Shocking pool question

[Marty D]

I alway had a pool but this new pool holds over 80,000 gallons of water. I been watching the pool service and learning but I took over this week. They put in about 12 -3 inch tabs a week but I don't know how much shock to use a week. I bought 2 cases of shock. They are 1 gall each. After reading, I think 1 gallon a week should do it but I don't want that green to start because then it's hard to get rid of. The water temp holds about 80 deg all summer. It may get to 84 in July. I bought 2 floaters for the 3 inch tabs and one submarine. The submarine holds 4 -3 inch tabs and sits on the bottom of pool. I know this is going to be a learning curve with the shock. It's hard to know how much because how to you test with any guide lines??

 

[JohnT]

You shouldn't need any. Shocking a pool is for solving problems, and there is no need to do so if you don't have problems. Unfortunately you will have problems if you keep using tablets.

 

[PAGirl]

Start here Pool School - Pool School ask any questions you might have. We recommend getting a quality test kit TFTestkits.net

Once you understand the basics, you can use this
https://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html to see how much to add. Be sure to put the correct gallons of water for your pool at the top.

Welcome!

 

[duraleigh]

That is a huge pool !

You will have to take maintenance of that water VERY seriously to keep up with it. Testing your water will be the beginning. Without your own test kit, you are simply guessing at what you need. Post test results (especially CYA) as soon as you get a kit.

 

[Marty D]

I have two test kits. Right now everything is spot on. Someone said not to use the 3 inch tabs? Problem s? i also took a water sample to the pool place and it's ok. Even they said to add one gallon of shock a week. Maybe due to using the 3 inch tabs. That shock is needed?

 

[JohnT]

I have two test kits. Right now everything is spot on. Someone said not to use the 3 inch tabs? Problem s?

Your CYA will rise crazy fast and you'll get to the point that your chlorine is ineffective.

 

[PAGirl]

What type of test kits are they?

 

[atttech-2]

The main reason pool places say to shock once a week is that most people don't pay attention to FC levels, they let them fall too low and end up with problems. Shocking is a lazy mans way of trying to make up for past sins, plus it makes the pool store a nice profit win/win as far as they are concerned. The other bigger issue is what others above are saying most shock and tabs contain CYA the more CYA you have the more FC you need to do the same amount of sanitation. CYA does not get consumed at the same rate as FC it stays in the water and continues to build up. Best way to stay away from all those problems is liquid chlorine aka bleach or a salt water generator. Your pool is so large if you wanted to do salt water you would likely need 2 even 3 of the largest units on the market so bleach may be your best bet.

I have a DIY chlorine injection system commonly called a Stenner system after the company that makes the most frequently used type of injection pump. If you search the forum for Stenner you will find several build threads some even buy chlorine in bulk 50 gallons at a time that may be something you want to look into it can drive the cost down especially over the cost of tabs.

 

[Patrick_B]

If this pool ever goes Green on you it will take an enormous amount of Chlorine to clear it. If the Cya gets high, you'll be in real trouble. Don't let that happen, and simply avoid it by testing regularly, using the right products, and monitoring those critical elements. Do either of your test kits provide Cya results?

 

[funandsun]

HOLY Deepend Batman! 80,000 Gallons!

Get into Pool-School NOW! read read read and get a handle on pool chemistry or that is absolutely without a doubt going to be the largest home pond anyone has ever unintentionally constructed. Not to mention the amount of $$ you will spend guessing and over reacting to things you don't understand.

Test your water yourself and stay ahead of it, it can be the best experience of your pool life, fail to take everyone's advice and I can't even imagine what a nightmare that will be.

Be concerned, be very concerned. The struggle will be what you make it.

Thankfully you have a very large support group, but just like all support groups, if you do not take the advice, you won't get much benefit out of attending.

Best of luck, everyone here is cheering your success!

 

[twodogs02]

Are you sure your pool is 80,000+ gallons? A standard in ground pool that is 24 ft x 44 ft with an average depth of 5 feet is approximately 40,000 gallons.

You have a near commercial pool size that is managed with electronics and chlorine gas most often.

EDIT:
OP signature reads 30 x 60, so it is possible.

I would seriously consider a salt water generator as chlorine gas for the homeowner is usually not an option due to the dangers of storing the tank and accidental discharge, the gas will kill you quickly by poisoning or explosion.

