Pool builder delivered my equipment today. Current schedule is to begin digging on Thu. Included with the equipment is this test kit by Oreq. Will this be adequate for TFP or should I purchase a Taylor or TF100 kit?
New fiberglass pool owner
- Thread starter mah2496
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,754
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
I would still recommend the TF-100 w/ magnetic speedstir. The bottle sizes are still a better value and should about all season. That kit is decent and equivalent to the K-2005, but has fewer tests for the season and does not include the FAS-DPD for accurate/elevated FC tests. You can hang on to it as a back up or for extra tests.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,754
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
What options besides the speed stir are must haves with the TF-100 for salt water pools?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,754
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
In your case, you'll want the 1766 salt kit. You might also consider the XL Option is you can afford it. In your first year, it's nice to have extra reagent for some items just because you're getting used to all the testing.
TxSplash, great info. Can you recommend what chemicals I should keep on handle to maintain my water?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,754
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
I always have regular bleach in my dry/cool laundry room ready to go just in case (HEB's regular Bravo). I also have a gallon of muriatic acid (stored outside away from everything else) for times when my pH needs a little knocking down. 
Those are my two primary products. Easy stuff. Each evening when I clean out my skimmer sock from all the bugs and dog hair, I add about a 1/2 gallon of bleach to my pool (just under 18K) which equates to about 2.5 ppm of FC increase. That's my pool's diet unless it's sick. 
The acid I may use once a week or so, not much. But you never want the pH getting high (scale).
Each pool is different, so some may require other adjustments, but that's when we go back to the Recommended Chemicals listing (link below) and adjust those items as well.
Those are my two primary products. Easy stuff. Each evening when I clean out my skimmer sock from all the bugs and dog hair, I add about a 1/2 gallon of bleach to my pool (just under 18K) which equates to about 2.5 ppm of FC increase. That's my pool's diet unless it's sick. The acid I may use once a week or so, not much. But you never want the pH getting high (scale).Each pool is different, so some may require other adjustments, but that's when we go back to the Recommended Chemicals listing (link below) and adjust those items as well.
i have a very similar pool (viking coronado--13k gallons). get yourself the TFT-100 with salt drop kit and speedstir. read through pool school and take ownership of your own water chemistry. it's a lot easier than most people think. and nobody cares more about your pool water than you yourself.
the SWG makes life pretty simple once you get a handle on pump run times and daily chlorine needs. enjoy your new pool--and post pics once it's completed!
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agree with TexasSplash above. i always have a couple gallons liquid chlorine bleach and a gallon of muriatic acid on hand. really the only thing i've added (along with 2 bags of salt to start the season) in a year.
the SWG makes life pretty simple once you get a handle on pump run times and daily chlorine needs. enjoy your new pool--and post pics once it's completed!
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agree with TexasSplash above. i always have a couple gallons liquid chlorine bleach and a gallon of muriatic acid on hand. really the only thing i've added (along with 2 bags of salt to start the season) in a year.
man. I am so happy for you that rock didnt go down deeper. Didnt lool natural. Probably burried it there when building.
It’s definitely natural and solid/harder rock the deeper you go. In this part of Texas we’re lucky if we have more than 10-12” of topsoil before we hit limestone. Good for structural stability of homes, bad for anyone digging. I’m a heavy commercial general contractor and we hit limestone that is seems as hard as granite in this area.
Concrete sub keeps failing to show up. They were supposed to start on Thursday, then Fri, followed by Sat, and now I’m told they “should” start Mon.
Started up the pump equipment on Fri evening. I’m running the auto chlorinator right now since the SWG has not been installed. Took FC and pH readings today using the K-1000 block. pH pinkness appeared to be between the 8.2 and 7.8 range. FC yellowness appeared to be on the lowest 0.5-1 range. Should I begin adding chemicals or wait for the SWG to be installed?
Started up the pump equipment on Fri evening. I’m running the auto chlorinator right now since the SWG has not been installed. Took FC and pH readings today using the K-1000 block. pH pinkness appeared to be between the 8.2 and 7.8 range. FC yellowness appeared to be on the lowest 0.5-1 range. Should I begin adding chemicals or wait for the SWG to be installed?
I would add the chlorine right away as well as the CYA (Stabilizer). I have a set of links I am going to share. I put the together for new pool owners:
Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule
Pool School - Recommended Levels
Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals
Pool Math
Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Make sure to ask any and all questions you might have no matter how small! We have all been where you are at one point.
Once you get your SWG hooked up it will be easier. Until then you need to add chlorine each day to keep the algae monster away!
Kim
Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule
Pool School - Recommended Levels
Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals
Pool Math
Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Make sure to ask any and all questions you might have no matter how small! We have all been where you are at one point.
Once you get your SWG hooked up it will be easier. Until then you need to add chlorine each day to keep the algae monster away!
Kim
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,754
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Subs.... Ugh. You never know what you'll get, and the pool companies are no dummies when their contract specifically mentions how they are not liable for the subs. :gone: At least that's how it was in my case. Still, nice to see a watering hole back there. As Kim said, don't wait on those guys when it comes to some chlorine (bleach) and stabilizer. This sun will change it from clear to green in no time. Congrats!
I don’t like that they didn’t strip the topsoil where the concrete will be when they did the original excavation. I really hope they just don’t form and pour directly on top of that.
Chris! I knew something was "off" but could not put my finger on it..............that is it! That ground work is not done at all! It is not ready for the concrete like it is now. Maybe you have it set for them to do the ground prep but I would make sure before they show up and get to pouring.