I'm a new user, my intro is in the new user area. I've done quite a bit of reading, but I was wanting some real world results. My pool will be about 14,000 gallons, and I'm just wondering about how much bleach, and other chemicals I should have on hand to keep the readings in check. I was also curious about where to get soda ash. Everything else I know where I can find it.
BBB method tips
- Thread starter guitarman023
- Start date
It's hard to say how much bleach you will go through in a week. I keep 4 jugs on hand during the season. I use two jugs a week. Maybe a little more if there is more demand. I would think you should be in the same ball park as I am. We're close the same water volume. If your PH is pretty steady you won't go thru a lot of acid. My PH is rock steady. Never had to add acid. As for the soda ash, you can get that from a water specialist business. They usually deal with in home water softener's and things of that nature. I have a soda ash injection system in my home due to acidic well water. That's where I get my soda ash.
Wait to see how things go before you stock up on things you might not need. You will need bleach.?
Wait to see how things go before you stock up on things you might not need. You will need bleach.?
Don't go buying anything until you know you need it. Hardly anyone needs to raise the pH ... unless are using tablets.
If you could add your location, pool and equipment info to your sig it will help us help you. ?
This is the central principle of the TFPC method. Only put in the pool what the pool needs. You know you will need bleach, so you can have some on hand, but don't bother buying anything else yet until you test the water and figure out what it needs.
If you need it (though you likely won't), I've seed soda ash in the laundry section. Arm and Hammer calls it super washing soda. It's just 100% sodium carbonate. You can use Borax to raise pH as well.
I believe the general rule of thumb is that you will lose around 2FC a day due to sun and use. Using this rule for a 14,000 gallon pool and a CYA of 40 you will want to keep your FC at 5. Lets say when you test at night you FC is at 3. In order to bring it back up you will need to use 42 oz of 8.25% bleach. So if you get your bleach from Walmart or Costco (they both sell 8.25% in 128 oz jugs) a single jug will last approximatley 3 days.
I believe the cost per jug is around $3. So you are looking at a little more than $6 a week in bleach.
Please keep in mind that this is very general and makes a few assumptions. However I believe this should be enough to give you a good idea.
Do you have a water feature such as a water fall? If so I believe you can use the water fall to raise your PH naturally.
I believe the cost per jug is around $3. So you are looking at a little more than $6 a week in bleach.
Please keep in mind that this is very general and makes a few assumptions. However I believe this should be enough to give you a good idea.
Do you have a water feature such as a water fall? If so I believe you can use the water fall to raise your PH naturally.
Water temp comes into play with FC loss. Water temps in the 90's, full sun on the pool most of the day and some young swimmers peeing in the pool, your gonna lose more than 2 ppm of FC for that day. With a CYA level of 40 and an FC level of 5 to start the day in that scenario, which could happen fairly often depending on where you live, you would be below your min FC level by late afternoon. There's no wiggle room. I'd rather not be at the min FC level. That's why I shoot for at least an FC level of 7ppm with a CYA level of 40. That leaves you wiggle room so you don't fall below your min.
So weekly bleach usage is going to very difficult to predict for somebody. Every pool is different.
So weekly bleach usage is going to very difficult to predict for somebody. Every pool is different.
sorry about not having pool specs yet. I'm getting the pool tomorrow, and I'll find out what model it is when I get there to tear down. What I know right now is that it is a AG 15x33ft oval, 4ft deep. I'll measure it tomorrow to make sure that's an accurate measurement. I'm just doing the research now to try and be ahead of the curve when it comes time to install it and open it. My location is south east ohio. thanks for the tips! i think i know what test kit to buy and how to partially bury the pool, and many other things I've learned from reading. Pretty excited that bleach is an alternative to chlorine tablets.
Bleach, liquid chlorine or an SWG is the best way to go to chlorinate your pool. No tabs.
I forgot that you didn't have the pool yet. When you get it up and ready to fill, let us know and we'll get you started off on the right foot. Don't forget your test kit ! ?
I forgot that you didn't have the pool yet. When you get it up and ready to fill, let us know and we'll get you started off on the right foot. Don't forget your test kit ! ?
Welcome! 
There's only a few things I would say to buy now. A test kit is first priority. Spend the money now and get yourself a TF100 and a speedstir, and salt strips if you're going to use a salt water generator. Bleach, acid, baking soda -- they're all easy to come by on short notice. Stabilizer is not; you know you'll need close to six pounds of it, and it doesn't go bad, so start watching for start-of-season sales, or a certain percentage off coupon at the big box store, no sales tax day, anything to save a few bucks. Start looking at prices in stores, see who has pool chemicals, do your comparison shopping now. The same thing goes for the equipment - the thermometer, pole, skimmer net, vacuum. You'll need those things. Look for the big sale.
You don't want to stockpile bleach too far in advance because it loses strength just sitting. And since you're starting with tap water, you won't need a whole bunch anyway since you're not killing algae. When you leave to get away from the blue language the guys are using during setup
, that's when you can buy the bleach. A few gallons is plenty to start.
There's only a few things I would say to buy now. A test kit is first priority. Spend the money now and get yourself a TF100 and a speedstir, and salt strips if you're going to use a salt water generator. Bleach, acid, baking soda -- they're all easy to come by on short notice. Stabilizer is not; you know you'll need close to six pounds of it, and it doesn't go bad, so start watching for start-of-season sales, or a certain percentage off coupon at the big box store, no sales tax day, anything to save a few bucks. Start looking at prices in stores, see who has pool chemicals, do your comparison shopping now. The same thing goes for the equipment - the thermometer, pole, skimmer net, vacuum. You'll need those things. Look for the big sale.
You don't want to stockpile bleach too far in advance because it loses strength just sitting. And since you're starting with tap water, you won't need a whole bunch anyway since you're not killing algae. When you leave to get away from the blue language the guys are using during setup
, that's when you can buy the bleach. A few gallons is plenty to start.
Here is a little tool to use to compare bleach and liquid chlorine prices. http://poncatechsquad.com/dan/calc/chlorine/ ?