 

[Marty D]

I just tested. The total chlorine 3. Says ok. Free chlorine 3. Ok. The PH 7.2 ok total alkaline is 80. Ok.

 

[Marty D]

Pool is 30 x60 with two French ends. 8x3 sitting spa with a 10 ft deep end. I did not add the two French end and sitting spa. We come up with 80,000 gall min.

 

[Marty D]

HOLY Deepend Batman! 80,000 Gallons!

Get into Pool-School NOW! read read read and get a handle on pool chemistry or that is absolutely without a doubt going to be the largest home pond anyone has ever unintentionally constructed. Not to mention the amount of $$ you will spend guessing and over reacting to things you don't understand.

Test your water yourself and stay ahead of it, it can be the best experience of your pool life, fail to take everyone's advice and I can't even imagine what a nightmare that will be.

Be concerned, be very concerned. The struggle will be what you make it.

Thankfully you have a very large support group, but just like all support groups, if you do not take the advice, you won't get much benefit out of attending.

Best of luck, everyone here is cheering your success!

when the pool service opens the pool and water was green I watch them dump 4 gallons of super shock. Came back in 7 days only to add 4 more gallons and still green. They came back in 4 days to add 3 more gallon and said@@@@ do not go in pool. Your skin will fall off. Pool guy said pool holds 120,000 gallons of water. I going with 80,000 for chemical

 

[funandsun]

How many weeks did it typically take for the service to get your pool from green to clean?

 

[JohnT]

when the pool service opens the pool and water was green I watch them dump 4 gallons of super shock. Came back in 7 days only to add 4 more gallons and still green. They came back in 4 days to add 3 more gallon and said@@@@ do not go in pool. Your skin will fall off. Pool guy said pool holds 120,000 gallons of water. I going with 80,000 for chemical

4 gallons of liquid chlorine is nothing in your pool. If it holds 80,000 gallons, 4 gallons will just get you to 6ppm of chlorine. That will be consumed by algae in less than an hour. You'll be putting in 10 gallons an hour for several hours before your chlorine consumption slows down if you have algae. If your CYA were to get really high you'd need maybe 30 gallons every few hours to catch up.

 

[funandsun]

4 gallons of liquid chlorine is nothing in your pool. If it holds 80,000 gallons, 4 gallons will just get you to 6ppm of chlorine. That will be consumed by algae in less than an hour. You'll be putting in 10 gallons an hour for several hours before your chlorine consumption slows down if you have algae. If your CYA were to get really high you'd need maybe 30 gallons every few hours to catch up.

Exactly what I was thinking... I know what I went through with my lil 13k swamp... goodness AND then for them to come back the next day, let alone the next hour.. I mean can't pay them to stand there all day but that must be quite a show.

 

[Rollercoastr]

I just tested. The total chlorine 3. Says ok. Free chlorine 3. Ok. The PH 7.2 ok total alkaline is 80. Ok.

3 is "ok" for my indoor pool. If I had your pool I wouldn't be able to sleep seeing 3! We need to know CYA level asap.

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lol just realized that our drama level goes a bit high when with big pools... I hope you can hang with us Marty!

 

[Marty D]

How many weeks did it typically take for the service to get your pool from green to clean?

It took 2 weeks and mayb I was starting to see the bottom. The 3rd week is was looking good but I wouldn't want to swim in that acid water. Like the pool guy said @@ it's the filter cartridge that's doing the job. . If I had a sand filter, it would take months!!! D earth mayb a little better then sand filter. Those two filters are $350 bucks. I take them out every 30 days and clean them. I just cleaned them this morning even tho the pool service said they did them last week. Bull!!! The filter were dirty. This is why I took over. I am a pool nut!! When I had my 28,000 gallon pool the water was sparkling all the time. I know what to do just a little unsure with this 80,000 to 120,000 gallon pool. If I screw up it's going to cost a lot of $$$$ to get it right again.

- - - Updated - - -

3 is "ok" for my indoor pool. If I had your pool I wouldn't be able to sleep seeing 3! We need to know CYA level asap.

- - - Updated - - -

lol just realized that our drama level goes a bit high when with big pools... I hope you can hang with us Marty!

the free chlorine is not what your look for?

 

[Rollercoastr]

the free chlorine is not what your look for?

It is, but not by itself. Looking at only FC in a pool is like saying you put 5w- oil in your engine: something very important is missing. FC and CYA interact, so without knowing your CYA level, there's no way to know if your FC level is appropriate.