Clear water, everything else wrong?

[Laguna]

Awesome stuff, Ben. THANKS!!

Is it correct to assume that, once I get balanced and start using BBB, that I will forego using chlorine tabs and only use bleach? Or are tabs still recommended?

So much to learn...

[PoolDoc]

You can do it either way.

It's sometimes easier to do both; that way you maintain your stabilizer levels without having them go too high. If you already have tabs, that would use them up. But, if not, you can go all bleach.

[Laguna]

An update: pH is 7.5 and holding pretty steady... however, I can't get TA up to save my life, even after buying my local market out of baking soda. Still hovering under 40. Any suggestions? Any reasons spring to mind?

[Watermom]

If your pH starts swinging, then you can worry about TA but as long as it is holding steady at 7.5, don't worry about it.

[Laguna]

FC: 5
pH: 6.8
TA: 60
CYA: 100

So... my guess is add washing soda which will raise pH and also slightly raise TA?

[Watermom]

You can do that, but if your TA rises faster than your pH, you may end up needing to switch to Borax after awhile. Kind of depends on how low your pH actually is. Since the pH tester only goes to 6.8, it could really be much lower than that.

[PoolDoc]

#9 - Once you've added the polyquat, resume raising the pH until you reach a level of 7.4 - 7.6. At that point, your heater will no longer be 'under atttack'.

=> Use borax, till you've sustained a reasonable pH for a couple of days.

[Laguna]

Opened filter for first time in a week. It is covered in aqua "stuff". Consistency of wet paint, completely covered. Linking pictures because I'm not sure you'd believe me otherwise.

(pics removed by moderator)
Ummm... help?

[aylad]

Laguna,
please email the pics to poolforum AT gmail DOT com and include a link to this thread so that we can add the pics.

Thanks

[Laguna]

Sent, thank you!