Pool novice, please help.

Jump to latest Follow Reply
T

Tatersalad78

0
Bronze Supporter
Jul 26, 2017
5
Asheboro NC
First of all thanks for the the awesome website. I am in the same boat as a lot of others I've read about. Taking water samples to the local pool store and constantly walking out on average with $100 worth of chemicals. Then we would go back and it would be something different. I was to the point of wanting to call in the dump truck and fill it in. I did what I always do when I want more information and went to Google. That's how I found TFP. Your website is awesome and full of excellent information. I've read and learned a lot, but still need some help trying to put all of this together.


I went online and bought the Taylor K-2006 test kit. Been playing around with the kit trying to get used to it. I've watched all of the Taylor videos, but I guess my chemistry is so out of whack because my experiences with the tests didn't match up with the videos, which has caused me to second guess myself. Didn't want to post anything until I felt comfortable with the test results. I think I'm there with everything except the CYA. I know it's high, but not sure I have the right number. Here are my results.


FC = .4
CC = .8
pH = 7.6
TA = 170
CH = 320
CYA = 200 ? (Had to use the the tap water test as the main test wouldn't register)(Last pool store test showed 160)


I've stopped the 3" tabs that contain CYA and have done a few minor things based on the pool math app to adjust the pH. I've added the last of the powder chlorine from the pool store. The water is blue but it appears there is algae in the pool. The pool math app recommends draining/refilling like 57% of the water. The season is almost over and doesn't seem practical to me to do that at this point. Is that correct thinking? I also read something on the site today that said that once the CYA gets above a certain level, it's not practical to try and maintain the FC.


What do I do now? Is there anything I can do to save it at this point? I have no more pool chemicals and if at all possible would like to cut the cord with the pool store. I have already been scoping out the local stores and have found some of the items I've read about (8.25% bleach, Borax, etc). Thanks.
 
Thanks for the CYA test confusion link. That makes a lot of sense and I actually tried it this evening.

Outside of draining/refilling do I have any other options? I'm still not real fond of that idea at this point. Outside of that is my only option to match the FC with my current CYA level? Seems like that would get expensive seeing the chart recommends something like an FC of 17.
 
No real options. If you want to eradicate the algae and have a clean sanitary pool, you need to lower your CYA to the 40 range. Since your dilute test shows 200, could easily take 4 drain/refills. You can only drain down to leaving 1 foot of water in your shallow end. So most likely 50% of your pool volume at a time, at most.

Sorry.

Good luck.
 
Against the grain of my moral compass I have started the process of draining the pool in an attempt to get my CYA straightened out. The thought of wasting all that water is killing me (thanks local pool stores). Anyway I digress. Time to let that go.

I have several questions about this draining process.

1. I'm using the pool pump with the filter on waste. That was working great until it got below the level of the skimmer. I'm assuming that the pool drains via the drain in the deep end as well as the skimmer. I thought I read somewhere that there is a valve that you, can cut off the skimmer part. There are two pipes coming into the pump basket. One has a valve on it. Could that be it? Not knowing I put one end of the cleaning hose in the skimmer port and the other end in the water. This fixed the air issue and it got rid of the air in the line and water started flowing much better. Is what I'm doing ok or am I going to damage anything? I've stopped for the night so if I'm hurting anything please let me know and I will stop.

2. I've only drained off about 6" so far. The pool is 16'x36'. It has a 3' shallow end which tapers off to 8’ in the deep end. I've estimated 25,000 gallons. Any advice I need to know as I go about this and the magical question is how much do I drain off? I don't want to drain off too much and then again I don't want to drain too little. This CYA test is still killing me. Couldn't they make that test a little easier. My eyes say 200. Hers say 160.

3. This is an IG with vinyl liner. Am I going to run into any issues with the liner during this process?

Now let's just hope we make it through the night without any phone calls from angry neighbors with flooded basements. LOL
 
Yes, because you have a vinyl liner. It could shift if you do a full drain. Regarding the CYA test, did you do a diluted test by mixing half pool water and half tap water and draining half before adding your cya solution to mix? Don't forget to double the results. If the diluted test is still near 100 or higher, do another diluted test.
 
Ok thanks for the confirmation on the liner. I didn't realize that. I did do the tap water test, multiple times. Going to try and drain up to that foot mark tonight. Outside of how much water to drain, does anyone have any comments or advice on items #1 and #2 from my previous post?
 
#2 That's how I drained from being pool stored. Vac hose with the head and pole in the center of the pool. Drained 2' in one shot and refilled. Got lucky and went down to 70. Worked with that and have been reducing a little each year. I am running @ CYA 30 right now. Hasn't been real sunny here in the last coupla weeks. So not losing much FC. And I can throw in some pucks to raise and when away without worrying.

You will have to do more drain and refills to get down to a manageable level.

CYA test don't stare, fill to a line and glance, if you see the dot, fill to next line, glance, until it goes away. Increments of TEN only.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply