Chlorine and pH problems following missing stabilizer

[Cstaines]

Did the pH test with distilled water and the result was between 7.5 and 7.8

OTO drop test matched this result.

The K 2006 will arrive any day now.

Daughter added more bleach before I got home from work. How long should I wait before testing? Also just had a really hard rain and it is still raining moderately now.

[PoolDoc]

You can wait.

With CYA > 200 ppm, an appropriate chlorine level is going to be in the orange tinted range (chlorine > 20 ppm).

Right now, you just want to avoid algae, while waiting for the kit, and good data. As long as the pool is algae free, you can swim. I wouldn't recommend wearing a new $100 swimsuit when you do, however.

However, watch out for eye and skin irritation: swim 10 minutes for the first time, and then wait and see. Sometimes, by products of CYA loss can combine with chlorine to form some irritating chemicals, and you don't want to spend 2 hours in the pool, and then pop-up with 'hives' 2 hours after you get out. (It's not a real allergy, but it feels like one!)

[Cstaines]

I just received the K2006 pool test kit. We are ready to follow the next instructions.

[PoolDoc]

Watch the videos, here:

http://pool9.net/tk-guide/
http://pool9.net/tk-interfere/

Notice particularly the TA interference video. Then:

1. Test the chlorine levels, using the 10 ml sample and the 0.5 ppm/drop test.
2. Mix 1/4 cup of pool water with 1/2 cup of tap water. Test for CYA. Multiply the result x3
3. Report those results, including FC (free chlorine) and CC (combined chlorine) Tell us what you water looks and smells like (if there's an odor).

4. Make sure you have a gallon of distilled water from Walmart on hand. Mix 1/4 cup of pool water with 1/2 cup of DISTILLED water. Test the pH of this sample. The result is as tested; no multiplier.
5. Test TA, adapting for high chlorine.
6. Test CH
7. Report those results. Tell us what you water looks and smells like (if there's an odor).

[Cstaines]

Alright, just tested everything.

Water is clear with a very faint chlorine smell
Free chlorine 10.5 ppm
Combined chlorine 1.5 ppm
Cyanuric acid 300 ppm
pH 7.6
Alkalinity 320 ppm
Calcium Hardness 220 ppm

[PoolDoc]

Use muriatic acid to lower your pH to near 7.0, and just keep it there.
http://pool9.net/ma/

If you can aerate, that will not only help lower the TA, but will help remove some of the combined chlorine compounds that are forming.

Also, you need to add 6 gallon doses of PLAIN 8% bleach, each evening. With CYA = 300 ppm, a *normal* chlorine level is 15 ppm; 'shock' is 30 ppm or more. You'll need to get the chlorine level up above 20 ppm. Be sure to use the 10ml test sample with the K2006 (each drop = 0.5 ppm). Otherwise you'll use up your chlorine test drops too fast.

[Watermom]

You might hold the record for the highest CYA award. I can't remember another pool that we have had on here recently with a CYA level that high! Thank you, pool store!!