First pool, might be our LAST...name says it all!

[CarlD]

The sides of the Intex donuts are surprisingly tough as they are re-inforced. The bottom and the donut are weaker, more like a liner. I never saw any signs of the plastic breaking down on mine over 3 years.

[swamp mistress]

Thankfully the "goo" is disapearing, today there was almost nil on the skimmer.

7pm statis
flushed filter, added a total of 9 cups (72 oz) of bleach, (3 at first, tested, then 6 more)
without any problems...have not had to add metal control.
CL: 12 (if I understood shot glass method correctly, 1+1=2, 1+2=3, etc. did I do it right, after mixing pool water w/distilled, poured into test kit thingy, then added 5 drops & checked color...)
Ph: 7.2

8pm - checked again, same test results CL: 12, Ph: 7.2

will check early am & post results. The water is looking very good!

[CarlD]

Yup, you got the CarlD Patented Shot Glass Method down!

[swamp mistress]

6:30am results (6-way hth, 15' x 42' Intex)
CL: 12
Ph: 7.2

actions: flushed filter, (the water exiting the filter is only as dirty as the untreated tannin water going in from the hose), checked CYA sock, still has a little undisolved product in it, cleaned skimmer, VERY slight residue that washed off with the hose, didn't have to scrub it with degreaser! yahoo!!!! When I held up a glass of pool water, dare I say? it looked CRYSTAL! The pool water LOOKS so INVITING!

I didn't add more chlorine, didn't know how long to keep it at 12ppm...or let it fall back around 3-5 range?

[aylad]

I would leave it at 12 ppm for one more day, just to be on the safe side, but if you went from 7 pm last night until 6 am this morning with no chlorine loss, I'd say you're in pretty good shape. If you can keep it at 12 all day, and go all night tonight without losing any chlorine, then I'd say let it drift back down to the 3-5 range tomorrow and go swimming!! Might want to squeeze the sock a little to encourage the last of the CYA to dissolve, then tomorrow morning test your CYA, and we can adjust your baseline chlorine from there. Once you mix the pool water with the CYA reagent, let the bottle sit on the counter for 3 or 4 minutes. Then shake it again and run your test for CYA. If you're not sure, you can always pour the mixture from the tube with the dot in it back into your original container and do the test again. It's a very subjective test, but we need to know what yours is to determine whether to add more CYA or how low to let the chlorine go.

You've done a great job--keep at it, just a little longer--I'm getting the feeling that crystal clear pool is right around the corner!!

Janet

[swamp mistress]

ok, kept pool at 12ppm all day yesterday, only needed to add a little bleach last night to keep it there for overnight (2 cups), flushed filter & ran pump all night.

7am today (6-way hth test, 15'x42" Intex)
CL: 12
Ph: 7.2
I didn't test for CYA yet, the sock still had a little product, I squished the last of it out and will give it an hour or so to disperse, then test.

Water looks GREAT, very clear, so clear I can see the DESSERT DIRT that settled on the bottom. High winds blew the cover right off yesterday and dirt right IN, tried putting a coffee filter in the bag (tied to the long handled skimmer/brush included with the pool), but that didn't help much, it collected bugs but not dirt. I put in a new pump filter since the waters so clear, I thought I could see if dirt is EVEN being sucked into the filter at all. I'm hoping getting in it later today (yeah!..happy dance ) the dirt will get moving around so it CAN be filtered.

[aylad]

Congratulations!!
Now let your chlorine drop to the 3-5 range and enjoy your pool!!! Come back and let us know how the CYA level is doing.....and keep an eye on your pH. Remember that if your pH starts to climb, you could be letting yourself in for brown water again. Keep it below 7.6, but never below 7.0 .

Great job!

Janet