My turn to ask questions

[KLHink]

Great - that sounds like a plan...

[KLHink]

OK I'm back, slow going here... actual pool volume is 33000 w/vinyl liner. Got a brand new cheap test kit today because I ran low on CYA reagent. My pool is slowly clearing. Some won't go near it because it's abit cloudy, I've been in twice to vacuum the past three days. I hope to get to crystal this week.
Now, I have the pool chlorine at about 12 as of 1PM. I could not get it to stay there without adding stabilizer which I did yesterday AM (one canister). I tested this level twice today since I had one old kit's worth and the new kit; first test CYA was 50 then using the new kit it tested less than 30! I had the test water in a measuring cup but ran both tests within 10 min using the tubes which came with each kit respectively. I am perplexed about this, I was happy with the first result but wonder why the second was so far off. From an answer by Carl about this chemical on another post I am thinking this chemical doesn't age much but, also...
My ph is still at the minimum and TA at 50. I am planning putting 3 smaller bottles of last years 6% bleach (which has degraded I know) in tonight, in hopes that I'll see the bottom of the deep end in the morning. I don't know if I've left out an important detail, let me know as I need advice from you folks.
Can I tell people it's safe to swim or is the high chlorine level and low ph going to rot flesh or suits - not worried much about hair since I'm the only one who swims underwater and I don't care what color it looks. -OR should we all wait until tomorrow and see if it's clearer. AND/OR anything else that might help. Can I go on to raisng ph levels now or tomorrow- or do I wait until clarity improves. I need this to happen ASAP because my Dad bought this bottle of blue clarifier and I'm afraid he'll use it when I'm out walking the dog or something (he's getting near that forgetful stage in his life, knows I am trying to educate myself about all this, might do it just to be ornery).
Karen

[duraleigh]

Karen,

Your chlorine is not staying in the pool because it is being consumed by organics.....per my earlier post, you MUST get your Cl level to 15ppm and keep replenishing back up to 15ppm 'til your water clears. 12ppm won't get it. (well, if you've got all Summer.....)

I see no mention that you ever brought it to 15 at dusk and kept it there overnight. If you did, do it again. You're "tiptoeing" up to your problem instead of jumping on it with both feet.

It's fine to swim in. It's possible you might fade a swimsuit but nobody's gonna' rot.

Synopsis....YOU NEED CHLORINE TO 15PPM AT DUSK!!!. KEEP IT THERE! BE PREPARED TO PUT MORE IN BEFORE YOU GO TO BED......BACK UP TO 15PPM (Well, I wasn't really yelling but I want you to get my point. )

[KLHink]

No you're right I did not mention - Got chlorine up to 15 for two nights but in AM it was never higher than 5 (one day it was 3). I will do better I am sure. I was encouraged to be able to make out the liner yesterday AM, and it was clearer again today. Between you, the 9 month old puppy and my dad with his blue bottle I have to stay on my toes. Thanks very much, I am listening, really.

[KLHink]

I tested this evening found I was at 10ppm, about sunset put in a small bottle of 6% (2.84 gal). My Dad complained about the cost of bleach. I invented a weighted cup on a string to get a deep sample without kneeling. Went over at midnight and tested - damn its dark out there- looked like I was at 15 to me - why can't we have a hand tester for this stuff (wish I could invent that). Anyway I still had a couple of quarts of old open bleach from last year (old Walmart - I had 4 bottles of the 5.14 liter size and there is no indication of strength - just says Great Value Ultra made in Canada - this years stuff is marked 6%). So I tossed that in before I split for my quarters. Tomorrow we will vacuum if it doesn't rain too hard.
Karen

[Watermom]

Test it as many times a day as you can - 3x a day is good, and each time add enough bleach to take it back up to 15. The key to clearing up problems is to sustain the high cl reading and not let it yo-yo up and down. Also, I am skeptical about your cya readings. Testing for it the day after it is added doesn't give you a reliable reading. After it has been a week after it was added, retest for it, (but not sooner since it takes that long to dissolve completely and you'll just be wasting reagent) and then post that reading. It could be that your cya is now much higher than you think and that may be why the pool isn't clearing. (Higher cya levels require higher cl readings to clear things up.) Run your pump 24/7 while you are trying to clear it.

[duraleigh]

about sunset put in a small bottle of 6% (2.84 gal).

2.84 gallons = 2 large bottles