Too much soda ash + a SLAM...

[lcataldo]

Hello fellow pool owners!

We recently added the prescribed soda ash to our pool but didn't blend it all in prior to pouring it all in. To top it off, the breaker on our box for the pool shut off that night so everything just sat after the initial brush. When this happened + CC being at 1, we thought it was something outside of the soda ash and slammed our pool. Now our pH is super high, as is our total alkalinity.

I've continued with the SLAM and my CC is now 0, still losing more than 1ppm of chlorine over night. Now I'm really wondering though, what in the good heck did I get us into? How do I get rid of the cloudiness? I have tried vacuum to waste (and maybe i have a bum one - it would track with what the previous owners left), but it hasn't helped much.


The pool looks great but as soon as the water is stirred - it's back to milk time. I have a pool company coming out to replace our sand this week, would like to get the soda ash sorted prior to the new sand, if possible!

.

 

[Bperry]

Hello fellow pool owners!

We recently added the prescribed soda ash to our pool but didn't blend it all in prior to pouring it all in. To top it off, the breaker on our box for the pool shut off that night so everything just sat after the initial brush. When this happened + CC being at 1, we thought it was something outside of the soda ash and slammed our pool. Now our pH is super high, as is our total alkalinity.

I've continued with the SLAM and my CC is now 0, still losing more than 1ppm of chlorine over night. Now I'm really wondering though, what in the good heck did I get us into? How do I get rid of the cloudiness? I have tried vacuum to waste (and maybe i have a bum one - it would track with what the previous owners left), but it hasn't helped much.


The pool looks great but as soon as the water is stirred - it's back to milk time. I have a pool company coming out to replace our sand this week, would like to get the soda ash sorted prior to the new sand, if possible!

.View attachment 596331

You dont need to replace the sand. Why did you add soda ash? How are you testing the water?

 

[lcataldo]

The sand needed replaced as it was at least 6 years old. We did the soda ash originally because the pool math app told us to increase the CH. I’m using a TF-100 testing kit

 

[PoolStored]

Now our pH is super high, as is our total alkalinity

That is because you added soda ash, which is a hammer to raise pH and TA. The pH test is invalid when FC>10.

The sand needed replaced as it was at least 6 years old.

Sand is a billion years old. If you haven't put pool potions in, sand will last your lifetime.

We did the soda ash originally because the pool math app told us to increase the CH. I’m using a TF-100 testing kit

Pool math recommends calcium chloride or Calcium Chloride Dihydrate to raise CH, not soda ash. Calcium is not needed in a vinyl pool unless you have a gas heater, or potentially an SWCG.

I WOULD NOT ADD ANYTHING TO THIS POOL AT THIS POINT.

Let the FC come down, sun and swimmers will lower it. When FC falls below 10, test and adjust pH back to 7.2-7.4 with muriatic acid, and restart the SLAM process.

 

[lcataldo]

That is because you added soda ash, which is a hammer to raise pH and TA. The pH test is invalid when FC>10.

Sand is a billion years old. If you haven't put pool potions in, sand will last your lifetime.

Pool math recommends calcium chloride or Calcium Chloride Dihydrate to raise CH, not soda ash. Calcium is not needed in a vinyl pool unless you have a gas heater, or potentially an SWCG.

I WOULD NOT ADD ANYTHING TO THIS POOL AT THIS POINT.

Let the FC come down, sun and swimmers will lower it. When FC falls below 10, test and adjust pH back to 7.2-7.4 with muriatic acid, and restart the SLAM process.

Appreciate your breakdown. Good to know it’s still safe to swim in, we’ll come out smooth as can be!

 

[PoolStored]

Not sure it is safe to swim. Your pH could be very high which can cause irritation. If you cannot see the bottom, it is also not safe to swim. I would not swim until you can test and adjust pH.

 

[lcataldo]

I’ll keep on brushing then!

 

[lcataldo]

Hello fellow pool owners!

We recently added the prescribed soda ash to our pool but didn't blend it all in prior to pouring it all in. To top it off, the breaker on our box for the pool shut off that night so everything just sat after the initial brush. When this happened + CC being at 1, we thought it was something outside of the soda ash and slammed our pool. Now our pH is super high, as is our total alkalinity.

I've continued with the SLAM and my CC is now 0, still losing more than 1ppm of chlorine over night. Now I'm really wondering though, what in the good heck did I get us into? How do I get rid of the cloudiness? I have tried vacuum to waste (and maybe i have a bum one - it would track with what the previous owners left), but it hasn't helped much.


The pool looks great but as soon as the water is stirred - it's back to milk time. I have a pool company coming out to replace our sand this week, would like to get the soda ash sorted prior to the new sand, if possible!

.View attachment 596331

Edited to add: everything is back in level now except for the alkalinity. It says I need to put in acid and aerate. Is the muriatic acid the best choice? Or am I reading things wrong again

 

[PoolStored]

Manage your pH and ignore TA (test for it, but don't "treat" it). Yes, use muriatic acid. Follow this:

1. When TA > 80: When pH gets to 8.0, lower your pH to 7.6. pH will rise. When pH gets to 8.0, lower to 7.6 again. This will lower TA over time.
2. When TA is between 60 and 80: DON'T lower pH to 7.6. pH will be fairly stable between 7.8 and 8.0

If your Muriatic additions, when TA is above 80, are too frequent for your tastes, here is a guide to quickly lower TA. Link-->Lowering Total Alkalinity (TA) Quickly with the Acid Aeration Method

 

[lcataldo]

Hello fellow pool owners!

We recently added the prescribed soda ash to our pool but didn't blend it all in prior to pouring it all in. To top it off, the breaker on our box for the pool shut off that night so everything just sat after the initial brush. When this happened + CC being at 1, we thought it was something outside of the soda ash and slammed our pool. Now our pH is super high, as is our total alkalinity.

I've continued with the SLAM and my CC is now 0, still losing more than 1ppm of chlorine over night. Now I'm really wondering though, what in the good heck did I get us into? How do I get rid of the cloudiness? I have tried vacuum to waste (and maybe i have a bum one - it would track with what the previous owners left), but it hasn't helped much.


The pool looks great but as soon as the water is stirred - it's back to milk time. I have a pool company coming out to replace our sand this week, would like to get the soda ash sorted prior to the new sand, if possible!

Me again! I left everything alone chemical wise for a few days and this is where we are at today. Since everything else is good and TA seems to not need to be in the ideal range, can we get in this bad boy and splash around to mix up the lingering soda ash? It still is getting cloudy when we brush/vaccuum.

THANK YOU!!

 

[PoolStored]

Your CYA is 60, always round up to next 10. Make sure you keep your FC in range for your CYA. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

It is safe to swim if you can see the bottom. If you cannot see the bottom of the deep end, it is not safe to swim.

Continue to SLAM until the pool is clear, and you pass OCLT. Your FC target it 24.