First water test after opening... Need your input.

[kodiak1120]

Hi everyone,

I opened my pool last week and I've done my first test after opening. I added 5 gallons of 12.5% sodium hypochlorite and I have two floaters in the pool with four pucks in each. I did my first full test tonight and I'd like comments on the results:

FC - 18 ppm
CC - 0 ppm
TA - 40 ppm
Ph - less than 7.0 (yellow)
CYA - 0?? (water was pretty clear and the dot at the bottom of the tube was easily visible)

Obviously, my Ph is a problem, but I'm wondering if that's because my FC is so high. Also, I'm still not detecting any CYA, which is weird because we bought the house in September and the prior owner (I think) used pucks exclusively, and we used pucks for one month last season before closing the pool. I plan on using the pucks until my CYA comes up.

Let me know what you think I should adjust. Thanks,

Kevin

 

[Bama Rambler]

First you need to get the TA up to about 70. Then retest the pH once the FC gets to about 10 ppm and adjust it.

 

[duraleigh]

Obviously, my Ph is a problem, but I'm wondering if that's because my FC is so high

No, the pH test skews to the high side in the presence of high FC so follow bama's advice and get your TA up some first and then adjust your pH so it's in the 7's

 

[kodiak1120]

Thanks... the pool calculator tells me I need to add 211 oz (by weight) of baking soda. That would be 13 lbs of baking soda. Does that sound about right for a 30k gallon pool?

Kevin

 

[JasonLion]

Yep, that sounds exactly right.

 

[kodiak1120]

Ok. Thanks... looks like Amazon has a 13.5 lb bag of Arm & Hammer baking soda for $18 with free shipping. Funny, I noticed there's a picture of a swimming pool on the label. I didn't know the BBB method was that mainstream.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SK ... WWS502XCR7

 

[JamesW]

At most supermarkets, you can find baking soda for less than $1.00 per pound.

Costco has 13.5 lbs for $6.05 ($0.448 per pound).

 

[kodiak1120]

Yeah, I just read some reviews on Amazon that said that's not such a great price... I don't have a Costco near me, but I'll check Wal-Mart. Thanks,

Kevin

 

[kodiak1120]

By the way, any recommendation on how to add the baking soda? I was going to try to dissolve it in a bucket and then dump it into the deep end in front of one of the returns.

Kevin

 

[Bama Rambler]

It dissolves fast enough that you can just pour it slowly in front of a running return.

I buy 12 lb bags of baking soda at Walmart for less than $8.00.

 

[kodiak1120]

Thanks guys... I'll add it tonight and test tomorrow. Once my TA is up, then I'll retest my Ph and see where it is. If it needs to be raised, I'll add borax.

Kevin

 

[kodiak1120]

opps.

 

[kodiak1120]

Just to confirm, pool calculator is telling me I need to add 174 oz (by weight) of borax to increase my ph from 7.0 to 7.5... that's about 2 1/4 boxes of 20 Mule Team Borax (76 oz box). Does that sound right? Also, how do I add it? Predissolve in a bucket and add in front of a return jet? Thanks again,

Kevin

 

[CyclingCraig]

Also, how do I add it? Predissolve in a bucket and add in front of a return jet?

Yup that is what I do.. Actually I have a bucket that I drilled 2 small holes in near the bottom. I scoop up some water from the pool, and let the stream from the bucket fall in front of the return jet. Then I add my Borax or soda ash depending on what I'm doing. and give it a good mix (You may have to do this in steps since you are adding so much).

This lets it stream into the pool at a slow rate and you don't have to monitor it...

-Craig

 

[kodiak1120]

Good idea. Thanks for the info. I think I'll give that a try.

Kevin

 

[Butterfly]

Just to confirm, pool calculator is telling me I need to add 174 oz (by weight) of borax to increase my ph from 7.0 to 7.5... that's about 2 1/4 boxes of 20 Mule Team Borax (76 oz box). Does that sound right? Also, how do I add it? Predissolve in a bucket and add in front of a return jet? Thanks again,

Kevin

Re-check the pH calculations and be sure to include the current TA.

Also, when you are making large changes, only add about 2/3 of the amount, circulate and re-test. Then you can fine tune.