Hi everyone,
My pump recently broke and tripped the breaker. I replaced the pump but couldn’t get it to work with a heavy-duty extension cord. I can’t get an electrician in to fix the breaker right now.
My pool chemistry is off:
- FC: 3
- TC: 3
- pH: 7.0
- TA: 40
- CH: 160
- CYA: 30
There’s a bit of leaves/debris, but the water is clear and blue. I have an inground, 25,000-gallon pool with a mesh cover.
Can I close the pool as-is and just deal with the extra cleanup in the spring?
Any advice would be appreciated!
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You definitely need to raise the alkalinity because the pool is corrosive and could harm the surface if left untreated. We aim for a 120 ppm alkalinity level for all pools at closing. I’d also be concerned that the pH might be below 7.0, as many test kits don’t detect levels lower than that. Did you perform a base demand test?
Is the pool made of concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl? If it’s vinyl, avoid adding chlorine unless you can ensure it’s circulated properly.
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@AquaAdventurer Thank you. For a chlorine pool, is it safe to increase the alkalinity without running the pump for circulation? There’s no base demand test available.
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@Umbrielle Are you referring to concrete pools? Most pools use chlorine.
It’s okay to increase alkalinity without circulation. We typically add bicarbonate right before putting on the cover.
I would recommend retesting the pH and performing a base demand test. I wouldn’t be comfortable with a pH level below 7.2, and even that is on the low side.
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@AquaAdventurer Apologies, I meant Vinyl. Thanks
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@Umbrielle You definitely need to increase those levels, or you might end up with wrinkles next year.
To be honest, and I mean no offense, but it’s possible that the liner’s lifespan has already been reduced. On the bright side, I’ve seen much worse numbers.
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@AquaAdventurer That’s unfortunate. It was stable all summer until the pump failed. At least it’s good to be forewarned.
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Use liquid chlorine to elevate the chlorine levels for shock treatment. Then, use a sump pump to reduce it back to the normal level and blow out the lines as usual.
Replace the pump in the spring.
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