Where to start with pool math app and a SWG

[r2sie2]

Well looks like I have a cya of zero. To test I’m filling the squeeze tube with red top to the 7.5 ml with pool water. Fill to 15ml line with r-0013. Shake it up. Wait 30 seconds. Shake it up again. Fill tube with black dot at bottom while holding at waist level. Looking down I can see the black dot all the way clearly until its full. Maybe some slight cloudiness. Am I doing this right? Pretty bummed on pool guy as he was here 2 days ago, do they normally not test for this?

On the bright side my fc came up. I’ll try and attach the log from the math app. Let me know if I’m doing it wrong. I’ll do the rest of the tests today or tomorrow, out of time today unfortunately

PoolMath Logs

 

[mknauss]

Am I doing this right? Pretty bummed on pool guy as he was here 2 days ago, do they normally not test for this?

You are doing the test correctly. Add 20 ppm CYA worth of stabilizer using the sock method. Test in a couple days once the material is dissolved. Add more in steps to get to the level you need.

 

[r2sie2]

You are doing the test correctly. Add 20 ppm CYA worth of stabilizer using the sock method. Test in a couple days once the material is dissolved. Add more in steps to get to the level you need.

Ok will do. Just go to a pool store? I saw there’s some that are cya and chlorine since I’m trying to raise my chlorine do you think I should do that?

 

[mknauss]

We suggest you add a specific chemical for what you need. So Stabilizer for CYA and liquid chlorine for chlorine.

 

[r2sie2]

We suggest you add a specific chemical for what you need. So Stabilizer for CYA and liquid chlorine for chlorine.

Lawn care is a hobby of mine and I recommend applications the same way. Starting to realize there’s a lot of similarities, thanks.

 

[PoolStored]

I saw there’s some that are cya and chlorine since I’m trying to raise my chlorine do you think I should do that?

This is "Tri-Chlor" or "pucks." They are ok, but present problems (how do you control how much of each it adds, etc). Better to add what you need independently as @mknauss indicated.

You will find that CYA (cyanuric acid) is used to raise CYA levels. CYA is sold as "stabilizer" and "conditioner." Just make sure it is 100% cyanuric acid. You can buy online (I like Robelle because it dissolves well and is the cheapest right now), or if more convenient, but at your pool store. You should always follow the FC/CYA Levels, and keep your FC up to levels appropriate for your CYA level.

To raise your FC (Free Chlorine), use Liquid Chlorine, or Bleach. However, be SUPER careful and never buy bleach that is splashless, "Blue," has fragrances or anything else on the label (4 in 1 etc). AVOID Clorox.

 

[r2sie2]

So I’ve gotten my cya to about 20ppm ( can barely see the black dot) and I raised the fc level using liquid.

I’m getting very different results testing chlorine using my he drop method however. When I use the smart stir it’s showing me 6ppm, but when I just do it manually without the smart stir and agitate it by hand I’m getting 8ppm. Has anyone else experienced this? Any idea which one is more accurate?

 

[PoolStored]

So I’ve gotten my cya to about 20ppm ( can barely see the black dot) and I raised the fc level using liquid.

I’m getting very different results testing chlorine using my he drop method however. When I use the smart stir it’s showing me 6ppm, but when I just do it manually without the smart stir and agitate it by hand I’m getting 8ppm. Has anyone else experienced this? Any idea which one is more accurate?

Yes. SMART STIR ROCKS!!

 

[r2sie2]

Yes. SMART STIR ROCKS!!

Do you know why I’m getting such different readings though?

 

[PoolStored]

Do you know why I’m getting such different readings though?

Yes. Smart Stir is optimizing the mixing. Your "swirling" does to it as well. My brother came and he is a pool guy too. We did tests on same water next to each other. Me with speed stir and him swirling. He was 1ppm higher.

 

[r2sie2]

Yes. Smart Stir is optimizing the mixing. Your "swirling" does to it as well. My brother came and he is a pool guy too. We did tests on same water next to each other. Me with speed stir and him swirling. He was 1ppm higher.

Ok great just wanted to make sure I wasn’t going crazy. So I’ll go with the smart stir readings then. Thanks!

 

[r2sie2]

Ok I have officially taken over pool chemical duties from the pool builders pool guy. Please tell me if I should post elsewhere to get advice or keep it in this thread. Any advice is greatly appreciated, I’m very scared of ruining this brand new pool and being killed by my wife and son!

My ph has been steadily rising so I think I’m going to need to deal with that shortly. I added a gallon of 10% and have been leaving the pool covered. SWG is running at 50% 9am to 5pm with the pump running at 57%. Over the past week I’ve added 4 lbs of CYA using the sock method (but I had it in the skimmer, my bad)

My current readings are

FC 4.0
PH 7.8
TA 30
CYA 30
Salt 2800

Please lmk if I should take any further readings. I feel like I’m starting to get the hang of things!

PoolMath Logs

 

[PoolStored]

Ok I have officially taken over pool chemical duties from the pool builders pool guy. Please tell me if I should post elsewhere to get advice or keep it in this thread. Any advice is greatly appreciated, I’m very scared of ruining this brand new pool and being killed by my wife and son!

