My compost pit or Taking off the 'lazy hat'.

[Mr_Paul]

Hello Neighbors,

The kids have all graduated, and are on their own. Both owing their own homes before they turned 25, and the Mrs. still hasn't returned from that 4 hour tour (Think Gilligan's Island).
I've let things slip.. just a bit. That was until I called for an estimate to have my green pool brought back to it's glory days.

A young man arrived, eager to help, and I took him to the backyard.
He commented that at least it was a pretty shade of green. I smiled, thanking him like it was something I intentionally did all along kicking my lazy self mentally.

He asked if he could use my leaf skimmer. As he plunged it into the bottom of the pool, I could see he was struggling to bring it back to the surface.
The net was full! Full of layers of algae, leaf litter, pine needles, etc. Quite simply.. the best substrate for a Koi pond would be my guess.

His eagerness diminished rather quickly, when I asked, "Well, can you help?".
I thought it a bit rude when he answered my question while walking away from me.. towards the gate. "No sir, I can't help"

So, this past 3 day weekend.. I started on an adventure. I won't go into the disgusting/smelly details, but one full day of scooping, and another of power washing and pumping out water is all behind me, but now I'm at a point of what to do next. I've been a member here off and on for a few years, yet haven't really grabbed the reigns personally. It's time I take off the lazy hat and become one of TFP nation members.

Which comes first?
CYA or Ph adjustments?
Can I add CYA and chlorine on the same day?

Thanks, and take care of yourself neighbor!

Mr_Paul

 

[tim5055]

A SLAM Process comes next.....

I will tell you, it didn't turn green overnight and it will take time to clear. But, we can teach you how to get it sparkling and keep it that way for a lot less money than the pool store.

Not much credence is given to pool store testing around here, so no more professionals like the guy who stopped by . While you would think that a "professional" would be the best, unfortunately in most cases it is quite the opposite. Between employees who blindly trust the word of chemical sales representatives and high school kids working in the pool store for the summer you end up with poor results from their testing. But, what can you do?? We base our pool care system on accurate testing and only adding what the pool needs, when it needs it. To do that you need your own accurate test kit. Order a TF100 and at least include the XL option. That will give you what you need while you are clearing the pool, and probably enough reagents for a couple of years normal use.

While you wait for it to get delivered, you have a homework reading assignment. Start with ABCs of Water Chemistry and Turning Your Green Swamp Back into a Sparkling Oasis

 

[Mr_Paul]

Hello Tim and thanks for your reply.

Perhaps in my original post I failed to clearly mention that my pool is totally cleaned out, drained to the bottom. The pools appearance is one of a brand new pool, well except for the calcium build up on the tile. I let the pool dry completely for the past 3+ days. Only today have I just started re-filling it.

Thanks again!

 

[spinPHD]

So make sure you still order your test kit right away, that's going to be paramount to maintain a trouble free pool. In fact, you can have a pool and still wear your lazy hat once you use the suggestions here.

When your pool is filled, you will have 0 CYA so be sure to add enough to get you to 30 at first. You will probably eventually want to raise that up to 40-50, but shoot for 30 first so you don't overshoot it.

While stabilizer is getting put in pool, go ahead and add enough bleach to get your FC up to 6. You will still lose FC fast until your CYA is absorbed, but hopefully by then your test kit will be there and you can test regularly to keep FC above 2. Once chlorine is in, check PH and adjust to get it to 7.4.

 

[cfherrman]

Pretty much every bit of info you need can be searched for if you need a answer right away. The mods and experts are great for answering questions.

First off read through pool school, pool chemicals (or common household chemicals), test kits compared and get one coming, pool math.

Add your cya in socks and hang in water by a return or the fill hose, knead repeatedly.

I bet a slam will still be recommend since you might have able colonies hidden in spots and in the bottom.