I'll try again - need help to balance and close

[nefretrameses]

Bean,

I saw your post yesterday. The Mods are probably busy, as you know. My pool stays open all year, but I recall a few items from reading in the forums.

First, CYA takes a while to dissolve so that it will register in a test sample. How did you add it? The preferred method is to put it in a sock in front of a return. If you added it to the skimmer, it's probably stuck in your filter so don't backwash for a week. I don't know how big your pool is so its hard to say what concentration you should expect with 4 pounds of stabilizer (CYA). Do you typically open to a green pool? If so I don't think I'd worry too much about stabilizer. My understanding is that long term algae growth over winter converts it to ammonia and creates a huge chlorine demand on opening.

I've seen recommendation to close after your water temp is < 60 degrees and to open before it is > 60 degrees to limit algae growth. If you can dose with bleach until it freezes, you should have less trouble opening. Try to add at several points around the pool. You may need to dilute it to prevent bleaching your liner with no circulation.

I'm not sure about your stain, but I'd bet it's long term algae growth.

Try bumping this post until you get a definite answer.

[kelemvor]

I agree that the black and green your are seeing is probably algae stains as nefretramses mentioned. You can try bringing your water back up to shock level (10+ with 0cya) and getting some on the affected areas and hitting it with a brush some more.

As far as the cya you've added not showing up, according to my calculation on an 18.5k gallon pool that 4 lbs is only going to get you 26ppm cya once it's fully dissolved. I wouldn't bother with polyquat while shocking, the chlorine is just going to eat it along with the funds in your wallet.

For your question about circulating chlorine with no pump. Use a stick, brush, or other tool to stir up the water and mix it in. Do your best to pour it in different spots and/or mix as you go. If you pour a bunch in one spot and don't mix it you might lighten your liner in that area.

[CoffeeBean]

Nefretrameses & kalemvor,

Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it.

Nefre...Yes, In my frustration, I zoned out and read the instructions on the CYA jug and the 1st 2# went into the skimmer. Then I remembered using a filter bag and hanging it in front of the eyeball like you mentioned.

So far the CYA is zero after 4# of it. I added another 1.5# tonight (all that's left. The stores are out too) I've been in the pool a couple of times in the last 2 weeks trying to vac it up that way. Having the polycarb safety dome on it means I can't walk around the perimeter to vac normally. I tried putting straight CL on a white washcloth to see if it would remove the black staining but nothing. Perhaps they'll fade with time and sun next season.

I've not had so much trouble getting the pool balanced as I am this time. I get one set of #s in line and another one goes out. Today the pH is 7.2 so I must find some 20 Mule team tomorrow.

I wasn't aware that shocking overrides the poly. Thanks for that tip.

[CarlD]

Bean, Sorry, but I've been very tied up all this season with other issues going on and Pool Forum has had to be back-burnered.

First, what is "shock"? Is it cal-hypo, di-chlor, liquid chlorine?
Second, CYA can take up to a week to show up in measurements. What are you using to test CYA? Not strips, I hope. Strips are virtually useless for that.
Third, on an 18k pool, 2 # of stabilizer when your CYA is 0 is going to do much. 6-8 pounds may actually get you a reading, but, again, you'll need to wait a week.
Fourth, in closing instructions I always suggest you raise and keep FC at shock level--with a CYA of 0, that means 10ppm. CYA from 0-30, the FC should be 12ppm, not the 5.5 you've hit.
Fifth, I'd add 2 gallons of 6% bleach immediately to get your FC to 12ppm.
Sixth, review the stickies here on closing a pool. I've never been one to suggest adding bleach over the winter since I'm in NJ, and it's not necessary here...I've never done it.

Hope this is a start.

Carl

[CarlD]

I've merged your two threads. Please don't start new threads on the same topic, "bump" them instead. Sorry we haven't gotten to your problem. I've been tied up with other issues.

[CoffeeBean]

Hi CarlD,

Sorry to hear life's gotten in the way of water for you. Hope it improves. :-) Thank you very much for the info. It really helps me understand. Chemistry was never my forte. I *have* read the stickies - I printed them out years ago and keep them in a binder.

I finally now have the water clear. BTW, I don't know what "bump the thread" means. When Nefretrameses suggested doing it to get a response, I looked for a definition on the Forum before I posted again but didn't find it. Could you please explain where I can find out how to do it? I don't want to do something I shouldn't.

I've been using Cal-hypo for shock but usually use just Clorox to maintain. I finally got the CYA cranked up to 38 after multiple applications. The FC was 3-4 yesterday. (Halfway between 3 & 4)

I'll add more Clorox today. The temps got really chilly and the pool water temp went as low as 55 but the weather got hot again here in western PA and so the water is warming up also. I'll just maintain it until the temps and the water temp is consistently below 60 degrees then shut it down for the winter. I won't make the same mistake again by not opening and treating the water.

Thanks again. I really do appreciate you taking the time to answer.

CoffeeBean

[nefretrameses]

"Bump the thread". If you have not gotten a response at all, a partial response, or a response that is not certain (like "I think this is right but you should get an answer from a subject matter expert or Moderator), you can get the thread to show up as new by replying to your own thread. Ask the question that has not yet been answered. Doing so places it back in the "New Posts" queue. The New Posts is where you can see posts that you have not yet reviewed. That is usually how you can get an expert/Moderator's direct attention. Sometimes Moderators/experts are away from the forum for various reasons, bumping the thread "brings the question back up".