Taking over from pool service

[ables]

Hi all. Looking for some help. I’d like to end my weekly pool service and maintain the chemicals myself. I’ve already taken on the cleaning part, and feel i should be able to do it all and save money while at it.

I’ve been testing the water to try to get a baseline before I take this on myself.

Currently using pool tabs in a floating dispenser, and it seems the CYA is always high. What type of chlorine should I be using to also help reduce CYA? I understand water may need partially drained to reduce this, so it will be a slow process as Im not ready to start over in middle of swim season.

Any and all feedback on what chemicals I should be using and how often is much appreciated.


Current chemical levels in attached image.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
Here are a couple articles to review.

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

DIY Pool Care: The Benefits of Taking Charge of Your Pool Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I suggest you read through Pool Care Basics - Trouble Free Pool and even look at a few of our videos TFP-TV - Trouble Free Pool

 

[HermanTX]

Currently using pool tabs in a floating dispenser, and it seems the CYA is always high. What type of chlorine should I be using to also help reduce CYA? I understand water may need partially drained to reduce this, so it will be a slow process as Im not ready to start over in middle of swim season.

Switch to liquid chlorine. Purchase it at Walmart or Home Depot - look in the pool section - normally called Pool Essentials.
Stop using pucks.
Now you will need to purchase muractic acid to control pH. Currently the pucks have an acid in them so that affects the pH but without the pucks MA will be needed as LC has no acid in it.
CYA may dissipate somewhat over the summer. It’s a long process. Draining is the most effective way to reduce CYA. Take advantage of any big thunderstorm by draining several inches and let rain fill back up. You will need to add LC after this to bring up FC levels.

 

[ables]

Switch to liquid chlorine. Purchase it at Walmart or Home Depot - look in the pool section - normally called Pool Essentials.
Stop using pucks.
Now you will need to purchase muractic acid to control pH. Currently the pucks have an acid in them so that affects the pH but without the pucks MA will be needed as LC has no acid in it.
CYA may dissipate somewhat over the summer. It’s a long process. Draining is the most effective way to reduce CYA. Take advantage of any big thunderstorm by draining several inches and let rain fill back up. You will need to add LC after this to bring up FC levels.

So muractic acid is better than Borax or Soda Ash to raise and balance PH?

Would you dilute it in a bucket of pool water before pouring into pool, and how do you determine how much acid?

 

[mknauss]

Please review the links I provided above. The answers to your questions are there.

 

[ables]

Please review the links I provided above. The answers to your questions are there.

I have read through those (depends on if trying to raise or lower Ph). I still am uncertain how you decide how much to use. Can you share your experience on that?

 

[mknauss]

You enter your test data into PoolMath. It is rare to need to raise the pH chemically. You lower it using muriatic acid. As long as pH is in the 7's, it is good.

The Recommended Chemical page describes how to add each chemical. Do NOT dilute acid in a bucket. Simply pour the acid in a pencil size stream in front of a return with the pump running. Then brush that area if desired.