Pool Start Up & Maint

[waterbear]

Couldn't figure out how the alk test worked--do I wait for the entire vile to red or just for it to produce a red color?

Thanks!

The ALK test is done when the color has turned red and adding one more drop does not produce further change of color. Don't count the last drop.

[tysmom]

Thanks for the help. I am a little concerned about not being able to backwash for a week. My pool is REALLY dirty and my filter is losing pressure about every six hours. I'm running it 24 hours. I am also running an automatic vacuum that is independent of my pools filtration system, and it is filthy. My water is really cloudy. Should I wait until I can hold pressure for a while before adding it or should I not run my filter so often? Any ideas? Thanks again.

[JohnT]

Thanks for the help. I am a little concerned about not being able to backwash for a week. My pool is REALLY dirty and my filter is losing pressure about every six hours. I'm running it 24 hours. I am also running an automatic vacuum that is independent of my pools filtration system, and it is filthy. My water is really cloudy. Should I wait until I can hold pressure for a while before adding it or should I not run my filter so often? Any ideas? Thanks again.

Put the CYA into an old sock, tie a knot in it, and drop it in the skimmer basket. It will remain in the sock until it dissolves, so you can backwash as needed.

[tysmom]

[QUOTE=waterbear]The ALK test is done when the color has turned red

the etire vile has turned red, correct? I had added 12 drops and I was seeing red, but the whole vile never turned red.

[aylad]

Yes, when the entire vial has turned red and won't change color further.

Janet

[waterbear]

swirl the vial for about 10 seconds between each drop. it will start to turn reddish then on more drop will make it definitly red. add one more drop and if the color does not change any more then don't count the last drop. if it gets redder then swirl and add one more drop. stop when that last drop does not produce a further color change and don't count the last drop.

[tysmom]

Thanks, guys for the help. It took 14 drops before it was red and did not increase in redness. The pool is cloudy, but is clearing. I'm assuming once the CYA stablizes the chlorine and it quit evaporates during the day that it will clear. Ideas?

[waterbear]

If the 14th drop turned it red and the 15th didn't change the color then you have 140 ppm TA which is fine for a vinyl pool.

[tysmom]

Great! Thanks!