New Member - Pool Newbie saying hello

[rmergen]

Test results for this AM:
Water: Blue and cloudy
FC: 21.5
CC: 0

Will check again after work this afternoon.

Also, now that the water is clearing and i can see the bottom in the shallow end, i spotted to what looks like a small rip in the liner. grr.... water level looks a tad lower than what it was last night. anyone recommend a good patch kit? or are the ones you pick up at walmart or lowes ok?

Thanks in advance.

[PoolDoc]

Membership updated.

Vinyl pool patch sticky is HERE: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?13118

I'm working on updating that thread, today. So, even if you look at it this AM (7/12/2013), you may want to check it again, this evening.

So long as you have stabilizer in your pool (CYA > 30 ppm) high chlorine (FC < 25 ppm) shouldn't be a problem.

[rmergen]

Thanks, i will check it out that sticky later tonight. and get it patched asap.
thanks for the info RE: FC. I will keep it at that level until i don't lose more than 1ppm in FC and CC is .5 or less overnight. i feel im getting closer. it's a sand filter, would adding a little DE to the skimmer help filter out the fine particles in between back-washing? ive read a lot of people do that. does it really work?

[PoolDoc]

Adding DE will:
(a) test your filter. If DE blows back into the pool, your filter 'fails' and needs service.
(b) IF it passes, added DE will help filter fines, but it will also make the filter stop up much faster.

I recommend testing with a small amount of DE, and then adding more if it 'passes'. But I'd recommend waiting till you are ready to vacuum.

[rmergen]

Adding DE to the filter worked like a charm! filter passed. nothing blew back into the pool. after about 4 hours it was ready for a backwash. repeated with the same amount of DE and the water has been crystal clear ever since with no BW'ing needed. overnight CL test passed and now im letting FC fall down to 3-6ppm. thanks for the tips. water looks great!

[Watermom]

Good news! Thanks for the update.