Finally received TF-100 Test Kit and can start

[RichardL]

We had a new semi above ground pool with 7' deep end installed 2' in-ground on July 17th. Of course the pool store sold me 450 bucks worth of chemicals to start it up....MY BAD!!! Then.....I found this site..... I started reading everything I could on here and all the pool school 3 or 4 times and decided you guys definitely know what you are talking about! I ordered the TF-100 on 7/30/2020 and just received it today 8/12/2020, thanks to the slow USPS. I've been pretty nervous until now. I was afraid all the pool chemicals they had me put in on start-up were going to have my pool messed up before I got the TF-100. I was smart enough to get away from the Trichlor fast dissolve pucks and start using Liquid Chlorine last Friday. I've kept the chlorine levels up to around 4 and 5 waiting to get a real test kit. So far, I haven't had to Shock since initial shock. I looking to you guys to help me get off to a good start.

Here are my initial test results with the TF-100.
FC 4.5
CC 0.5
PH 7.8
TA 120
CH 200
CYA 50

Any suggestions are very much appreciated.

 

[PoolNewb2020]

Nice!
You will find that TFP pool maintenance methods, although they may look intimidating at first, are quite easy, take very little time, are low cost and most importantly, truly keep the pool in best shape possible.

One thing I would note is your FC level, it is too close to the minimum.
Follow this Chlorine/CYA Chart.

Don't be afraid of chlorine and target the top FC level for your CYA when adding, which is 8ppm. This way when FC naturally drops from UV and bather load, it will have a bigger safety net from reaching the lowest level.

 

[RichardL]

Nice!
You will find that TFP pool maintenance methods, although they may look intimidating at first, are quite easy, take very little time, are low cost and most importantly, truly keep the pool in best shape possible.

One thing I would note is your FC level, it is too close to the minimum.
Follow this Chlorine/CYA Chart.

Don't be afraid of chlorine and target the top FC level for your CYA when adding, which is 8ppm. This way when FC naturally drops from UV and bather load, it will have a bigger safety net from reaching the lowest level.

Thanks for the info. I am heading out now to raise it up to 8PPM. These chlorine levels you guys use seem high when pool store tells me to keep it around 2 to 3. But, after reading on here, I know you guys are the key to staying out of the pool store and spending another 450 bucks. LOL

 

[PoolNewb2020]

I get what you're saying about chlorine. I was a little hesitant and my wife thought I was crazy for following advice on some random internet forum from a bunch of strangers. We quickly found out that our water has no chlorine smell and our eyes and skin don't burn or itch despite higher than recommended, by the industry, chlorine levels.

I'm sure your experience will not be any different from the thousands of members that use this method.

 

[Dtkokay]

You’re getting good advice above. Keep your FC at the top end of the recommended range (8 ppm for your CYA level of 50). That gives you some room for error in case it drops low for whatever reason.

I wish the pool industry would update its FC recommendations to take CYA into account, but I don’t think it’ll ever happen.

Your numbers look good except for the low FC. I think you’re on a good path.

 

[RichardL]

You’re getting good advice above. Keep your FC at the top end of the recommended range (8 ppm for your CYA level of 50). That gives you some room for error in case it drops low for whatever reason.

I wish the pool industry would update its FC recommendations to take CYA into account, but I don’t think it’ll ever happen.

Your numbers look good except for the low FC. I think you’re on a good path.

Thanks......We are trying....

 

[RichardL]

I get what you're saying about chlorine. I was a little hesitant and my wife thought I was crazy for following advice on some random internet forum from a bunch of strangers. We quickly found out that our water has no chlorine smell and our eyes and skin don't burn or itch despite higher than recommended, by the industry, chlorine levels.

I'm sure your experience will not be any different from the thousands of members that use this method.

Do you think I should try to bring TA and PH down??

 

[PoolNewb2020]

Nope, leave them alone until PH reaches 8. Then lower it to 7.6-7.5 depending which scale your comparator has.

You have a vinyl pool and your CH is low, so no need to track CSI (calcium saturation index) and therefore no worry about a bit higher TA.

Your higher TA will simply make the PH rise faster, which you will lower with acid and it will also lower TA a little. If your fill water has lower TA than your current measurnment, then TA will come down slowly as you keep lowering PH.
If your fill water has high TA, then it will not get much lower.

 

[kellyfair]

You are doing pretty well... good job deciding to start off with a great test kit!

But you know what is missing? Pictures of your new pool!

 

[RichardL]

Nope, leave them alone until PH reaches 8. Then lower it to 7.6-7.5 depending which scale your comparator has.

You have a vinyl pool and your CH is low, so no need to track CSI (calcium saturation index) and therefore no worry about a bit higher TA.

Your higher TA will simply make the PH rise faster, which you will lower with acid and it will also lower TA a little. If your fill water has lower TA than your current measurnment, then TA will come down slowly as you keep lowering PH.
If your fill water has high TA, then it will not get much lower.

Thanks.....learning all the time....thanks to u guys.....

 

[RichardL]

You are doing pretty well... good job deciding to start off with a great test kit!

But you know what is missing? Pictures of your new pool!

LOL....if I can figure out how to post em, I will. Thanks!!

 

[RichardL]

I’ve been running my pump and filter 24 hours a day since pool was installed in middle of July. Now that I’m starting to get chemicals in check, how many hours a day should I run the pump and filter. Does it hurt to run it 24 hrs a day?? Or is that overkill??

 

[mknauss]

It does not hurt anything to run the pump 24/7 except your pocket book. Single speed pumps are pretty expensive to operate.

You run the pump for two reasons, first to distribute the liquid chlorine you add each day, that takes about an hour. The second is to skim the surface. So try 6 or 8 hours and see how that works.

 

[RichardL]

It does not hurt anything to run the pump 24/7 except your pocket book. Single speed pumps are pretty expensive to operate.

You run the pump for two reasons, first to distribute the liquid chlorine you add each day, that takes about an hour. The second is to skim the surface. So try 6 or 8 hours and see how that works.

Thanks......anything that easier on the pocketbook is always good..Lol. I will definitely try your advice. This forum is pretty amazing. You guys do a heck of a job!!!