Newbie with swg needing basic guidance on start up Please please please

[VirginiaMom]

Ok, i have an agp 18x18 x 48” (About 5k gallons) and a sand filter with swg

just got it filled- haven’t turned on the filter yet.
Tested the water and numbers are

FC 0
PH 7.2
total alkalinity 40
Hardness 0
CA 0

so, what should I do first? And when does the filter need to be on to circulate water With the adding of chemicals/salt?
its raining here too.

do I add the baking soda 1st? Then what? And at what point do I turn the filter on to mix?
When do I add the salt? Or should I shock it before the salt?

I am seriously clueless and I did read the pool school stuff but I’m not connecting the dots on what to do.

Please please help give me some guidance on how to start this up, daughter has her graduation from Highschool Monday (It’s a funky 1:1 here’s your diploma corona mask event) and it would be great if I could get this straight for her to get in the pool after her funky scaled back one to one graduation.

thank you in advance and please don’t blast me too hard for being clueless.

 

[Texas Splash]

When in doubt, always go back to our ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry, but basically, you need to think of the following:
1. Salt should be in the water now as it needs 24 hrs to mix before you turn on the SWG.
2. You should have a white sock with the proper amount of granular stabilizer soaking (and squeezing) for a CYA goal of 70 for a salt pool.
3. No shocking. On this day one of new water, you should have some chlorine in the water. Liquid chlorine or regular bleach for an FC goal of about 3 ppm today. After today, balance the FC as noted on the FC/CYA Levels.
4. You can add a little TA to get it up to about 60-70, then monitor it from there weekly.

For all dosage amounts, use the PoolMath APP or PoolMath webpage. You need to use one of those. Load your pool info and practice to get the hang of it.

Don't forget to update your signature! Include your test kit too. Start with this and let us know if you have other questions.

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.

 

[Richard320]

I take a slightly different approach.
Get the pump and filter running first. It has to be on and circulating before you test and after each chemical addition.
PH is good for the moment. I'd put 3 FC in there and let it mix for fifteen minutes. While it's mixing, slather the kids with sunscreen, then mess with the CYA and the sock. At this point the kids can get in. Toss some baking soda in when it strikes you, and the salt. Neither will hurt the kids and they will enjoy scooping up the salt and swimming through it like a snowglobe. Wait -- the salt may hurt if they step on it, but that's a small risk.

After the salt has had 24 hours to mix, make sure the FC is up where it should be with bleach and turn on the SWG to keep it there.
Done.

https://www.troublefreepool.com/blog/2019/01/18/recommended-pool-chemicals/ will tell you what chemical does what and how to add it.

sockmethod

• Richard320
• May 20, 2014

 

[VirginiaMom]

I take a slightly different approach.
Get the pump and filter running first. It has to be on and circulating before you test and after each chemical addition.
PH is good for the moment. I'd put 3 FC in there and let it mix for fifteen minutes. While it's mixing, slather the kids with sunscreen, then mess with the CYA and the sock. At this point the kids can get in. Toss some baking soda in when it strikes you, and the salt. Neither will hurt the kids and they will enjoy scooping up the salt and swimming through it like a snowglobe. Wait -- the salt may hurt if they step on it, but that's a small risk.

After the salt has had 24 hours to mix, make sure the FC is up where it should be with bleach and turn on the SWG to keep it there.
Done.

Recommended Pool Chemicals - Trouble Free Pool will tell you what chemical does what and how to add it.

sockmethod

• Richard320
• May 20, 2014

Thank you- I have more stupid questions... what is FC? Free cholorine Right? but when I go to Walmart what product in the pool section is FC? I bought Clorox pool shock extra blue but- this doesn’t sound like what you are referring to with FC...?

 

[Richard320]

Thank you- I have more stupid questions... what is FC? Free cholorine Right? but when I go to Walmart what product in the pool section is FC? I bought Clorox pool shock extra blue but- this doesn’t sound like what you are referring to with FC...?

FC is Free Chlorine. 3 FC means 3 parts per million free chlorine. Different chemicals and different sized pools make it necessary to calculate what that is. PoolMath will do the math for you.

There's dichlor, trichlor, Cal-hypo, and Sodium Hypochlorite aka bleach.

The first two add a lot of CYA and are very acidic. Not recommended. Cal-hypo adds Calcium, which can be a big problem in hard water areas. Bleach only leaves salt behind. Longer explanation here https://www.troublefreepool.com/blog/2019/01/18/how-to-chlorinate-your-pool/