This is what happens when you close your pool and go on vacation for three weeks.

[AboveGroundInflatable]

Opened the pool in mid-June and promptly took the family on vacation in mid-July. I opted to cover our small above ground pool and leave my SWG running on a shorter than normal schedule, just to ensure the water wouldn't be overrun by algae upon my return. Three weeks later, the water was crystal clear except for a small amount of fine sediment at the bottom. Looks like I misjudged the potential chlorine loss though.

I'm sure it'll be fine in a couple days once the sun has had its way with the chemicals. Regardless, I was quite proud that I managed to stave off an algae/critter takeover with nothing more than a pool cover, some shrink wrap, and running the SWG for two hours a day.

 

[ajw22]

No harm done with high FC and pH for a few weeks when no one is in the pool.

 

[JamesW]

I would pour in a quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide to knock the FC down some.

The pH is probably not accurate due to the high FC.

 

[AboveGroundInflatable]

In case anyone is curious, this is what 22-ish hours of exposure to the sun and the elements does to the chlorine in a 1700 gallon above ground pool. Time to turn on the SWG.

Edit: I should add With Zero CYA in your water chemistry.

 

[JamesW]

That's a lot of FC lost in less than 24 hours.

What is the CYA level?

 

[AboveGroundInflatable]

That's a lot of FC lost in less than 24 hours.

What is the CYA level?

Good question. The answer is actually zero CYA. I was in a bit of a hurry when I opened my pool and forgot to add any CYA.

Now comes the extremely tedious step of adding dry stabilizer that absolutely refuses to dissolve in my pool water...

 

[sapphiretyger]

I am leaving for 10 days in early September and I am terrified!!!

 

[Vandergraff]

I am also leaving for 10 days later this month.

My plan is to go to SLAM level on liquid chlorine and put some chlorine tabs in a floater. Hopefully this will keep chlorine at a reasonable level until we are back. Not sure what else I can do...I did this June when we were away for a week and it seemed to work OK.

I am actually also a little concerned about water evaporation. In mid summer temps here 80s - 90s I have been filling once a week for last month. Here I think I will just fill a bit more than normal. Again not sure I have another option.

 

[Mdragger88]

Good question. The answer is actually zero CYA. I was in a bit of a hurry when I opened my pool and forgot to add any CYA.

Now comes the extremely tedious step of adding dry stabilizer that absolutely refuses to dissolve in my pool water...

Are you using the sock method ?
A half a pound should dissolve pretty quickly if the water is warm at all.

 

[Vandergraff]

Are you using the sock method ?
A half a pound should dissolve pretty quickly if the water is warm at all.

I used a skimmer sock recently and a pound was gone in a couple of hours

 

[JamesW]

Make sure that you wash the socks after using them or your feet will smell like Cyanuric Acid.

 

[AboveGroundInflatable]

Are you using the sock method ?
A half a pound should dissolve pretty quickly if the water is warm at all.

Actually, yes. I discovered the sock method yesterday and was shocked at how effective it was at dissolving dry stabilizer.

 

[Mdragger88]

Actually, yes. I discovered the sock method yesterday and was shocked at how effective it was at dissolving dry stabilizer.

How were you adding it before?

 

[AboveGroundInflatable]

How were you adding it before?

I would drop small amounts of CYA into the skimmer sock. Sadly. those socks were not as effective since they're far more porous than an old athletic sock.

 

[AboveGroundInflatable]

Update: Getting closer! CYA is up to 55-60. Just a couple more tweaks and we'll be good to go.

 

[Mdragger88]

Do you have an fas/dpd test?

 

[AboveGroundInflatable]

Do you have an fas/dpd test?

I believe so. The chlorine test that comes with my TF-100 kit comes with a DPD testing powder and reagent to determine chlorine levels to .5 ppm.

 

[Mdragger88]

I believe so. The chlorine test that comes with my TF-100 kit comes with a DPD testing powder and reagent to determine chlorine levels to .5 ppm.

Use that instead of the OTO for accuracy