I just bought a 15' round above ground pool. I filled it and let the kids swim about 4 days. It started getting cloudy. I tested, it had chlorine 0, ph 0, hardness 0, cya 0, all 80. I added bleach next day FC 2 ppm but cya 0. I added stablizer and 3 more cups of bleach. Next day FC 1ppm cya 20. Then I researched and added 4 lb of borax. Now as of yesterday FC .5-1, PH 8.2, alk 70, hardness 40 cya 70 -90. Now I'm draining a portion of the pool and refilling as I researched to do. I'm really flustrated. I've never owned a pool. Any suggestions on what to do once I 1/2 drain and refill?
Pool chemistry
- Thread starter Lisakay
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 58,660
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Welcome to the forum!
I assume your pool volume is about 4000 gallons? You can either treat your pool as 'permanent', and need an extensive test kit, or, Seasonal. Read Guide for Seasonal/Temporary Pools - Trouble Free Pool
Some YouTube videos to start with if you might be interested - Trouble Free Pool - YouTube
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Pool School eBook.
I assume your pool volume is about 4000 gallons? You can either treat your pool as 'permanent', and need an extensive test kit, or, Seasonal. Read Guide for Seasonal/Temporary Pools - Trouble Free Pool
Some YouTube videos to start with if you might be interested - Trouble Free Pool - YouTube
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Pool School eBook.
Bestway steel pro max. Above ground 15' X 48" round vinyl pool. Interred pump, flow 1,000 gal HR.
I drained 1/3 of the pool and refilled. My test today FC 1-2, PH 8.2, ALK 60, hardness 20, CYA 70.
I need to lower PH without effecting Alk.
Any suggestions
I drained 1/3 of the pool and refilled. My test today FC 1-2, PH 8.2, ALK 60, hardness 20, CYA 70.
I need to lower PH without effecting Alk.
Any suggestions
- May 3, 2014
- 58,660
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
- May 3, 2014
- 58,660
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
OK -- the test kit is fine. The strips are not.
Are the results you show from the kit?
Are the results you show from the kit?
Yes from the kit. I bought it yesterday. The cya test is a bit hard to predict but I tested it 2xtoday to confirm. The strips are to unclear. I was only using strips in the beginning. That's what messed me up I think.
I have read the seasonal link. I need to get muratic acid to lower my ph then add bleach to raise free chlorine. If I can get it balanced today how long should I wait before my son can swim?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,660
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
As long as pH is in the 7's and FC is above minimum and below SLAM level based on your CYA, go swimming.
You really should drain half of the water and lower your CYA to 40 ppm, then do not add any CYA containing products. That includes trichlor tablets and dichlor powder.
You really should drain half of the water and lower your CYA to 40 ppm, then do not add any CYA containing products. That includes trichlor tablets and dichlor powder.
Ok thanks. After looking at the muratic acid I'm not wanting to mess with that. I'll drain and refill
- May 3, 2014
- 58,660
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You will still need to address rising pH eventually. With a vinyl pool and no SWCG you can use dry acid aka sodium bisulfate aka pH down.
I 1/2 drained my pool and refilled (15' X 48" round, above ground, vinyl) today. Tested and FC 0, PH is still high 8.2, ALK 50, hardness 0 and cya 50. What would be best to use to lower PH at this point?
muriatic acid: Recommended Pool Chemicals
Also you should raise the FC up above the minimum for your CYA (see FC/CYA Levels) before worrying about the pH.
Please put your pool and equipment details in your signature
Also you should raise the FC up above the minimum for your CYA (see FC/CYA Levels) before worrying about the pH.
Please put your pool and equipment details in your signature
I bought "clorox PH down" to bring my PH reading of 8.2 down to normal range. My pool is above ground seasonal pool 4000 gallons. Directions on PH down says is my ph is 7.9 to 8.0 to add 12oz for a 10,000 gallon pool. Breaking that down for a 4000 gal pool I think needs to be 4.8 oz. I may need to add a bit more after the first check as my ph is 8.2. Would dissolving it in a bucket of water first then pouring it in be the best way to administer?
Use PoolMath to calculate your dosages.
Read the "recommended pool chemicals" article in Pool School for hope we recommended adding chemicals.
And like I said before, adding chlorine is more important.
Read the "recommended pool chemicals" article in Pool School for hope we recommended adding chemicals.
And like I said before, adding chlorine is more important.
I added bleach last night per pool math calculation. Total FC was 5ppm this am so I added 3.7 oz of ph down per pool math calculation @7:30am. I went to work, tested again at 640 pm tonight FC .5 -1, PH 8.2 or 8.3, ALK 50, Th 20 and CYA 40.
I entered #s into pool math. It said to add 29oz of bleach which I did and 3.7 oz by volume of PH down (how long after adding bleach can i add PH down?). ?
I entered #s into pool math. It said to add 29oz of bleach which I did and 3.7 oz by volume of PH down (how long after adding bleach can i add PH down?). ?
30 minutes is more than enough.
You need to raise your FC higher so it does not drop below the minimum for your CYA.
You need to raise your FC higher so it does not drop below the minimum for your CYA.
My FC is 5 now. I'm going to add ph down per pool math 3.7 oz by volume. Should I dissolve in 5 gal water bucket and add at return?