Time to replace sand?

[Watermom]

Don't add the Fiber Clear. I don't know what that is and you don't anything else that might contribute to the problem. Instead, try adding some DE to your sand filter like many of us do. It may help. Read more about it at the following link. Be aware that you may not see the rise in pressure immediately. It usually takes about a half hour in my pool to see it. So, don't add too much DE. If you overshoot, backwash it out and try again.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=3742

The pump size sounds reasonable to me but one of the equipment gurus will hopefully chime in if they see a problem with your setup.

Keep up the frequent testing and adding bleach. I know it is a pain, but eventually your pool is going to be fun and not so much work!

Also, do me a favor. In your signature, please put that you have a Taylor K-2006. We help so many people in so many threads that it gets time consuming to have to scroll back over and over to look to see who has what. That will be a big help and a time-saver if you can do that.

[jonno]

Thanks Watermom. TC was still 25ppm at the 8pm reading so no dose of bleach at nightfall. I'll see what the TC is in the morning and report on the level, dose, and water clarity.
(Note: I'm using the shotglass method to measure TC with OT chlorine test until my R-0871 refill arrives later this week.)

Watermom wrote:

Don't add the Fiber Clear. I don't know what that is and you don't anything else that might contribute to the problem.

I found the a couple references to Fiber Clear in this forum from about 5 years ago - http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...r-sand-filters.
Oh, and here is the MSDS for Fiber Clear http://www.fiberclear.net/images/msds_091405.pdf.

Even so, I agree that I don't want to add any variables, so I'll pick up some DE tomorrow.

[jonno]

Water is much clearer this morning - I can see the pattern on the shallow end bottom and can see the dark head of the leaf scoop when it is at the bottom of the deep end.
TC was slightly lighter than the 5 level (5 OT = 25 ppm) using the OT kit and the shotglass method so I added 1 gal of 12.5% bleach. As I swept the bottom and walls, plumes of dead algae rose up ahead of the brush in most areas - but the layer was thin enough so that the "just brushed" swath was not distinguishable from the "not yet brushed" area. In days past, the sweeping would leave a obviously cleaner swath as I brushed.

I'm trickling more water into the pool so I can backwash this evening or tomorrow. Haven't been able to test pH or TA due to the high chlorine level. I'll be back at noon to test again. Sky is overcast and drizzling.

[jonno]

Yay! The titrating reagent refill was on my front porch when I came home from lunch so I was able to do a real FC test.

FC 31.5, so no bleach added.
CC 0.0

I arranged for another family member to test the FC again at 4p and I'll test once more around 6:30p when I get home.

John

[jonno]

Three titrating tests starting at noon today. Before that I had to use the shotglass method and it was a guess at best.
The water is still cloudy, but I can see the bottom.

1pm
FC 31.5
CC 0.0

4pm
FC 28.5
CC not tested

7pm
FC 27.0
CC 1.5

I'll test again tomorrow morning and see if the FC has held within 1 ppm. If it is below 25ppm, I'll add bleach. If it is 25 or higher, I think the plan is to stop adding bleach let the FC drift down to 15 (it may take a day or two), then test pH and TA. Then (dare I ask it?) will it be swim time?

[Watermom]

But...... if you still have a CC reading greater than 0.5, you still have to maintain the high cl. Sorry to have to tell you that. Since your FC didn't drop much during that time period, I'm hoping the CC reading may be is just testing error.

[jonno]

This morning the FC was 19ppm, down from 27ppm from 12 hours before. Also the CC was 1.0 so I'm still on the program. Added 1.3 gallons of 12.5% bleach to bring it back to 25 ppm.

I have someone to check it every two hours today and keep it at 25 and will see how it looks tomorrow. The water is quite clear - not crystal yet, but I can see the seams in the vinyl even in the deep end. I feel like this is home stretch and I'm not going to rush it. Thanks!