Pool problems.

[localfinesse]

A couple of things are making it difficult to know what to tell you to help. Your cya readings are all over the place. It makes a difference in how much chlorine we recommend that you add. Also, we need to know what your cl level is. Not just 5+. Can you use the dilution method described above and try and get a more defined reading? Also, try your cya test again. I know your pool store did it for you, but many pool stores give rather "shaky" readings and we are pretty apprehensive to rely on them. Someone else can better advise you about cleaning cartridge filters. I have never had one.

I know my CYA reading have been all over the place. In the past I have relied on the pool store. So I may be doing it wrong. I should slowly put drops in the canister waiting for the black dot to completely disappear correct? When the poll store does the test for me they stop when you can faintly see the dot. When I test it I keep going until I can't see any black dot at all. Which is the correct way? I just tested the water again and I came up with CYA about 70. That is when the dot completely went away.

Thanks for all your patience

[Watermom]

You are correct. You take the reading when you can no longer see the dot. So, we'll assume that your cya is 70. With a cya that high, you'll have to run higher than normal chlorine levels to kill algae and subsequently to keep it from coming back once it is gone. Take a look at the chart at the following link. You need to shock to 20ppm and try and hold it there to clear your pool. Test 3x a day and each time, add enough bleach to raise it back up to 20. After the algae is gone, you'll need to maintain your chlorine levels between 5-10 all the time. In a 20,000 gallon pool, every 2 quarts (half gallon) of 6% bleach will raise your chlorine level by about 1.5ppm.

I really think you should consider buying Ben's testkit at the www.poolsolutions.com website especially since it will allow you to test high chlorine levels which you are going to need with high cya. Most other kits you can buy can only test up to about 5. Well worth the money and what most of us use. Another option you have after you clear your pool is to do a partial drain and lower your cya. If you replace half your water, that would put your cya at about 35 which would be good. But, that is a lot of water to replace. You may just decide to live with the high cya.

Hang in there and keep hitting it with bleach. We'll stay with you until you get your problem taken care of.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=365

[localfinesse]

Thanks,

But what about the
Total Dissolved Solids - 2500, Phosphates - 500, and how high my total hardness is. Would I need to drain my pool to correct these things?

What is so bad if the 3 things above are high? Will it hurt my pool at all? If it would I would rather drain some of the water.

Thanks again.

[localfinesse]

Can anyone help me on the last question I posted? I would like to refill the pool tomorrow if I have to.

thanks again.

Brad

[localfinesse]

I ended up draining about 1/4 of the pool and am in the process of filling it back up. I will report my results when it is full.