One tiny thing to help you out. Forget about “total chlorine” or TC.
It’s a useless number now that you have a Taylor test kit. The TC is just the sum of the free chlorine (FC) and combined chloromines (CC) as in FC+CC=TC.
Im drowning and I cant get it right
- Thread starter SeanThePoolFreshman
- Start date
It’s a useless number now that you have a Taylor test kit. The TC is just the sum of the free chlorine (FC) and combined chloromines (CC) as in FC+CC=TC.
jedigrover
Gold Supporter
- Sep 13, 2010
- 333
- Pool Size
- 21000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
You’ve got a great crew on it now!
Go to Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace and stock up on liquid chlorine, a couple gallons muriatic acid, and enough stabilizer/conditioner (CYA) to get you to your target. Avoid tablets/pucks, anything labeled xtrablue (or anything else with copper), floc, clarifier. The only algaecide you should ever consider is Poly 60 (polyquats). But you really don’t need it.
Go to Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace and stock up on liquid chlorine, a couple gallons muriatic acid, and enough stabilizer/conditioner (CYA) to get you to your target. Avoid tablets/pucks, anything labeled xtrablue (or anything else with copper), floc, clarifier. The only algaecide you should ever consider is Poly 60 (polyquats). But you really don’t need it.
Some one mentioned Dude's testing link. Well here it is!!
www.troublefreepool.com
ENJOY!!
So you are new to testing
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters…… It’s that time of year again with an influx of newbs either getting a late start or coming to us trying to undo what hasn’t been working. First of all, I’d like to welcome you all. You’re gonna love it here. We will...
www.troublefreepool.com
ENJOY!!
Thanks Kim! That someone was me, LOL.
I have printed that and given it to about a dozen folks who have converted to TFP (at my nagging) or are considering it. THANK YOU as well Newdude!
I have printed that and given it to about a dozen folks who have converted to TFP (at my nagging) or are considering it. THANK YOU as well Newdude!
I'm sorry I didn't see the ask earlier. Thanks for all the kind words. 
Orion7319
Bronze Supporter
- Jul 1, 2020
- 1,442
- Pool Size
- 19775
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Wow! Your not playing! I just realized we sent you to buy chemicals, but no one mentioned the safety concerns with that.
Chemical Storage and Safety - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
So, now that the pump house has much more space I am actually planning to build in three different storage containers with locks, a peg wall for tool and replacement part storage and have already begun to compile a full MSDS book to keep with the pool info for everything from the gasket lube, to the pipe glues and the once in a lifetime chemicals like flocculant incase we have a wild fire (reference to another post I read on here about the only time flocculant was actually suggested.)Wow! Your not playing! I just realized we sent you to buy chemicals, but no one mentioned the safety concerns with that.
Chemical Storage and Safety - Further Reading
I have 5 kids, the door to the pump house has been fixed and is now under lock and key as well. One thing I don't take lightly is the safety of my kids, family, animals and guests. Thank you for this link, saves me a lot of research on how and where to store the items.
Bwuahahaha!!! This post was an excellent read. The comment about the AH-64 had me cracking up because I spent a lot of time in flight on UH-60's as a flight medic. This whole read really summed up my feelings and thoughts throughout this whole process and honestly the only 2 things that kept me trucking forward was everyone on this forum board and KISS.I'm sorry I didn't see the ask earlier. Thanks for all the kind words.
No I don't mean the band KISS, although I might have had a few songs playing over the speakers at times, I mean the acronym K.I.S.S., "KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID". I tend to way overthink things and as soon as I sit down and just follow the directions I find myself laughing at the complexity of the hieroglyphics that I have scribbled all over note cards and sticky notes trying to make sense of everything.
Best thing I did, was read the instruction card, put water in the vials and just follow the directions step by step. Pool math, if you haven't been following the thread, became a whole other complication and I started to freak out all over again. Today I walked into Wal-Mart and got stabilizer and bleach. Adjusted the numbers to match the Chlorine content and the ounces and boom I was off to the races. Added stabilizer to a sock, stuck it in the skimmer trap for 10 minutes, tied a loop in the sock and suspended it from the hook on the end of a ratchet strap, tied it to a pool pole I don't use, hung it infront of the return so it was off the walls and a couple squeezes later, about 30 mins apart, CYA is all in the pool. Added the recommended amount of bleach around the pool, waited about 15 minutes, scrubbed the pool walls and floor and watched my pool turn from a cloudy/milky blue to a yellowish cloud due to the amount of mustard algae hidden in the dimples of the gunite. Already the pool is back to a blue and is becoming noticeably more clear, still a ways to go though.
