Good morning!
Catching-up on your questions:
- Any chemicals the techs added to your pool should be mixed. Hopefully the pump is moving water good now, so you may need to help by brushing the walls/floor just to dislodge algae and sediment that has been there for a while.
- If the gauge doesn't work, you can replace them quite easily. Local pool store will have generic gauges, but many folks really like the glycerin-filled gauges available on TFtestkits.com.
- The recirculate comment was based on a filter with a multiport valve. There should be a recirculate setting that basically allows water to bypass the filter when needed. In the early stages, while you are removing heavy debris, it may come-in handy. Try checking water flow from the skimmer to the return just by changing the multiport valve to filter, then recirculate, etc to see if there are any changes in flow.
- Don't forget to update your signature.
- Based on your first tests, I don't see any reason to change-out any water.
- Change the sand? No, not at this point. Sand lasts millions of years, so as long as no crazy pool store additives were added that may have compromised the sand, it should be okay. You may need to perform a good deep clean though as noted on the TFP
Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter page.
I've looked at the pics you linked, and I see the poolside skimmer that looks very still with no movement. I also see the valve that controls the suction from two pipes. I'm assuming you have a main drain, is that correct? So if you have some water flowing back to the pool from the return jets, you know some water is getting sucked from either the skimmer or the main drain. Also, have you backwashed your filter yet to clean it? It may be good to do to ensure water is flowing through the inside of the filter properly. Remember the poolside skimmer will only catch surface debris that sits on the water before it sinks. It should be sucking water in though. Does the water in the skimmer change at all when you change the valve positions?
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As for the chemical tests themselves, here's what you will want to do once you know the equipment is operating properly:
1 - Increase FC to 10 with regular bleach and retest in 10 minutes. If it dropped lower than 5 in 10 minutes, add more bleach to get the FC back to 10 and repeat until it holds for at least 10 minutes.
2 - Once the FC is holding for at least 10 minutes, increase your CYA with stabilizer to ensure you are at least reaching a CYA of 30. Here are some CYA testing and stabilizer tips:
CYA Testing:
Proper lighting is critical for the CYA test, so you want to test for CYA outside on a bright sunny day. Taylor recommends standing outside with your back to the sun and the view tube in the shade of your body. Use the mixing bottle to combine/gently mix the required amounts of pool water and R-0013 reagent, let sit for 30 seconds, then gently mix again. Then, while holding the skinny tube with the black dot at waist level, begin squirting the mixed solution into the skinny tube. Watch the black dot until it completely disappears. Once it disappears, record the CYA reading. After the first test, you can pour the mixed solution from the skinny view tube back to the mixing bottle, shake, and do the same test a second, third, or fourth time to instill consistency in your technique, become more comfortable with the testing, and validate the CYA reading.
Adding CYA:
To increase CYA via granular stabilizer, place the required amount as calculated by the
Poolmath calculator into a white sock and place in the poolside skimmer basket. For those concerned about suction flow to the pump, suspending the sock near a return jet or from a floating device will also suffice. Best never to allow undissolved granules to rest directly against the pool surface. Squeeze the sock periodically to help it dissipate. Once dissolved, consider your CYA adjusted to that programmed (target) level. CYA test readings should show a rise in 24-48 hours, however some pools may experience a longer delay to fully register. Best to confirm final CYA in about 5-7 days before adding any more stabilizer/conditioner.
When you get to the point where you add stabilizer to increase CYA to 30, then increase the FC to "12" which is your official SLAM level. Follow the instructions on the SLAM page (link below) and let us know if you have any questions.