Prev owner messed up pool chemistry - how many gallons & where to start?

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Chellayh

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Nov 10, 2011
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Spring, TX
Prev owner messed up pool chemistry - how many gallons & where to start?

Hi all! Just moved into this house last week, have owned it for a month. Previous owner used a pool service, and we have continued it while we move in & get a handle on things. I have used BBB on my previous pools in Oklahoma, and it has been so easy! But I have never had to start repairing chemistry this bad, and this time I don't have an SWG, so I need help. I have a Taylor K-2005 with a FAS-DPD kit on order.

First of all, how many gallons is my pool? I took measurements & tried to calculate myself, but I think my number is ridiculously low - 8300 gals. Below are pics, and a diagram I drew with dimensions. The pics don't show it very well, but the seats in the hot tub have 3 levels, plus a step.









Secondly, yesterday was the first time the pool guy came since we moved in. I needed to pick his brain on my setup & I tested before he came so I could get some idea of where the chems were.

FC. 10+ High, but maybe not for my CYA; need FAS-DPD to get here!
TC. 10+
pH. 7.8. High, but false r/t high FC?
TA. 110. High
CH. 120. Low
CYA. 120. Diluted sample by half & got 60 -HIGH!!!!!!

So, the pool guy had no idea how many gallons the pool was, but showed me some things about my equipment. I told him no more tri-Chlor and that I will handle the chemistry during the week. I will let him come & brush & clean a few more times, but pretty sure he's getting the boot soon after I'm sure I don't need to pick his brain more!

So where to start on the chemistry? Drain & refill to lower CYA? I am thinking to use cal-hypo for a bit to chlorinate since I need to raise CH anyway, but how do I know if I need to add any until I get the FAS-DPD kit? Should I worry about the pH & TA yet?

Any help is much appreciated!

- - - Updated - - -

Oh yeah, forgot to put in today's numbers:
FC 10+
pH 8.0
 
I'd bet your pool volume is somewhere around 12,000 to 15,000 gallons.
Our pools are similar in dimensions and depth.

What will help you narrow down the accuracy is using pool math.
put it in as 13,000 gallons...then test your chlorine and when it
needs some, add a half gallon of 8.25%. If it raises the FC by 4ppm,
your pool is 13,000 gallons.

If that is not the case adjust the gallons and try again until the
FC raised matches the dose recommended.

And yes, first I would do a few partial drains and refills to get
the CYA in line. I'm thinking you will need to do this at least twice
to get it near 50. Just guessing. (for me this meant 2 partial drains down to the top of the light ring)

And congrats on the new dwelling! Beautiful spa and pool you have!
 
I was having trouble determining the size of my pool as well. And then I started digging through the box of manuals the previous owner left. It had manuals from the fireplaces, fridge, stove, etc...low and behold there was a section for pool equipment and one of the installer pages had the gallon size. If they left you any documentation, go through it. If you know who the builder was, maybe they could look it up for you.
 
If you do your water exchange at 6" each time it will take a huge amount of water to drop your CYA.

I would consider a greater amount each time (based on your knowledge of ground water levels in your area and keeping your plaster wet during the process) or to research the 'Tarp' method of water exchange.

If you have the surface area of your pool, you can calculate how much water 6" is, and then use ratios to see how many times you will need to do that to get a 50% reduction in CYA.

Take care.
 
I went through all the info the previous owner left yesterday. No such luck!:(

The ground water level is what I am worried about, being in the Houston area. And I don't have a tarp big enough to do the tarp method. I will check my CYA level tonight or in the morning after the new water circulates to decide my next step
 
Just based on the fact that you said the chemistry was previously messed up and that you CYA is very high and likely your FC was allowed to be below that which is required for a high CYA.

The water looks fairly clear and perhaps the SLAM will only take a day or 2, but then at least you know you are starting out with a fresh sanitized pool.
 

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