New Pool owner water chemistry

[sammm]

I've finally had it with granular shock and chlorine pucks and the like. After getting some green algae growing I've decided to make the switch to the BBB method.

I have just about drained off 12" of water at this point (since my CYA and Calcium levels were high - see earlier posts). Should I refill to normal levels first before I add some bleach the kill off the algae? I'm guessing the correct thing to do is refill, test the water and act accordingly.

[GraceByDesign]

Get some bleach in there as you are refilling. Otherwise you are just going to get into a worse mess. CarlD suggested 4 or even 8 gallons (to shock) of regular bleach and it sounds like you need to shock now!
You are going to need to shock to kill the algae anyway, might as well do it as you are filling.

It sounds like you are also in need of a GOOD test kit. The Taylor K-2006 is one option, or Leslies sells their own brand with Taylor reagents. There are a couple other good ones out there, too. Take charge of your pool!

[sammm]

Get some bleach in there as you are refilling. Otherwise you are just going to get into a worse mess. CarlD suggested 4 or even 8 gallons (to shock) of regular bleach and it sounds like you need to shock now!

Should I dump in 4 gallons of bleach to the existing water while refilling? Will it hurt if I pour in the pool directly, since my water level is below my skimmers right now. A good test kit is on my immediate to-get list. I have an un-opened box of shock to return and will swap for a test kit then!

[Watermom]

In your pool, each 3 quart jug of 6% bleach is going to raise your chlorine level by 2.5 ppm. It is OK to add bleach while you are filling, but just be sure to have some way to circulate it like stirring it around with a clean broom or something. Or maybe pouring it slowly in front of your hose as you are filling. After you refill and get things circulating, we'll need an updated cya reading to better advise you.

[sammm]

After draining 12" of water (approx. 1/4), my CYA readings are still off the charts. (I bought a good test kit at my LPS) My calcium has dropped to ~220 or so. The rest of my readings look great (as does the water). I have turned-off the in-line chlorinator and using the BBB method.

FC - 3
TC - 3
PH - 7.4
TA - 120
Calcium - 220
CYA - >100
Water Temp - ~80F

I guess the answer is to drain some more and try again. What are the downsides to a high CYA? I realize I would need to maintain a higher level of FC. Will the pool use more chlorine as well? More frequent maintenance?

Thanks to everyone for their help! I am learning, slowly but surely.

[Watermom]

Actually, some people run a high cya pool on purpose. One of my co-moderators, Aylad, does. I'll ask her to take a look at this thread.

[aylad]

What are the downsides to a high CYA? I realize I would need to maintain a higher level of FC. Will the pool use more chlorine as well? More frequent maintenance?

I run a high CYA pool, as mentioned before. I live in Louisiana, and have no shade at all on my pool. I find that by running my CYA at 80-90ppm, I actually have LESS pool maintenance to do. While a CYA level that high requires a higher level of residual chlorine to be effective, I find that I lose a LOT less chlorine to the sun daily. With lower CYA levels, I have to add bleach daily and still have a problem maintaining a good base level. With higher CYA levels, even in the hottest part of the summer I only add chlorine about twice a week.

There are other places on this forum where CYA levels have been debated, and one of the major negative arguments is the possibility that CYA causes cancer. May be true, may not be true. My hamburger meat, plastic wrap, children's sippy cups, the sun, soda, and many other things I use are supposed to cause cancer, too. I figure if I'm destined to have it, it'll happen. Until then, I'm enjoying my pool!!

Janet

[sammm]

I run a high CYA pool, as mentioned before. I live in Louisiana, and have no shade at all on my pool.

Thanks for the info Janet, I appreciate it. Living in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, I know all about sunshine and heat. My pool is on the east side of my house and only sees shade in the late afternoon.
I'll monitor my chlorine usage and see how it goes. With your CYA being between 80-90ppm, do you keep your FC between 5-10ppm (using the Best Guess CYA Chart) ?