Balance Water Then Shock?

[atripodi24]

Hello TFP!

So we opened our pool ourselves for the first time today, in the past we have used a company to do it since we didn't know anything as first time pool owners. We are entering our 4th summer with the pool. It has a vinyl lining.

I tested the water after we opened it and it was as follows(I had the Taylor K2006 kit):

FC- 0
PH- 6.8
TA- 40
CH- 70
CYA- 30

So I looked up what order to add what I needed to add based on the Pool Math app. Most websites say to balance your TA and PH first before shocking. TFP is our main go to, since we spent so much money the first summer, so that's why I am coming here for advice.

I added the stuff to increase the TA and PH at around 4:30 PM. Should I be waiting until the morning before adding the shock? Or should I only be waiting a couple of hours? We obviously want to avoid algae, but also, don't want to waste the chlorine with the water not being balanced properly. Also, because we have a vinyl pool, everything I am reading is that we really don't need to raise our CH, I just want to make sure that is accurate. And then one last question, should we be adding a Metal Out type product?

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
What chemical and how much did you add to adjust your TA and pH?
What does the water look like?
Follow the FC/CYA Levels and put liquid chlorine in the pool to raise your FC into the Target range. Let us know if your daily FC consumption is over 3 ppm.

I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Pool School eBook.

 

[mknauss]

You are correct, CH is not a concern.
On the metal out, does your fill water have metals?

 

[atripodi24]

Welcome to the forum!
What chemical and how much did you add to adjust your TA and pH?
What does the water look like?
Follow the FC/CYA Levels and put liquid chlorine in the pool to raise your FC into the Target range. Let us know if your daily FC consumption is over 3 ppm.

I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Pool School eBook.

I used about 36 oz of sodium carbonate and about 70 oz of sodium bicarbonate. Water is a little cloudy, but my husband has been vacuuming and stirring up all the Crud. I do have the liquid chlorine (it's all we use) and was going to wait until the PH and TA came up. My main question is basically if I should wait until the morning or just a couple of hours to add the liquid chlorine. I already went to the FC/CYA calculator and it told me to add 3 gallons.

Also, to answer your other question, we didn't have to add any water to the pool when were opened it, the water level is actually perfect. 1,

 

[mknauss]

Add the chlorine now.
Monitor to see if a SLAM is needed.

 

[atripodi24]

Add the chlorine now.
Monitor to see if a SLAM is needed.

Thanks! One last question, on the SLAM page, it says to test not more than once per hour, but at least twice a day. What is ideal? And how long after adding the liquid chlorine should I test again?

Thanks again, this site has been a lifesaver for us and has made maintaining our pool a breeze.

 

[mknauss]

If you have visible algae, you should be testing every 2 hours or so and raising your FC back to SLAM level. If the FC holds pretty well, you can lengthen out the time between tests. Typically it is best if you test 3 or 4 times per day during a SLAM, until the pool water is crystal clear and you pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

 

[atripodi24]

If you have visible algae, you should be testing every 2 hours or so and raising your FC back to SLAM level. If the FC holds pretty well, you can lengthen out the time between tests. Typically it is best if you test 3 or 4 times per day during a SLAM, until the pool water is crystal clear and you pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

Perfect, thank you!!!