Pool Just Opened - A Few Q’s

[TogaFam]

Hi - We just opened our pool on Friday and have a few questions:

The water is green and we have a lot of leaves and other tree debris on the bottom. We can see the bottom in the shallow end. Should we vacuum and brush now or work on clearing the water first?

We added 5 gals of liquid chlorine yesterday since FC was basically zero. Should we start the SLAM process now?

What is recommended for a water testing kit? We’re currently using a SPARCO 7-way test strip kit.

Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

You need to follow the SLAM Process. To do that, you need a proper test kit, see Test Kits Compared. I suggest the TF-100 A proper test kit is needed to get the accurate water chemistry results needed to follow the TFP protocols.

While you are waiting on your test kit, add 5 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine / plain bleach to your pool each evening with the pump running. This will replenish the FC lost each day to the sun and also inhibit any algae in the water from growing further. Continue to remove all solids you can as that will make the SLAM process much more efficient when you start.

 

[Mdragger88]

The TF-100 is the best value & has everything u need in it & tftestkits.net has fast shipping. While u wait you could also fill out your signature it will help us help u when u post in the future.

 

[TogaFam]

Thanks. Unfortunately it’s $12 shipping for orders under $100 but will probably get it from there. Amazon only seems to have the Taylor K2006.

I thought I filled in my signature. Is there still info missing?

 

[mknauss]

I moved your information to the Signature section. It is showing now.

Add the Speedstir. Free shipping then.

 

[pinguy]

The K2006 will have everything you need and is fine if you prefer amazon. The only thing is that it only includes enough reagent for a few CYA tests, but you can also get refills on Amazon.

I will say the speedstir is worth every penny if you want to bump your order up to the free shipping range.

 

[TogaFam]

Got it...thanks!

 

[TogaFam]

It turned out that the speedstirs were out of stock so I ended up going with the X-L version of the TF-100 and added a thermometer that we needed to get us up to the $100 free shipping level.

 

[mknauss]

If you call TFTestkits I bet they will ship you a Speedstir when they get them in stock. Really does make testing easier.

 

[TogaFam]

We received the TF-100 test kit and tested all the levels. It looks like we have FC at 5, CC at .5, TC at 5.5, TA at 150, pH at 7.2 and CYA at zero. After reading the ABCs of Pool Chemistry again, it sounds like we would typically want to lower the pH to lower the TA but the pH is already at the low end of the range. The Pool Math app recommends using Borax to raise the pH. Is that the best first step? Any other suggestions? Thanks.

 

[mknauss]

Your pH is in range so no action needed.
You need to add 30 ppm of CYA using the sock method.
Once you get that dissolving, raise your FC to 12 ppm which is SLAM level for 30 ppm CYA.
Test and maintain 12 ppm FC until you pass the three criteria shown in SLAM Process

 

[IceShadow]

Don’t chase the TA. You need to know what it is when you adjust the pH but otherwise it can stay wherever it is without concern 90%+ of the time.

 

[TogaFam]

Your pH is in range so no action needed.
You need to add 30 ppm of CYA using the sock method.
Once you get that dissolving, raise your FC to 12 ppm which is SLAM level for 30 ppm CYA.
Test and maintain 12 ppm FC until you pass the three criteria shown in SLAM Process

 

[TogaFam]

Thanks. Is the easiest/quickest way to get the dry CYA to go to the local pool store or are there other options?

 

[TogaFam]

Don’t chase the TA. You need to know what it is when you adjust the pH but otherwise it can stay wherever it is without concern 90%+ of the time.

Great...thank you.

 

[IceShadow]

Thanks. Is the easiest/quickest way to get the dry CYA to go to the local pool store or are there other options?

Walmart, Home Depot sometimes have it in their pool sections. It might be termed “stabilizer” or “conditioner”. Or you can order it online. Pool stores have it but higher markup / cost.

 

[mknauss]

Thanks. Is the easiest/quickest way to get the dry CYA to go to the local pool store or are there other options?

Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc carry the CYA/stabilizer/conditioner in most areas.

 

[TogaFam]

Walmart, Home Depot sometimes have it in their pool sections. It might be termed “stabilizer” or “conditioner”. Or you can order it online. Pool stores have it but higher markup / cost.

Thanks. We have those stores nearby and will check them out.

 

[TogaFam]

Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc carry the CYA/stabilizer/conditioner in most areas.

We're still working on vacuuming but it's hard since we can't see the bottom in the deep end. Is that correct that once we start the SLAM that we shouldn't backwash for a least a week? Should we try to do more vacuuming before we start the SLAM? Should we also brush the bottom and sides or wait on that? I'm sure that will stir up a lot of stuff.

 

[mknauss]

You should backwash when your filter pressure rises by 25% over the clean filter pressure.

Vacuuming and removing solid debris will make the SLAM go faster.

Brush brush brush, especially once you start the SLAM.