New Pool First Test

[LSU]

Well, I have the salt water testing kit from tftest kits. We got water in the pool today. PC put in sequestrant and some liquid chlorine, 3/4 of a standard jug. The pump has been running for several hours. I did a FAS/DPD test (twice) and the water never changed, indicating zero chlorine. I did a CL/PH test and got like .5 on CL and a 7.6 on my PH. I tried doing a CYA test and the dot never disappears. The pool guys took a sample to the store, but it was late and I never heard back from them as they are now closed. Lol, HELP. Brand new, and trying to see what I need to do since we just put in the water. Obviously we are not a salt pool yet...30 days to go

 

[Newdude]

The pool guys took a sample to the store

Don't bother with them. They don't know their rear from their elbow. If they did, they'd tell you that CYA is not naturally found in water. So out of the truck or the tap, it's 0.

Seriously. They've been doing it HOW long ? My own poolstore people with 5 to 30 years told me I couldn't know until the machine tested it. I walked in on a 'company meeting' and they were all there nodding with the one talking.

So yeah. This is the one time you're sure it's 0 so add 30 and go from there. From here on out you won't be able to test under 30 and it might be 5 or 20. Lol.

*normally we say to creep up to CYA target because it only comes out quickly by draining, but you're end target is really 70 for the SWG, so if you overshoot the 30, it's not a big deal.

 

[BDY]

You don’t want to turn on salt for 30 days on new plaster ….

No dumping salt in …..

 

[LSU]

Don't bother with them. They don't know their rear from their elbow. If they did, they'd tell you that CYA is not naturally found in water. So out of the truck or the tap, it's 0.

Seriously. They've been doing it HOW long ? My own poolstore people with 5 to 30 years told me I couldn't know until the machine tested it. I walked in on a 'company meeting' and they were all there nodding with the one talking.

So yeah. This is the one time you're sure it's 0 so add 30 and go from there. From here on out you won't be able to test under 30 and it might be 5 or 20. Lol.

*normally we say to creep up to CYA target because it only comes out quickly by draining, but you're end target is really 70 for the SWG, so if you overshoot the 30, it's not a big deal.

By add 30 you mean add in CYA until it gets to 30 ppm on a test?

 

[Newdude]

By add 30 you mean add in CYA until it gets to 30 ppm on a test?

Yes. Sorry for going to quick when I SAW you've had water for a few hours. That's on me.

Have you gotten familiar with PoolMath ? Click the CYA tab and select 0 to 30 in the appropriate fields, then select 'dry stabilizer'. It says you need 5.5 lbs. I just bought some myself tonight at Walmart. 4 lbs was $20 and change. It was Chlorox Stabilizer and one of the only acceptable things from them. Everything else is harmful, including their bleach and salt.

Stuff socks because it won't fit in one, and tie them up, carrot on a stick like, in front of a return. A half hour later they should squish out into a big cloud. Mine do well shaking them underwater. Brush well after. Then give it a day or two to mix and see if the gallons was close and you see 30 on the test.

 

[jesse-99]

I agree on stuffing a sock or a woman's nylon with the conditioner. I find that a woman's nylon can hold about 2 pounds of CYA comfortably. Tie a knot at the top, and place it in front of your pool return (I place a brick on top of the end of the nylon/sock to hold it down), so the nylon/sock is constantly getting blasted be the pool return water and bobbing all around. If you knead the nylon/sock, you can also get the conditioner to come out into the pool as well.

Another option is to stick the sock/nylon in your skimmer, let it soak for an hour, then come out and knead it out slowly by hand (squeeze, like you're milking a cow, lol). This method works well too, but requires a bit more manual labor.

On brand new plaster, I don't know how quickly you can add CYA to the pool, but I'm guessing it's pretty quickly, within 1-3 days? Someone else can chime in on that.

 

[pjt]

then select 'dry acid'

You want "Dry Stabilizer".

(I think this was a typo from @Newdude)

Do not add dry acid (ever)!

 

[Newdude]

*fixed. THANKS.

 

[Mdragger88]

Add the 30ppm worth via the sock method & immediately chlorinate accordingly
FC/CYA Levels test cya in 24 hours or so & adjust your fc target as needed.