We have an inground 20,000 gallon vinyl liner pool. I got it up & running on June 1st, green as usual (sigh), swept, backwashed, filled automatic chlorinator, added 10 gallons liquid chlorine, water blue but cloudy the next day, added 32 oz algicide and here it is a week later and it is still blue but cloudy. I run my filter 24 hours a day all summer long as recommended by the pool company that installed, been sweeping daily, backwashing once or twice a day. I use Biogard chemicals except for the inital gallons of chlorine because it is so much cheaper than tons of Burnout-35. I did a dipstick yesterday and it showed free chlorine of 5, pH 7.5, and total alkalinity of 180. I took the 40 minute drive to the pool store with a sample to see whatelse I need to do and here is my water analysis:
Temp: 75
Sat. Index: 0
TDS: 1300
CYA: 100
Tot Chlorine: 5.8
Free Chlorine: 5.1
pH: 7.6
Tot Alkalinity: 134
Adj. Tot Alkalinity: 104
Tot Hardness: 208
Copper/Iron/Mag etc: all 0
They recommended adding 15 lbs of Balance Pak to increase the total alkalinity (5 lbs at a time with 4-6 hours between doses), then wait 2 hours and add 1 pint muriatic acid, then after sundown add 2 bags of Oxysheen (because I have combined chlorine but my free chlorine is high.)
I was concerned about adding so much Balance Pak because of my higher reading of TA at home so I added (2) 4 lb boxes 6 hours apart yesterday. Today my water is even cloudier and the water irritates my skin when I put my hand in the pool. My dipstick shows TA in 240 range and my pH at 8.4 after adding the pint of acid. I waited a few hours and added another pint of acid, then another pint 2 hours after that and the dipstick shows TA 180 and pH between 7.5-7.8 now.
I know a dipstick is just a rough guide and the analysis should be what I go by but I am having a hard time convincing myself to add 7 more lbs. of Balance Pak to increase the alkalinity even more...I would like to pour the rest the of the gallon of muriatic acid in the pool instead (in 1 pint increments, of course.) I am getting frustrated as the family is pushing to swim but we got a late start opening due to daily rain for over a week. I probably can't get back up to the pool store until Tuesday of next week - just wish someone could tell me the secret to a crystal clear pool in less time!
