Opening Pool Questions and Levels

[jrsdws]

Forgot to mention the brownish/green color brushed away easily so it was probably a bit of algae left. The rough scaley stuff feels like sandpaper and appears white or clear.

[jrsdws]

Chlorine levels finally looking right and holding overnight. I worked on lowering pH slowly with muriatic acid over the weekend...still have a little to go. This morning I moved the return eye up so it's shooting upwards and bubbling hard at the surface for aeration. Here are current readings.

FC = 12
CC = .5
TC = 12.5
pH = 7.5
TA = 500

Will the lowering of pH and TA make the water more acidic and aid in brushing away of the sandpaper like rough spots?

[madwil]

not sure what the rough spots are- but most things will redissolve as you reduce the TA and maintain your chlorine.
If you are holding FC overnight, water is clear (and I see your CC is .5), you don't have to shock anymore- just maintain normal FC levels from now on, based on your CYA level!

[Watermom]

Go ahead and add more muriatic acid to lower the pH back down and then aerate again. With a TA of 500, this is going to be an ongoing cycle you'll need to do, but it will gradually come down.

[jrsdws]

I finally feel like I'm gaining control of my pool. It's taking some time and attention but it's working!!!

We're just maintaining chlorine levels now around 5-7ppm....time for a shock tonight though as there have been lots of swimming with sunscreen, etc., in this heat.

Currently: pH = 7.2 and TA is down to 350 from a whopping 520

The deposits/sandpaper gritty areas are starting to dissolve now....we just keep brushing and they're finally cleaning up.

[madwil]

yep, as you get the TA down, they'll dissolve back into the water...
sounds like you have control now- the pool is acting like you want it to, and usable!
The hard work is done, now just staying on top of it is a lot smoother!
I had about 10 people in the pool yesterday, and water is still crystal clear!

[jrsdws]

Too cold to swim here as of late, but chemistry balance is still underway and making progress. TA is down to 220 with a goal of 120 in sight.

Too all of those working to get your pools water chemistry right....PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE!!!!!!! Don't rush and don't take shortcuts...accept that it all takes time and effort and you'll get there.