New Pool Owner With High Iron

[labdi01]

I'm not doubting Marie at all. I was only relaying what I was told when I went to have my water tested. I was excited about the fact that I could actually swim in my pool based on chem levels - even though it doesn't look that great right now.

I was OK with getting the D.E. because I'd read several posts from other advisers in here that use it regularly with their sand filters and I wanted to try it.

I actually trust this pool guy - he doesn't try to push product on me. I know he actually owns a pool and his family owns the construction portion of this particular pool business. I just don't think he's as experienced with metals that the regular posters on this forum are. For example, he told me my pH was fine - and it is for a pool with no metals - but I'm still lowering it like Marie advised. I've done what Marie has instructed of me - and some of it matched what the pool guy told me to do (adding chlorine before color is gone, not adding more sequestrant, etc). I've even walked out of there without product - because he told me I didn't need anything.

My relaying what was said was in no way to contradict what anyone here has advised - I guess I wanted confirmation from the forum because I was happy about what I was told and maybe a part of me is 'testing' the pool guy - because it's always nice to hear that you haven't been bamboozled and there really are some honest people left in retail.

[CarlD]

OK,
Let's start again. Get us a full set of test numbers, including metal content. DO NOT ADD ANYTHING UNTIL THEN!

Your pool guy told you your FC was too high at 4ppm. In my judgement, that immediately disqualifies him to offer any advice. You cannot clear up a cloudy pool if you live by the rule that 3ppm is as high as you should go. 3-6ppm is normal FC for pool maintenance when your CYA (stabilizer) level is 30ppm.

You cannot pick and choose between contradicting advice. Either he's right or we are. You have to decide. MBar knows the metal problems better than anyone here with the possible exception of Chem_Geek or PoolDoc.

Tell the guy at the pool store you NOW need his help with the testing to monitor your water (after all you bought stuff from him--it's the least he can do) but don't buy ANYTHING ELSE until we see the results.

CarlD

[labdi01]

Hi Carl,

Thanks for you message.

Here are my numbers:

pH - 7.4
TA - 130
Cl - 4
FC - 4
CYA - 0
Iron - 0.5

I have had stabilizer in since last night when Marie advised I start the bleach - it's not completely dissolved yet (wondering if it takes a bit of time to register - ?). I haven't added anything else since last night (except D.E. in my sand filter).

The water looks a little darker brown to me and it remains pretty clear - but not sure if it looks darker because the sun is directly over the pool and out - and wasn't this am
(cloudy all am).

Thanks again to everyone for their time and help. I'm just new and anxious to swim.

[CarlD]

OK,
That's better.

I'm not the metal expert but I THINK an iron level of .5 isn't a problem. MBar knows better.

CYA takes DAYS to dissolve, and the older it is, the longer it takes! You may be a week before you get a good reading.

You STILL need to follow Mbar's advice and get your FC up to shock level (at least 10ppm) and keep it there to fight what you are growing. I would go as high as 15ppm because when your CYA begins to show, that will be the shock level. She said increase it slowly, and I would do so.

Please go back and re-read her post. I think it's still what you need with my few comments added.

Marie, if you could confirm my advice......Thanks!

[labdi01]

Thanks again, Carl!

Any advice on how much more bleach I should add today? I added 6 gallons yesterday, which brought me up to 4. (too fast? Not sure what 'slow' is and although anxious, I don't want to make things worse).

[mbar]

You water may have a greenish tint because there is some staining. Blue from the color of the liner, with the yellow stains can make the water look green, but so can algae Watermom is right - I meant Borax not baking soda. However your alkalinity is fine now. Your cya will take a while to measure in the water, so that is why I suggested to leave a puck in the skimmer so that some stabilized chlorine will in the water while the sun is out. It will be impossible to keep your water at shock levels on a sunny day without cya. Until your water holds chlorine within 1ppm overnight, then you are fighting something in your water, and you will end up with another algae bloom. I would suggest putting in a little calcium - sometimes it can help clear up the colored water. But most important keep the pool at shock level which is at least 10- 15ppm like Carl said until it holds overnight. It is true that getting the water balanced and without stain is tough for a while, but once it is done it is easier to maintain. Water is so sensitive to the chemicals, and it is hard to be sure how it will react to the different ones that are already in the pool - That's why we suggest getting the water sanitized first - then balance the rest. It is why it is so good to have a good test kit - this way you can take care of your own water. Try to relax - you will be swimming in a nice clean pool One gallon of bleach will raise the chlorine by 5ppms in 10,000 gallons of water.

[labdi01]

Thank you so much Marie for checking in on vacation. I hope you're having a great time with your sister.

So, should I add one gallon of bleach at a time (and how much time in between gallons) - sorry I'm a little dense.

I did put a puck in the skimmer like you said - should I replace each time it's dissolved?

I ordered the Taylor 2006 test this am - not sure when I'll have it - I'll bring water to pool store (30 mins away) every couple of days if that's acceptable). It seems the drop test I have is way off from pool store testing.