undissolved shock (I think)

[swimin]

Last night was shock night... I used 2 lbs of granular shock. This morning, I discovered random piles of white powdery substance in the bottom of the pool. This has happened before and I couldn't figure it out. This time, I think I have the answer...undissolved chemicals???
What say you?

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
First thing - Why shock? Unnecessary with the TFPC methods


Was it Cal Hypo? Does it eventually dissolve? Is it staining your liner?

I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Pool School eBook.

 

[jimbethesda]

Yeah, shock is a verb, not a noun! In all seriousness, never rely on the marketing-speak product name of anything you put in your pool. Look at the ingredients. If none are listed....stay away for sure.

The most egregious is “alkalinity up” sold at pool stores. Alkalinity up = baking soda at 5-10 times the price!

So....as Marty asked..what did you really put in your pool?

 

[swimin]

Ok so you succeeded in making me feel stupid. It was 2 lbs of cal hypo as directed by the pool store devils. “To be added weekly,” they said.
Last year I used only liquid chlorine and don’t remember seeing this accumulation of dust on the bottom of the pool. This year we started visiting a new local pool store and, as a result, have changed our way of adding chemicals... after reading the ABCs, I see that I was doing alright before. So, I truly can maintain my pool with bleach, borax, and baking soda?

 

[IceShadow]

I need to add muratic acid too, to bring the pH down from time to time. EDIT: Oh, and CYA. Haven't needed to add borax or baking soda yet. (I mean, I did, because I bought Alkalinity Up before I found this place, but....)

 

[Flying Tivo]

Bleach, muratic acid and CYA are the main ingredients. Since you have vinyl you dont need Calcium.

 

[IceShadow]

If you do add cal hypo (which you can, if your calcium can take the increase), get a 5 gallon bucket, get it at least halfway full of water, dissolve the cal hypo into the bucket, and pour it into your pool at a return jet, slowly.

 

[jimbethesda]

Ok so you succeeded in making me feel stupid. It was 2 lbs of cal hypo as directed by the pool store devils. “To be added weekly,” they said.
Last year I used only liquid chlorine and don’t remember seeing this accumulation of dust on the bottom of the pool. This year we started visiting a new local pool store and, as a result, have changed our way of adding chemicals... after reading the ABCs, I see that I was doing alright before. So, I truly can maintain my pool with bleach, borax, and baking soda?

That certainly wasn’t my intent! Just trying to use a little humor. This site taught me a lot.