My dad was a huge "Trekki" so in honor of him, and a tribute to all Trekki's:
Captains Log, star date - 06/06/2022:
Yesterday was my first day on this strange planet full of pool owners and life forms that seem to thrive without pool stores. I have been studying their ways and attuned myself to learn their ways. I have repaired a pool and have begun using the mundane tools that these life forms poses to maintain them. After a full chemical analysis and letting my liquid in the pool circulate, I awoke to find that my life in this new world was about to change forever! I went to a local trader and purchased the generic products that are readily available relatively anywhere. To my complete disbelief I saved a literal fortune. On my home planet of "pool store" I would have spent $337+tax to acquire the compounds needed to supply my pools liquid with the required nutrients however, through the local populations traders I spent $75 for 10 gallons of bleach and 12 pounds of stabilizer.
I rushed home eager to share the news with my wife and express that the savings alone have already paid for the mundane test kit (TF-100 Pro with smart stir) additionally the savings covered the cost of today's chemicals and another $20 already towards the repair costs! Outrageous! The life forms on this planet have redefined the value of being a pool owner in just a short few days!!!
After sharing my news with the wife, I went to the pool and started the SLAM method that was recommended. It was easy beyond comparison and left me feeling accomplished but yet having had to do such basic tasks.
End of day one results: I have high hopes for mine and my families presence upon this strange planet. We hope to assimilate ourselves into their way of life easily. Things are already looking up! There is much to learn and much work to be done, again though, our hopes our high and we feel presently welcomed by the life forms on this planet.
For today, Sean signing off, will update Captains log tomorrow with trending results and the lessons of the day.
******END TRANSMISSION*******
P.S.
The final requirement for this test kit arrived by form of parcel snail mail today. Nate has delivered me a spoon and my test kit is now fully complete. These life forms are expedient, helpful and courteous beyond comparison!
*******SYSTEM OFFLINE*******
Captains Log, star date - 06/06/2022:
Yesterday was my first day on this strange planet full of pool owners and life forms that seem to thrive without pool stores. I have been studying their ways and attuned myself to learn their ways. I have repaired a pool and have begun using the mundane tools that these life forms poses to maintain them. After a full chemical analysis and letting my liquid in the pool circulate, I awoke to find that my life in this new world was about to change forever! I went to a local trader and purchased the generic products that are readily available relatively anywhere. To my complete disbelief I saved a literal fortune. On my home planet of "pool store" I would have spent $337+tax to acquire the compounds needed to supply my pools liquid with the required nutrients however, through the local populations traders I spent $75 for 10 gallons of bleach and 12 pounds of stabilizer.
I rushed home eager to share the news with my wife and express that the savings alone have already paid for the mundane test kit (TF-100 Pro with smart stir) additionally the savings covered the cost of today's chemicals and another $20 already towards the repair costs! Outrageous! The life forms on this planet have redefined the value of being a pool owner in just a short few days!!!
After sharing my news with the wife, I went to the pool and started the SLAM method that was recommended. It was easy beyond comparison and left me feeling accomplished but yet having had to do such basic tasks.
End of day one results: I have high hopes for mine and my families presence upon this strange planet. We hope to assimilate ourselves into their way of life easily. Things are already looking up! There is much to learn and much work to be done, again though, our hopes our high and we feel presently welcomed by the life forms on this planet.
For today, Sean signing off, will update Captains log tomorrow with trending results and the lessons of the day.
******END TRANSMISSION*******
P.S.
The final requirement for this test kit arrived by form of parcel snail mail today. Nate has delivered me a spoon and my test kit is now fully complete. These life forms are expedient, helpful and courteous beyond comparison!
*******SYSTEM OFFLINE*******
Orion7319
Bronze Supporter
- Jul 1, 2020
- 1,442
- Pool Size
- 19775
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Absolutely! We are here to help, we have all been new to this once! You already got the really hard stuff out of the way with the plumbing. Make sure you keep the Muriatic acid away from the chlorine. If they mix it’s very bad. The caps on MA are vented. Most folks keep the MA in a container outside somewhere. I keep mine locked in a box attached to the outside of my shed.
Five kids! That’s awesome! I got two boys myself. I remember when my second one came along, I was thinking that the stress would only double cause you know that’s what you would expect to make sense…. Ummmm yeah that turned out not to be a liner equation at all!!
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,606
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Ask me why I am "PoolStored." I dare you.
Got it right on the order backlog.
You go man!!! You are the master of the collective? Borg? Federation?
Got it right on the order backlog.
You go man!!! You are the master of the collective? Borg? Federation?
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,109
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
This is the BEST post of the year! Love it !!!
LOVE the write up!!! Thanks for a great start to the day!!
Make sure to take a pic of the pool each day. Look down at the same place with the pool brush in the pool. This will help you and us see the pool clearing up.
Muriatic acid-My husband put it in the pool house one time. Nice wide open area so should not be a problem........ummmm nope. It was not until I noticed an "oily" residue on the windows that I clued in where he had put it. I moved it outside and cleaned the walls, ceilings, and windows. SO keep that stuff outside if at all possible. I LOVE the locking up of everything.
What are the ages of your kids?
Make sure to take a pic of the pool each day. Look down at the same place with the pool brush in the pool. This will help you and us see the pool clearing up.
