Quote:
Originally Posted by TNY71
Have an above ground 19000 gallon pool with sand filter. Shocked and algea -60 over the last 3 days. Took the water to be tested..No chlorine...getting ready to winterize...want to use household grade bleach...to clear up water and close pool....we have no other history of pool but from when we took cover off....can we get by with bleach..until early Spring when we are ready to re-open...if so ...how much..
Thank you
TNY
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There is more to winterizing a pool than just adding in bleach or chlorine. The chemistry needs to be balanced. So you will need to get it balanced just as if you intended to swim in it. Once it is balanced, then you can drain and close the pool following winterization principles depending upon your region.
If you just dump chlorine in, there is a risk that you will stain the liner if the chlorine isn't circulated for a period of time. They make a non-chlorinated shock that I typically use when winterizing.
Here's what we do to winterize our pool (We have a 30k gallon 20x40 in ground, but same principle applies)
1. Balance the chemicals a week in advance.
2. Add winterizing kit (stain inhibitors, chlorine free shock, etc...)
3. Brush and vacuum the pool thoroughly and then backwash the filter
4. Drain the pool down 6 inches below the lowest return/jet
5. Remove the jets
6. Blow out the lines using compressed air and then plug the jet and return lines in the pool
7. Remove all drain plugs from the sand filter and pump (both pump side and return) and set the multiport valve to Winter (open position between filter and waste)
8. Remove ladders, etc... from the water
9. Install the safety cover
We don't use the time released floater, so we have to deal with a lightly tinted green water come spring, but it is usually very easy to clear up.
As for using regular bleach, a pool company in Chattanooga gave us the recipe that they use to maintain a pool our size and we will be using it next spring instead of all the pool store chemicals. Keep in mind this is what they gave us to maintain a 30k gallon pool. If you intend to use this formula for anything other than that, you'll need to do the calculation adjustments.
Shock the pool using 4 gallons of bleach (1 gal is equal to 2/3 lb granulated shock). 1 gallon adds 2 PPM of unstable chlorine to 30k gallons. Raise the chlorine level to above 6 PPM and do not swim for a few hrs (we shock at night) to let the chlorine deplete back down to a safe level by morning. Only have to shock once per two weeks instead of once per week with granulated shock. To maintain stable chlorine we will still use tablets. The goal is to maintain 1-3 PPM between shocks.
Add 14 grams of 20 Mule Team Borax around the edge of the pool to maintain PH per week. If PH is below 7.2, add the entire box. and check until the PH is between 7.2-7.6 PPM.
If alkalinity is low, add 5 oz of baking soda at night and check every day until it is between 120-200 PPM.
You can use Copper Sulfate in place of the expensive algaecides and can find it at the Farmers Co-op in your area for about $8-$16 depending on the size. Do not let kids get near this. Add one teaspoon full every 2-3 weeks while shocking by pouring it into the return basket so that it is pulled through the filter.
Current cost per month - $75-$80
Estimated cost per month: $36-$40
1 gallon of box store brand bleach - $3 (I need 4 gallons twice per month) $24
20 mule team borax (65 oz) - $5.50 (I need 14 grams twice per month, or .49 grams) $.08
Baking Soda (4 lb) - $2.25 (I need 5 oz per week) $.16
Chlorine tablets (50 lb bucket, about 114 per bucket)- $110 (I need 3 per week) $12
Copper sulfate (1 pint) $16.95 - (I need 2 teaspoons per month, or .33 oz) $.34
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Wash
