Need Help!

[wxwmn02]

Just checked pool chem levels. TC = 8. I added bleach to bring it back up to 15. I will check tomorrow morning for new level. I am about out of test kit chemicals. Would a pool store have that?

Water is clearing. I can see down to 3rd step on ladder whereas before I could only see to 2nd step.

Can I get DE at pool store as well? Do I need to add Borax?

I will check for the other chem levels and get back to you.

[Watermom]

A pool store should have refills and DE. How many times a day are you testing and adding bleach? Since you are back in town, tomorrow, if I was you, I would test and add more bleach every 3-4 hours throughout the weekend until you get to where you are not losing more than 1ppm of cl overnight. And, run the pump 24/7. Are you watching your filter pressure?

I don't know if you need Borax or not. You didn't list your pH. Actually, post a whole set of current water testing results.

[wxwmn02]

I was planning on checking many times tomorrow. I plan on checking tomorrow morning before the sun hits the pool and then a couple more times during the day.

I need to check my pressure. I have only been home an hour so have only had time to check pool chemicals. I'll check the rest of the stuff when things calm down a little bit.

Current chem levels:
CH = 180
CYA = 52
TA = 90
PH = 7.2
FC = 8

I know the PH is low so I plan on adding stuff for that.

[Watermom]

You are actually ok with pH of 7.2 as long as it goes no lower. Sometimes, it seems that chlorine works better at clearing a pool when the pH is on the low end of the normal range.

[wxwmn02]

Things are on hold until I can get refills for the chemicals in my kit. Went to two pool stores yesterday and both were out of what I need. I have been adding bleach periodically to try and keep up the level even though I am unsure of what it is. I have a general idea of what it is because of the strips I have, but certainly don't know the exact level.

We've had a lot of rain lately so I am sure that it's affecting the Chlorine. Also, when I backwash, it doesn't appear to be working correctly so I am unsure how to fix that. Because of that I haven't put in D.E. because I'm afraid I won't be able to get it out by backwashing. I am hoping to take the valve in on Thursday to see what the problem is (if any) with that.

Any ideas on what could be wrong with the backwashing.

[Watermom]

Until you can get some refills, can you stop in at Walmart and pick up a 5-way test kit or at least an OTO kit? We can help you get by on one of those for a couple of days if necessary. You may have to order refills online.

Explain exactly what is going on with the backwashing and why you don't think it is working. To be able to help with that problem we need some more info.

[wxwmn02]

The amount of water that is coming out is pretty small. When I first opened the pool this year the water would gush out pretty fast, almost like a fire hose, but now it's not coming out much at all. Almost like at faucet speed.

It appears to be circulating correctly, but definitely not working correctly when it's backwashing. I took the valve head off to see if there was anything in there blocking the path of the water, but couldn't find anything. Then again, I wasn't able to get everything out that was under the valve head so maybe something is in there that's obscuring that path?

The nozzle that comes out of the valve head where the water comes out when backwashing is cracked so I have a new one to put on, but need a monkey wrench which I will get today.

I'll go by walmart today and pick up the 5 way kit.

[wxwmn02]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!! It helps to have the pool on the right setting. Had the pool on recirculate vs filter. Pool is clear.

[PoolDoc]

Amazing how that works.

I'd feel all superior here, except I've done that on a 240,000 gallon pool!

PoolDoc

[CarlD]

Yeah, the more we know the more we ASSUME we didn't mess up on the obvious stuff!