New pool owner. High CYA could use some help

[bryan527]

New pool owner here with a bunch of questions. The pool is a ~25,000-gallon inground pool. I went to a local pool store and followed their recommendations about two weeks ago. I think misunderstood their directions and added too many trichlor tablets (or maybe they gave me bad advice). Either way, I learned my lesson and want to do things the TFP way.

Here are my most recent test results using the TF-Pro test kit.

CYA - 120
FC - 11.5
CC - 0
PH - 6.8
TA - 80
CH - 250

I know the CYA is high so I guess I need to drain the pool? What is the easiest way to go about doing this? How much should I drain?

Also I know that my pH is low. Should I address this now or wait until after I drain the pool and fix the CYA problem?

Is the pool safe to swim in or should I stay out of it until I get everything into the correct ranges?

Thanks

 

[Texas Splash]

I think misunderstood their directions and added too many trichlor tablets (or maybe they gave me bad advice).

I'm going with #2.

I know the CYA is high so I guess I need to drain the pool?

Correct. A 50% water exchange should lower your CYA by half. Keep in mind it may actually be higher than you think, but a 50% exchange is a good start. Do you have a separate sump pump you could use? That would be the quickest and most efficient.

I know that my pH is low. Should I address this now or wait until after I drain the pool and fix the CYA problem?

Do the water exchange first.

Is the pool safe to swim in or should I stay out of it until I get everything into the correct ranges?

Not with the pH that low. Do the exchange first if you can.

 

[Texas Splash]

By the way, welcome to TFP! Be sure to visit our Pool Care Basics for all things TFP. Good job testing your own water and learning the ropes. You'll be glad you did. Don't forget to update your signature. See mine as an example.

If you have any questions let us know. Have a great weekend.

 

[bryan527]

Thanks for the reply. I do not have a sump pump. Can I use the waste setting on the multiport valve to drain the water?

 

[tikoh]

Thanks for the reply. I do not have a sump pump. Can I use the waste setting on the multiport valve to drain the water?

You can...see here for options and tips Draining - Further Reading

If you have a vinyl liner, make sure you don't take the water level too low on accident, or your liner could shift.

Like Texas Splash said, best to wait until your pH is up at least a little bit before swimming. Chances are, depending on your fill water, just the exchange might get you there.

 

[Oly]

Dilute a sample of your pool water 50/50 with your tap water and run the CYA test. Double the result to confirm your current CYA ppm. Don't wait until you have already drained 1/2 your pool and refilled that your 120ppm CYA was incorrect and you still have high CYA.

 

[V___25]

Link to CYA dilution test.
As Oly said, do this first if you already didn't before draining. You may need more than 1/2 and may want to consider exchanging water so you don't go too low with a vinyl liner

 

[bryan527]

Dilute a sample of your pool water 50/50 with your tap water and run the CYA test. Double the result to confirm your current CYA ppm. Don't wait until you have already drained 1/2 your pool and refilled that your 120ppm CYA was incorrect and you still have high CYA.

Ok yeah I already did this. The results with the diluted water were around 60 so I doubled that and got 120 for the CYA.

You can...see here for options and tips Draining - Further Reading

If you have a vinyl liner, make sure you don't take the water level too low on accident, or your liner could shift.

Like Texas Splash said, best to wait until your pH is up at least a little bit before swimming. Chances are, depending on your fill water, just the exchange might get you there.

Thanks for the link. I am going to read that now.