Too soon to "open" and balance chemicals? North Texas!

[timmco]

I live in north/central Texas. Our temperatures are starting to warm up a bit (60s-70s). Its way too soon to swim, however, my pool has been neglected all winter, is full of leaves/dust, and somewhat cloudy. We have a spill over hot tub that we use frequently. So, I want the chemicals to be somewhat balanced (right?) Is it too early to start balancing the chemicals?. I'm pretty sure I wont be able to SLAM it because it's not sunny enough?
If you say I should try to balance which chemicals should I start with?

Here is the test results as of today:
FC 0.5
pH 8.0 ish
TA 60
CH 300
CYA 10 ish (I filled the tube but the water is not clear? )
water temp is around 68
Tried to get a picture of what the water looks like, the lighting was bad.

Thanks for your help!

 

[ajw22]

With water temp of 68 algae will take hold quickly if you don’t raise your CYA and FC.

Raise your CYA to 40-50 using the sock method.

Raise your FC to around 5.

Lower your pH to 7.6-7.8.

 

[timmco]

With water temp of 68 algae will take hold quickly if you don’t raise your CYA and FC.

Raise your CYA to 40-50 using the sock method.

Raise your FC to around 5.

Lower your pH to 7.6-7.8.

I was worried that it would take forever for the CYA to dissolve, with that water temp. Can I pre dissolve in a bucket or something? Or maybe heat the hot tub a little and do the sock method in there? Should I not SLAM it yet?

 

[ajw22]

Just put the stabilizer in a sock in front of a return and squirt one in a while. Even if it takes a few days to dissolve you will be fine.

Add the 5ppm of FC ASAP and check FC daily.

 

[jriell]

I am in the same situation living in north Texas. Thanks for the post and the advice. I am currently adding stabilizer to raise my CYA as it was really low. I had also let my salt level (saltwater pool) get really low over the winter. There is definitely a decent amount of algae that has built up.

I have been slowly adding salt and stabilizer since last weekend to hopefully get things back to a good state.

 

[HermanTX]

Here is the test results as of today:
FC 0.5
pH 8.0 ish
TA 60
CH 300
CYA 10 ish (I filled the tube but the water is not clear? )
water temp is around 68

Your TA and CH are fine. As indicated by others raise FC and CYA and lower pH.
Raise your CYA in stages, as indicated by others it may take some time (days) to dissolve and register on your test.

Once you clean the leaves determine if you have algae, is your water clear? You can do an
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test test.

If you do not pass the OCLT test then you may have to SLAM but you do not want CYA to exceed 40-50 or you will be having to increase your SLAM FC level. Come back with updated test results in a few days and determine if your pool has a FC lost on your OCLT or high CC or is not clear.

Not sure why you stated "I'm pretty sure I wont be able to SLAM it because it's not sunny enough?" As long as your CYA is in decent range and you lower your pH you can SLAM but you need to continue to monitor your FC several times during the day.

 

[timmco]

Your TA and CH are fine. As indicated by others raise FC and CYA and lower pH.
Raise your CYA in stages, as indicated by others it may take some time (days) to dissolve and register on your test.

Once you clean the leaves determine if you have algae, is your water clear? You can do an
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test test.

If you do not pass the OCLT test then you may have to SLAM but you do not want CYA to exceed 40-50 or you will be having to increase your SLAM FC level. Come back with updated test results in a few days and determine if your pool has a FC lost on your OCLT or high CC or is not clear.

Not sure why you stated "I'm pretty sure I wont be able to SLAM it because it's not sunny enough?" As long as your CYA is in decent range and you lower your pH you can SLAM but you need to continue to monitor your FC several times during the day.

Thank you for this information!
I have a question though..I know about the sock method to add cya, however it takes for ever to dissolve. I've heard of people dissolving cya in a bucket of clean warm water that disbursing evenly throughout pool. Is this an OK thing to do instead? If not, why?

 

[Newdude]

I know about the sock method to add cya, however it takes for ever to dissolve

So hang it and walk away for a day, what's left will poof out tomorrow. You are never in that much of a rush when adding CYA as long as you start with any. If you have none, you are watching your FC closely that first day anyway.

I've heard of people dissolving cya in a bucket of clean warm water that disbursing evenly throughout pool. Is this an OK thing to do instead?

I tried this several times pre -TFP. The warm 5 gallon bucket quickly dissolved some, but then the thick cloudy water didn't let the rest dissolve. So half or more of the granuals ended up on the floor of the pool anyway.

 

[ajw22]

I have a question though..I know about the sock method to add cya, however it takes for ever to dissolve. I've heard of people dissolving cya in a bucket of clean warm water that disbursing evenly throughout pool. Is this an OK thing to do instead? If not, why?

What is your rush?

Get the CYA dissolving in a sock in front of a return and squeeze the sock every few hours. It will dissolve in 24 hours or less.

 

[Mdragger88]

Is this an OK thing to do instead? If not, why?

Cya is an acid - it can stain/discolor your plaster if allowed to sit on it for any length of time.
Also, being sunny or not has nothing to do with the
SLAM Process being doable.
TFP recommends that you open before water temps climb above 60 degrees.

Opening your pool- An easy to follow guide

Opening your pool can be stressful. This Pool Start Up guide teaches everything from start-up chemicals, covers, and more for your start up.

www.troublefreepool.com

If you don’t actually close/winterize your pool you should be maintaining it all winter long & ensuring fc stays above minimum for your cya lest nasties will grow
FC/CYA Levels
This is especially true if you are using the attached spa & the two are mixed.

 

[HermanTX]

I know about the sock method to add cya, however it takes for ever to dissolve. I've heard of people dissolving cya in a bucket of clean warm water that disbursing evenly throughout pool. Is this an OK thing to do instead? If not, why?

I just added 1 lb of CYA via sock method in front of my pool return. It has been 24 hrs and fully dissolved. You do not want stabilizer to sit on plaster. Best way is to let it disperse into the pool. Some people have said they add the sock to their skimmer but again, you are putting all that acid directly into your pump and filter. it is best to let it "hang out" for 24 hours. Also, add 3/4 of whatever amount you need to add then test again in 48 hours. You do not want to overshoot your CYA target. Going slow is the recommended method.