You are doing great!

My ph has been steadily rising so I think I’m going to need to deal with that shortly.

When you do, please use Muriatic Acid.

I added a gallon of 10% and have been leaving the pool covered. SWG is running at 50% 9am to 5pm with the pump running at 57%. Over the past week I’ve added 4 lbs of CYA using the sock method (but I had it in the skimmer, my bad)

If it is in a sock, it is OK to be in skimmer. Pouring it in the skimmer is no no.

My current readings are

FC 4.0
PH 7.8
TA 30

You really want to get your TA up to about 60. Use pool math and you will see it will take about 5 pounds of baking soda. It will also raise your pH .1 or so. Maybe a good idea is to lower your pH to about 7.3, then add the baking soda. Always a good read on how to add chemicals.

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

CYA 30

Are you adding more? Your target should be about 70-80.

Salt 2800

Have you tested CH? Super important in a plaster pool.

Love the learning and progress!!!

 

[r2sie2]

You are doing great!

When you do, please use Muriatic Acid.

If it is in a sock, it is OK to be in skimmer. Pouring it in the skimmer is no no.

You really want to get your TA up to about 60. Use pool math and you will see it will take about 5 pounds of baking soda. It will also raise your pH .1 or so. Maybe a good idea is to lower your pH to about 7.3, then add the baking soda. Always a good read on how to add chemicals.

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

Are you adding more? Your target should be about 70-80.

Have you tested CH? Super important in a plaster pool.

Love the learning and progress!!!

This is amazing thanks.

Ok so I will get muriatic acid tomorrow. I think I was told to get that from Home Depot?

I will be raising the cya but I’ve been doing it slowly, I’m scared of putting in too much. I have 4 more pounds, I’ve been doing 1 lb at a time.

Just regular old baking soda from the market?

I have not tested ch, but I will tomorrow. I thought it was only for pools with masonry which I was associating with bricks but as I type this I’m slowly realizing how dumb I am thinking masonry is just bricks and stones. I will report back

 

[PoolStored]

This is amazing thanks.

Ok so I will get muriatic acid tomorrow. I think I was told to get that from Home Depot?

YEP!

I will be raising the cya but I’ve been doing it slowly, I’m scared of putting in too much. I have 4 more pounds, I’ve been doing 1 lb at a time.

I get it. I didn't want a swamp again after high CYA. Now that I have learned, I throw CYA around like it is Christmas presents! You will get it! Best to be cautious while you learn.

Just regular old baking soda from the market?

Yep!

I have not tested ch, but I will tomorrow. I thought it was only for pools with masonry which I was associating with bricks but as I type this I’m slowly realizing how dumb I am thinking masonry is just bricks and stones. I will report back

You have a plaster pool according to your signature. This will be one of your primary observation tests!!!

 

[PoolStored]

Don't fear Muriatic Acid (MA). But be respectful. Please wear eye protection. Remember, add acid to water. Pour it into the pool over the return, SLOOOOOOOWLY. Pour it downwind from your nose. Brush, Brush, Brush to mix. Good to go!

 

[r2sie2]

Don't fear Muriatic Acid (MA). But be respectful. Please wear eye protection. Remember, add acid to water. Pour it into the pool over the skimmer, SLOOOOOOOWLY. Pour it downwind from your nose. Brush, Brush, Brush to mix. Good to go!

Edit Disregard, I didn’t see your previous response. Thanks so much I think you gave me everything I need for my next steps

 

[proavia]

Don't fear Muriatic Acid (MA). But be respectful. Please wear eye protection. Remember, add acid to water. Pour it into the pool over the skimmer, SLOOOOOOOWLY. Pour it downwind from your nose. Brush, Brush, Brush to mix. Good to go!

While adding MA slowly is correct - Do NOT add MA over the skimmer. Add it near a return jet with the pump running - you will be able to see the acid go into the return water flow and mix into the pool water. If added near or over the skimmer there is a chance to suck acid laden water into the skimmer. You don't want to run low pH (acid laden) water thru the pool equipment.

 

[PoolStored]

It was late, you are absolutely correct. I will correct my post.

 

[r2sie2]

My Home Depot has muriatic acid make for pools at 14.5% but everyone is complaining that it’s diluted on the reviews. Should I look for something else or is it just a matter of cost? Like is all muriatic acid basically the same?

This is what I have available locally

HDX 2 x 1 Gal. Swimming Pool Muriatic Acid (2-Pack) 10014HDX - The Home Depot

The HDX 1 Gal. Swimming Pool Muriatic Acid (2-Pack) is ready for use and does not require mixing. This pH reducer is designed to help prevent scaling caused by calcium-based chlorine and hard water.

www.homedepot.com

Also my CH is at 225 and pool math says target is 450. Says I need to add 23 lbs of calcium chloride. I don’t see anything at Home Depot. Should I go to a pool store? I found this on Amazon is this what I’m looking for? I don’t see it as one of the names on recommended chemicals I saw on the link.

Pool Mate 1-2825 Calcium Increaser for Swimming Pools, 25-Pound
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J7L46FI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_G22GR9GT4CK8MQXW1S2V