NJPools.club Community

First off, don't panic! I had this exact thing happen last summer when I was trying to save money by shocking my own pool instead of hiring someone. The purple color in the CH (calcium hardness) test usually means your chlorine levels are way too high right after shocking, and it's interfering with the test. It's not necessarily damaging your plaster - the test is just giving a false reading. Stop adding chemicals, let the chlorine level come down over 24-48 hours (sun helps in Nevada!), then retest. In the meantime, check if your water looks cloudy or if there's any visible damage to the plaster. Save your wallet and wait it out before calling a pro!

**Important health note here!** High chlorine levels can cause skin/eye irritation and respiratory issues if you swim too soon. Purple CH reading = chlorine interference = potentially unsafe swimming conditions. Here's my protocol: 1. **Test chlorine separately** - if you have strips or another test, check your free chlorine level immediately 2. **Wait 24-48 hours** as CurrentCaptain said, but also consider adding a chlorine neutralizer if levels are extremely high (sodium thiosulfate is what I use) 3. **Retest everything** - CH, pH, alkalinity, chlorine 4. **Monitor plaster** - high chlorine won't damage plaster directly, but imbalanced water chemistry over time will Remember: Your pool is essentially a giant bath - would you bathe in purple-testing water? No! Be patient and methodical.

Weekend warrior checking in! Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. Nevada sun + fresh shock = test kit chaos. Here's my Saturday fix: - **Chill out** - your plaster is fine unless you see actual etching or discoloration - **Run the pump** 24/7 to circulate and help dissipate chlorine - **Test in the morning** - after the sun's been on it - **If still purple tomorrow**, take a sample to Leslie's or Pinch A Penny - they'll test it for free and tell you exactly what's up Pro tip: Always shock at dusk, test in the morning. The purple will probably be blue by tomorrow. Welcome to pool ownership - first of many 'emergencies' that usually aren't!

Adding to SlideStar's point about free testing - this is the budget-friendly move! Most pool stores do free water tests, and they have better equipment than our basic kits. Take a sample in a clean container (not the one you shocked with!), get the printout, and THEN decide if you need to buy anything. Could save you $50+ in unnecessary chemicals. Also, Nevada tap water is hard anyway, so your CH was probably high before shocking - might need to address that long-term, but not an emergency.

**Document everything!** As a health-conscious person, I keep a pool log: - Date/time of shock - Chemicals used (brand, amount) - All test results before/after - Water appearance - Any physical symptoms if you accidentally swim in it (itchy skin, red eyes) This helps identify patterns and prevents future 'purple test' panic. Also, consider switching to a **Taylor test kit** - more accurate than basic Hayward strips for serious pool owners. The initial cost is higher but prevents chemical waste and misdiagnosis long-term. Your plaster and your health deserve precision!