Muriatic acid-My husband put it in the pool house one time. Nice wide open area so should not be a problem........ummmm nope. It was not until I noticed an "oily" residue on the windows that I clued in where he had put it. I moved it outside and cleaned the walls, ceilings, and windows. SO keep that stuff outside if at all possible. I LOVE the locking up of everything.
What are the ages of your kids?
Good morning everyone. Thanks for all the comments last night.
challenge accepted, why are you "pool stored"? I actually use the reference because of your name and a previous comment (I believe made by you) about being Pool $tored.
Kids are 19, 17, 17, 13 and 11 (my only son, poor boy hahaha). Also someone asked about the dogs, don't have any pictures of them swimming on this phone but 'Doc' is a 202lb Great Dane age 3, Willow 165lb Great Dane age 7 and Kookie is a 35lb Mini Aussie age 18 months.
**BONUS PIC**
Clyde, age 2, Rex rabbit
Personally, i think I would align more with the Klingons from what I know. The Borg are cool and have some awesome characteristics, but I am more of a survive at all costs kind of guy.
challenge accepted, why are you "pool stored"? I actually use the reference because of your name and a previous comment (I believe made by you) about being Pool $tored.
thanks, got to have fun with it, otherwise it's just work and no play. Enjoyed writing it and having to remember when my dad would watch the shows and movies.This is the BEST post of the year! Love it !!!
Muriatic Acid doesn't sound fun at all. I am going to begin taking pictures from the deep end today using the pool poles handle end so not to damage the surface of the pool. I took this photo yesterday but will change the way I take them from each day moving forward because I like your idea! Thanks.
Kids are 19, 17, 17, 13 and 11 (my only son, poor boy hahaha). Also someone asked about the dogs, don't have any pictures of them swimming on this phone but 'Doc' is a 202lb Great Dane age 3, Willow 165lb Great Dane age 7 and Kookie is a 35lb Mini Aussie age 18 months.
**BONUS PIC**
Clyde, age 2, Rex rabbit
I’d second the storing of acid outside. Even with the cap on tight, somehow fumes escape and deteriorate anything metal very fast. Somewhat amazing. I keep mine in a capped Home Depot bucket now outside of my plastic pool storage “shed”. Maybe you can keep the acid on the other side of the pool house away from other stuff, and make sure it’s well ventilated.
This mornings test results:
pH 7
FC .5
CC .5
CH 400
TA 70
CYA <30 the black dot disappeared 1 drop before the vial was full
Yesterday's additions:
605oz of 7.13 fc bleach
6lbs of stabilizer
Not sure if it matters or not with the Chlorine, but brand new sand and new plumbing. Maybe some absorption due to that. I also added the Chlorine about an hour before beginning the stabilizer (hind sight should have added stabilizer first.
The Chlorine only test gives a read of .5 however the pH, CL Br color test shows the Chlorine at 5 by the yellow coloring. Not sure if that's because it's picking up other stuff or why. I redid the Chlorine only test twice and both times it was fc and cc .5 still.
Tried to start SLAM yesterday, thinking I should have waited until stabilizer had gotten into the pool.
pH 7
FC .5
CC .5
CH 400
TA 70
CYA <30 the black dot disappeared 1 drop before the vial was full
Yesterday's additions:
605oz of 7.13 fc bleach
6lbs of stabilizer
Not sure if it matters or not with the Chlorine, but brand new sand and new plumbing. Maybe some absorption due to that. I also added the Chlorine about an hour before beginning the stabilizer (hind sight should have added stabilizer first.
The Chlorine only test gives a read of .5 however the pH, CL Br color test shows the Chlorine at 5 by the yellow coloring. Not sure if that's because it's picking up other stuff or why. I redid the Chlorine only test twice and both times it was fc and cc .5 still.
Tried to start SLAM yesterday, thinking I should have waited until stabilizer had gotten into the pool.
From what exposure I have had with muriatic acid in construction, all of the caps of the bottles are designed to be vented and are meant to breathe. This prevents pressure buildup as well as fumes acid levels rising to a dangerous level. I would suggest allowing it to breathe as intended, by capping it in a non vented container it will still release fumes trying to stabilize its pressure but you are putting yourself at risk of a corrosion burn to your skin or acid burn to your eyes by keeping it in a non vented and small container like that. I was a medic in the army and have seen muriatic acid burns to eyes and they are extremely painful, permanent damage and completely preventable.
Edit:
Maybe I read your post wrong and the home depot bucket does not have a lid on it. I assumed it does. If I am wrong sorry, but safety always first.
I keep mine in a capped HD bucket stored outside as well. I drilled eight 3/8" holes around the perimeter of the bucket, just under the reinforced "handle" part. It stays mostly dry inside this way but can still vent. I don't have your medical training, but I was envisioning a pressure buildup and some kind of resulting disastrous KA-Boom! None for me, thanks!
Hmm, good feedback. It does have a lid but I rarely seal it fully because it’s so hard to open. It was more to keep kids hands off of it. I may drill a few holes in it to allow it to vent.