New Salt Water Pool

[bpauljr]

I recently put in a salt water pool and its been open for about two weeks now. The pool company left behind AquaChek test strips but I recently ordered a Taylor K-2006C test kit which should be here this week!

This morning I tested the water with the AquaChek strips and it appears the FC, pH, and CYA are very low, salt level in reading 3000.

I downloaded the Pool Math app, and still trying to learn how to use it along with purchasing the right products to properly balance the pool. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! You've already taken two HUGE steps in the right direction by ordering the K-2006C and using the APP. Don't use those test strips for anything. For now, remember that new water has no stabilizer (CYA) in it. If you added some, go to the FC/CYA Levels to see what your FC level should be. You can't get close with the test strips, but the APP can help you add 3 ppm of FC (liquid chlorine) each day if your SWG production is in question. If you have not added stabilizer yet, do so now (sock method) with a CYA goal of 30 and add about 3 ppm of free (liquid) chlorine each day until the kit arrives if your SWG is in question. We'll help you from there. Let us know if you have any questions.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[bpauljr]

@Texas Splash Thank you for your prompt response. I have the pool company coming back onsite today to look at the my ScreenLoigic setup as it seems to have lost connection so I will ask them what if anything they have added to get the pool started. I believe they added some chlorine tablets about a week ago along with stabilizer. The pool itself looks crystal clear!

If I am understanding the FC/CYA chart correctly, looks like I should be at around a CYA 70-80 and FC 3-5?

The Pool Math App is telling me the following:
FC - Add Trichlor 8.8oz - does this mean to add (2) chlorinating tablets using something like this or is there another preferred product? HTH Chrloinating Tablets

CYA - Add Dry Stabilizer 13lbs - should I add 13lbs of this Pool Mate Stabilizer?

 

[Texas Splash]

looks like I should be at around a CYA 70-80 and FC 3-5?

For a salt pool, yes. Don't be surprised if the installer looks at you funny and they often times go with "generic" chemical levels. Some SWG manufactures are finally acknowledging that the elevated CYA is important for the SGW to work efficiently. If you have tabs/pucks in the water, make sure they weren't just dumped in the poolside skimmer. That's never good as they are acidic. Tabs do add stabilizer, but if your CYA is low you need it quicker than a tab or two can provide/ You'll want to grab some stabilizer from your local pool supply section (Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe, s pool store, etc). Add via the sock method. I can't quite read the label form that one on Amazon, but as long as the major ingredient is Cyanuric Aaid of 99% - 100% it's good.

 

[Texas Splash]

Be sure to never let the FC fall below the minimum on that ideal range. If it does, that's when you can get algae. Even as a salt pool owner, I like to keep a gallon or two of liquid on-hand for emergences just in case the water needs a quick boost. SWGs are very good at maintaining an FC level, but they don't increase fast or very high.

 

[bpauljr]

For a salt pool, yes. Don't be surprised if the installer looks at you funny and they often times go with "generic" chemical levels. Some SWG manufactures are finally acknowledging that the elevated CYA is important for the SGW to work efficiently. If you have tabs/pucks in the water, make sure they weren't just dumped in the poolside skimmer. That's never good as they are acidic. Tabs do add stabilizer, but if your CYA is low you need it quicker than a tab or two can provide/ You'll want to grab some stabilizer from your local pool supply section (Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe, s pool store, etc). Add via the sock method. I can't quite read the label form that one on Amazon, but as long as the major ingredient is Cyanuric Aaid of 99% - 100% it's good.

So.. if you are suggesting not to add the tabs/pucks into the side skimmer, where should they be put?

 

[Texas Splash]

where should they be put?

If you don't' have an inline tab feeder, best to place them in a floater.

 

[bpauljr]

So my Taylor test kit came....

FC - 2.0
pH - 7.6
TA - 100
CH - 80
CYA - 60

One thing I am a bit skeptical about is my IntelliChlor Salt Level reading, today it is at 2850.
Last week it was reading 2700 so I increased the pool output from 80% to 100% for a few days and the salt level never budged. I wound up adding a 40# bag of salt to the water and within a day or two it jumped back up to 3050. As of today its back down to 2850 running at 80%, what gives?

 

[BMerrill]

Ignore the cell salt reading and get the Taylor Salt test kit K-1766.

Salt is lost by spashout, backwashing, overflowing, leaks, etc. Salt levels seldom vary as it is not used up.

 

[MA5177]

Ignore the cell salt reading and get the Taylor Salt test kit K-1766.

Salt is lost by spashout, backwashing, overflowing, leaks, etc. Salt levels seldom vary as it is not used up.

My RJ 45 is saying the salt level is 3800, but the Taylor kit is saying 2800

 

[MA5177]

So my Taylor test kit came....

FC - 2.0
pH - 7.6
TA - 100
CH - 80
CYA - 60

One thing I am a bit skeptical about is my IntelliChlor Salt Level reading, today it is at 2850.
Last week it was reading 2700 so I increased the pool output from 80% to 100% for a few days and the salt level never budged. I wound up adding a 40# bag of salt to the water and within a day or two it jumped back up to 3050. As of today its back down to 2850 running at 80%, what gives?

Do you have an auto fill system? If so shut out off for a week and see how much water you lose.

You may be losing water

 

[Tcadwall0]

I just picked up this thread.... but - you have a new pool - you should be showing it off - pics please!