How do I keep my swimming pool clean?
You do not need to drain the pool. You should remove the feces. You should check your chlorine levels, and make sure you boost it up to 3-4ppm at least. Superchlorination not a bad idea. And related to that, run the filter for a few extra hours so the water is well filtered.
How much muriatic acid should i use and how soon can we swim again??
Lol, had a chuckle reading some of these answers. Okies, first off, your pool pro would have told you how much to add, or at least he should have, given that he tested for Ph as well as TA. I can't tell you how much to add, because I don't see what your Ph and TA currently are. So anyone that tries to tell you, given the info you have provided, how much to add...is a loony tune. Second part of your question. If the filtration system is on, and it ought to be, the kids can jump in the pool within 10 minutes. The little bit that you will have added to that pool will have diluted totally, in that time frame.. If you post some addition info, such as the water analysis results I can tell more, but as it is, that's it with what I'm given. I'll put this on my watch list, if you update it. Edit: Okies, see the update. TA is total alkalinity, it's actually the most important thing to test for, your pool pro would have tested for it, when you took your sample in. It helps get your Ph in line, without it we're gonna have to wing it. Your chlorine may show to be ok, but in reality only part of it's working. Your Ph being elevated is to blame. You also mention you swapped filters, I take it that it is now a sand filter? To fix: need to get that Ph down, backwash your filter then add about 2 liters of acid ( half a gallon approx for you Americans). Put it in directly in front of your return. Allow to circulate, hopefully with the Ph dropping your clarifier will start to work as well. Everything always hinges on having your chemistry good, before adding anything to fix other problems. That clarifier, like your chlorine don't stand a chance until your water is in balance. Give it 24 hours to circulate and check your Ph again. It ought to be more manageable now and your pool should show signs of clearing. Backwash again and If the Ph is now 7.2- 7.6 hammer it with shock, preferably near dusk,, you'll get more bang for your buck as there's no UV knocking out the chlorine
How do you start a heavily planted aquarium?
I want to add moire live plants to my 30g cube tank. It has some already but I want to make it heavily planted so how do I start it? 1)is it necessary to quarantine all live plants that I get and driftwood? 2)whats the best place to buy live plants;petco,petsmart or online? If online then what site? 3)i currently got black sand in the tank(20lbs) so is that enough? 4)is sand okay for a planted tank?or is gravel better? 5)is there any other special equipment I need?such as CO2 or can I just use CO2. Tablets and API leaf zone? 6)what type of light is best for it like the ones from zoo med? 7)i saw some light strips that say they encourage plant growth but they were only 15 watts so. Does it have to be stronger? 8) also what are some good plants I currently got hornwort,pennywort,sword plant,and some other ones like tall grass that reaches the surface, but whatvare some other good ones 9)is 12 hours of light a day,enough?