA makes it to 30. Or you could add granular stabilizer, maybe only 10 ppm worth for an immediate boost, but not so high you can't use tabs later if you want. As you may know, tabs are also acidic and can pull the pH and TA down too, so be mindful of that as well. Remember to always refer to the TFP FC/CYA Levels to keep the FC and CYA balanced properly.

Thank you. I’m at 78f right about now on my Heater Reader. I’ll buy some stabilizer and slowly add!

 

[therealschwartz]

I opened my pool on Friday. It was a mess - green, leaves and all sorts of junk at the bottom of the pool. It took all day to clean the organic material out. Upon taking the cover off, I realized that there was a massive hole in my cover that let the debris in - not to mention the company that closed my pool did not do a good job cleaning the pool before closing it.

On Friday (5/21) I used the In The Swim pool opening kit - added 4 pounds of shock along with Algaecide. On Sunday, 5/23, I added 6 more pound of shock to my pool water. I've added 10 pucks to my in-line chlorinator and set the level to max. I replaced my filter cartridges yesterday and have been running it 24/7 since Friday. The water has finally cleared up - going from a 0/10 on clarity to about an 8.5/10 this evening. I've attached photos.

I'm having trouble getting my FC levels up. My CYA (as posted in a different thread) is <30. I'm getting conditioner. My FC levels are about 1-2 PPM. Any suggestions how to get the levels up for a period of time to make sure water is safe for swimming? The water temp is about 75 after 24 hours of heating it from 55 degrees. I'm confused why so much shock wouldn't increase the FC levels. I know there was all sorts of organic material in the pool and I'm sure this is related - I've brushed and vacuumed several times. Maybe I just need more time to get levels up. I've also seen several rodents come through the pipes and find their way to the filter basket in the pump.

Photos attached of pool at opening, where it is now and my Chlorine test.

Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

You need to follow the SLAM Process. What test kit are you using?

 

[therealschwartz]

Taylor K2006 test kit. Will check out the SLAM page.

 

[mknauss]

Taylor K2006 test kit. Will check out the SLAM page.

Great. That is all you need. May need some FAS-DPD refills.

 

[therealschwartz]

Great. That is all you need. May need some FAS-DPD refills.

I see liquid chlorine is recommended - can't find that anywhere. I only have granular shock. Am I screwed?

 

[mknauss]

What kind of granular shock? Do you have an Ocean States Job Lot store near you?

 

[therealschwartz]

What kind of granular shock? Do you have an Ocean States Job Lot store near you?

Hi mknauss:

I have two types, I think essentially the same stuff:

Clorox Blue
Pooltime MAXBlue

We have a Ocean States Job Lot about 18 miles away. What from there do you recommend?

 

[Texas Splash]

I have two types, I think essentially the same stuff:

Clorox Blue
Pooltime MAXBlue

You don't want to use those products. They have copper.

 

[therealschwartz]

You don't want to use those products. They have copper.

Ugh - copper can turn the pool green? Is there a list on the forum where and what chemicals the experts are buying? This is my second season with the pool. I had a pool company open it last year. I balanced it throughout the year but never had these issues.

 

[Texas Splash]

Checkout the links below. We can always help more with specific brands if you get a pic of the label.

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

Non-Recommended Pool Chemicals

These pool chemicals should not be added to your pool. Save your money and frustration and avoid these chemicals!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[therealschwartz]

Checkout the links below. We can always help more with specific brands if you get a pic of the label.

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

Non-Recommended Pool Chemicals

These pool chemicals should not be added to your pool. Save your money and frustration and avoid these chemicals!

www.troublefreepool.com

mknauss recommended Ocean State Job Lot - do you guys like this stuff?

https://www.oceanstatejoblot.com/liquid-pool-shock-1-gal/product/97194

 

[mknauss]

mknauss recommended Ocean State Job Lot - do you guys like this stuff?

https://www.oceanstatejoblot.com/liquid-pool-shock-1-gal/product/97194

Perfect. Chlorine and water. No hidden ingredients.

 

[therealschwartz]

Perfect. Chlorine and water. No hidden ingredients.

What about this stabilizer?

https://www.oceanstatejoblot.com/aquamate-stabilizer-and-conditioner-4-lbs/product/97207

 

[mknauss]

What about this stabilizer?

https://www.oceanstatejoblot.com/aquamate-stabilizer-and-conditioner-4-lbs/product/97207

That is fine too.

 

[therealschwartz]

That is fine too.

So... how does Ocean State Job Lot have this stuff in stock? Everywhere else is totally sold out! Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[MITBeta]

OSJL rocks for pool stuff. I bought 8 gals of liquid shock and 2 lbs of cal-hypo (2 bag limit... but no limit on the liquid ) last week. We also picked up a solar cover, which are out of stock everywhere else.

 

[therealschwartz]

OSJL rocks for pool stuff. I bought 8 gals of liquid shock and 2 lbs of cal-hypo (2 bag limit... but no limit on the liquid ) last week. We also picked up a solar cover, which are out of stock everywhere else.

Unreal!
What solar cover did you end up with? I've been thinking about getting one, but I have grass around the pool. I'm sure if I pulled that off and rolled it up - it would bring a ton of junk back into the pool when putting it back on.