Stubborn Pool!

[dmgarza21]

I’m needing some help before I surrender to this pool! Since the epic winter freeze and crazy south Texas rain we have been unsuccessful at clearing it up. I have added algicide, granular chlorine, shock, and chlorine tablets. It simply won’t budge. We do have a perma salt system but I’m not sure if it even works.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! No doubt you have algae. Two things I see right away:
1 - Test strips are horrible. You need a reliable test kit, either a TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C. That's a must.
2 - All those other products you added will do nothing. You need to follow the SLAM Process.

The link below is also a great resource for info. Let us know if you have questions.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Newdude]

Hey DM and Welcome !!! You are at a crossroads. What you’ve been doing hasn’t worked for either you or your wallet. We can help immensely with both. But you have to kinda throw out what you know as we do things differently than ‘the industry’ (who made you seek us out).

We will GLADY guide you but we need reliable test results from a kit that *notification*. Oh. Pat already beat me above. ^^^. Lol. Nice job as always @Texas Splash

So yeah. Think it over.

check this thread out. These are regular Joe/Jane pools maintained almost effortlessly and on the CHEAP with simple generic chems. We have an army of folks who’ll guide you there if you want to learn.

How Clear is TFP Clear? Let's See (Pics Only Please).

How clear should my water be? A very common question. Here is mine on a calm morning where I could finally vacuum. Yes I know, I'm still manually vacuuming. It took me 7 years to finally get an SWG, I'm working on a robot. :) So now let's see your water clarity.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[dmgarza21]

Which chlorine is best, once I’m able to test with proper test kit?

 

[Newdude]

pool essentials liquid shock from Walmart or HDX chlorinating liquid at Home Depot are easiest to get for most folks. Both are in the pool aisle in the garden / outdoors-y area and both are 10%.

 

[dmgarza21]

Ok took water sample to Leslie’s while getting a better kit. This is where I am
FC: 13.03
TC: 15
PH: 7
TA: 18
CYA: 111

 

[mknauss]

While you are waiting on your test kit, add 5 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine / plain bleach to your pool each evening with the pump running. This will replenish the FC lost each day to the sun and also inhibit any algae in the water from growing further.

 

[dmgarza21]

While you are waiting on your test kit, add 5 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine / plain bleach to your pool each evening with the pump running. This will replenish the FC lost each day to the sun and also inhibit any algae in the water from growing further.

With a CYA of 111, would it be best to begin a partial drain?

 

[mknauss]

How do you know your CYA level? You need your own proper test kit to get that value.

 

[zea3]

We need to confirm the CYA level with your own test kit. The CYA is probably higher than what was measured, as the test maxes out at 100. If you have already ordered a test kit it should only take a couple of days to be delivered.

 

[dmgarza21]

How do you know your CYA level? You need your own proper test kit to get that value.

Got it, that was the level when I took the water sample to Leslies.

 

[Texas Splash]

Got it, that was the level when I took the water sample to Leslies.

Yeah, just hang tight. While we'd love to get you going with a plan, it's best to wait on your test kit to arrive. Just add that half gallon or so to the water each day for now. Once we see your numbers, we'll get surgical on that water.

 

[dmgarza21]

Yay! I got my test kit today and here we go:

CYA: 54ish
FC: 2
TC: 2
CC:0
TA: 90
PH: 6.8

 

[mknauss]

Great.
CYA of 60 ppm -
Follow the SLAM Process

You do not show pH, so be sure to test that and lower it to 7.2 prior to starting SLAM.

 

[dmgarza21]

Great.
CYA of 60 ppm -
Follow the SLAM Process

You do not show pH, so be sure to test that and lower it to 7.2 prior to starting SLAM.

Sorry I had forgot that one but PH was at 6.8

 

[Newdude]

All that shock / tabs were acidic and tanked your PH. I inherited a similar low pH when we moved. It took several adds from below range to be at a readable level. Don’t be surprised if the first raising to 7.2 doesn’t work. Mix well for 30 minutes, test and add again if need be.

 

[mknauss]

You cannot measure 6.2 --- and with a TA of 90, that is not even chemically possible.

 

[dmgarza21]

You cannot measure 6.2 --- and with a TA of 90, that is not even chemically possible.

Well heck, I’ll repeat it to double check. My first time with this kind of test

 

[mknauss]

Which test kit did you get? Please add that to your signature.

 

[dmgarza21]

Which test kit did you get? Please add that to your signature.

Does
PH: 6.8
TA: 90 make more sense?