Where do I go from here?

[meemers]

[h=2]Where do I go from here?[/h]

Test results, as of 5/31
pH - 7.2
Total A - 130
FC - 3
TC -3
TH - 250
CYA - 100
TDS - 2200

I had the test done at a pool store to make sure our home testing matched up. They did not alert me to the high CYA level and the effect that would have/and has had on our chlorine as you clearly state here.
I did add their recommended 1.5 lbs of soda ash to raise the pH. So....my pool is greenish and cloudy and has been for the most part during last year or two, with occasional breakthroughs. I followed someone's advice and poured in nine bags of shock two nights ago - no change. I have taken some water out and refilled in the past, but no where near the amount indicated on your poolMath table that would bring my cya levels down to 30-40. I am thinking that must be the place to begin but hope to get your advice as to the best course of action. It has been an incredibly rainy spring here in Northern Virginia for what thats worth. I just ordered a Taylor FAS-DPD kit.​

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!

What test kit are you using? Are the tests you show yours or the pool store?

I would suggest adding enough liquid chlorine each day to add 5 ppm FC until you get the FAS-DPD. I assume your current test kit can test CYA.

We will need a full set of test results from your own kit before we can provide guidance on moving forward.

Take care.

 

[meemers]

Thank you so much for the prompt response!

I am using an hth 6-way test kit and tested the water this morning with the following results:

pH - 7.2-7.5
TA - 200
TC - 1
TH - 310
CYA - 40 - This was a surprise since the pool store indicated 100ppm, so I tested 3 times! We have been inundated with rain here this spring if that matters, although it was not that long ago the store tested.

I also noticed that my TA is quite a bit higher than the pool store's 130ppm - which I noted was already too high.

I expect my FAS-DPD kit to arrive today or tomorrow. I will add some liquid chlorine today. I really appreciate your advice.

Also, I noticed that my signature is not showing up on my post. Please school me on this - I am somewhat tech. challenged.

 

[mknauss]

Signature - Go to Settings (upper right of this page) then Edit Signature (left side of that page).

Look at my signature for what we are looking for.

Take care.

 

[meemers]

32000gal., inground/colored plaster, 2007, Pentair FNS Plus DE filter, Pentair 1.5hp motor​

 

[meemers]

Good evening!
I got my FAS-DPD kit today and retested everything:

FC - 5.2
CC - 3.4
pH - 7.2
TH - 270
TA - 200

It look like I should SLAM my pool since the CC is well above .5? Should I address the TA first since it is so high?
Thank you for your assistance.

 

[RobertScalchi]

We can adjust the TA later. The TA within range just stabilizes Ph fluctuation. 7.2 ph is perfect for SLAM. What is your CYA? So we know how high to take your FC for SLAM?

 

[meemers]

Thank you for the reply!
As I noted a few posts earlier, I tested cya three times and got 30/40.
I tested three times because the pool store put my cya at 100????!!!
When I discussed this difference with my husband, (we have had cya issues in the past) he thought their number was strange since we had lowered the water level quite a bit pre-winter and have had boatloads of rain this spring.
I'm going to use 16 as my target FC - I bought my Chlorine (10%) last night, so I am ready to go.
I will keep you posted!

 

[meemers]

Thought I would post and let you know how things are progressing. I did the SLAM, it took a solid week + and about 40 gals. of chlorine. The water showed no more cc and I kept monitoring and adding except the water was still not clear. We discovered an issue with our filtration system - we were ignorantly letting some of the water bypass the filter and put DE back into the pool. We have finally remedied that issue and seeing the water start to clear. I can see my feet in the shallow end! And tomorrow when I vacuum - I will actually see the residue on the bottom of shallow end now -No fun vacuuming when you can't see! I will post again hopefully to say we finally made it! We have a clear, healthy pool. I do want to thank you for giving me the information and the tools I needed to understand my pool chemistry and move forward with confidence. The grandkids will be very happy!