We put our pool in 4 years ago and have had very few problems until recently. We are building an outdoor living area close to the pool. I believe some of the dust/dirt from this has found its way into the pool and is knocking everything out of wack.
The pool is in ground, liner pool, 18,000 gallons with full sun all day. We use chlorine tabs in skimmers.
There is no smell of chlorine around, or in the pool. Chorine levels are in acceptable ranges, the water is crystal clear except for the steps. Steps are normally white but are turning light tan as if there is metal in the water. I can’t get a decent alkaline or PH reading. Alkaline test should turn blue but is no where near blue, turns light yellow immediately. Same with PH, it should be pink/red but turns light yellow immediately and doesn’t change.
I replaced the test kit to be sure I wasn’t using bad tests, but no change. I thought maybe FC was off, causing the issue but doesn’t seem so. I think my test results are pointing to low alkalinity and low PH, but I’m just not sure. Never seen this before and this is my 3rd pool.
My plan is to read through Pool School and go from there. Thinking It may be best to drain and refill some of the water, but not positive about that yet. I’ve had 3 pools but not had a serious problem with balance before so I am approaching this as if I were a beginner. I guess I am a beginner, I think I’ve just been lucky up to now and not had to deal with much, other than basic stuff!
I’ve tried raising alkalinity with baking soda but it doesn’t seem to be moving at all so I have stopped for now. In the past a little baking soda brought alkalinity up perfectly and PH right behind it. Not this time! I may just need to add more, but don’t want to risk increasing it if I’m wrong and it’s actually high, not low.
Looking forward to reading through this site and learning. I appreciate any advice you have to offer!
The pool is in ground, liner pool, 18,000 gallons with full sun all day. We use chlorine tabs in skimmers.
There is no smell of chlorine around, or in the pool. Chorine levels are in acceptable ranges, the water is crystal clear except for the steps. Steps are normally white but are turning light tan as if there is metal in the water. I can’t get a decent alkaline or PH reading. Alkaline test should turn blue but is no where near blue, turns light yellow immediately. Same with PH, it should be pink/red but turns light yellow immediately and doesn’t change.
I replaced the test kit to be sure I wasn’t using bad tests, but no change. I thought maybe FC was off, causing the issue but doesn’t seem so. I think my test results are pointing to low alkalinity and low PH, but I’m just not sure. Never seen this before and this is my 3rd pool.
My plan is to read through Pool School and go from there. Thinking It may be best to drain and refill some of the water, but not positive about that yet. I’ve had 3 pools but not had a serious problem with balance before so I am approaching this as if I were a beginner. I guess I am a beginner, I think I’ve just been lucky up to now and not had to deal with much, other than basic stuff!
I’ve tried raising alkalinity with baking soda but it doesn’t seem to be moving at all so I have stopped for now. In the past a little baking soda brought alkalinity up perfectly and PH right behind it. Not this time! I may just need to add more, but don’t want to risk increasing it if I’m wrong and it’s actually high, not low.
Looking forward to reading through this site and learning. I appreciate any advice you have to offer!
Glad to have you here.
