Under construction!

[HGen]

Hi,
I am totally new to pool ownership, in fact it doesn’t get dug for a few more days. We are putting in a concrete pool with a plaster finish. I just got my pool test kit in the mail and am trying to learn all I can.

 

[PoolStored]

Welcome to TFP!!!

I just got my pool test kit in the mail

What kit did you get?

 

[Mdragger88]

Welcome
Take lots of pictures - we love to watch a build!
& When you get a chance add all your information to your signature.

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

www.google.com

 

[Gary Davis]

Good luck with your brand new being-built pool.

1. When it's filled, most people here would recommend that you test your pool chemistry yourself
   • (and most would recommend you use a good pool-math calculator on your mobile device)
2. Most would also recommend you use only liquid chlorine (no tablets, no granules, no powders) for sanitization
   • (keep your cyanuric acid level as low as feasible, where around 30 ppm is a good inflection point to aim for)
   • (maintain free chlorine at least 7.5% higher than the CYA, and then plus 1 or 2 ppm)
   • (maintain free chlorine at less than 7.5% of your CYA - e.g., half that - only if your phosphates are extremely low)
     • (this eclectic algae assessment is rarely discussed but it came from either Richard Falk or Bob Lowry, as I recall)
3. Maintain the water's calcium saturation equilibrium within +/- 0.33 of the zero crossing point
   • (generally that means aim for calcium saturation & carbonate alkalinity to be within typical ranges)]
     • (not many people know this, but a common ratio is 1:4 alkalinity ppm to calcium ppm)
   • (keep in mind you have little control over the temperature & not much control over the pH and/or TDS)

If you don't fully understand any of those basics, don't worry as everyone here knows them inside & out (so you can read up on each of them & ask away if necessary).

 

[HGen]

Welcome to TFP!!!


What kit did you get?

I got a TF pro for a salt generator pool. I have thus far used it to test the hose water for calcium hardness and total alkalinity. I plan on doing a bicarb start up. Is that still what people think is best?

 

[HGen]

Good luck with your brand new being-built pool.

1. When it's filled, most people here would recommend that you test your pool chemistry yourself
   • (and most would recommend you use a good pool-math calculator on your mobile device)
2. Most would also recommend you use only liquid chlorine (no tablets, no granules, no powders) for sanitization
   • (keep your cyanuric acid level as low as feasible, where around 30 ppm is a good inflection point to aim for)
   • (maintain free chlorine at least 7.5% higher than the CYA, and then plus 1 or 2 ppm)
   • (maintain free chlorine at less than 7.5% of your CYA - e.g., half that - only if your phosphates are extremely low)
     • (this eclectic algae assessment is rarely discussed but it came from either Richard Falk or Bob Lowry, as I recall)
3. Maintain the water's calcium saturation equilibrium within +/- 0.33 of the zero crossing point
   • (generally that means aim for calcium saturation & carbonate alkalinity to be within typical ranges)]
     • (not many people know this, but a common ratio is 1:4 alkalinity ppm to calcium ppm)
   • (keep in mind you have little control over the temperature & not much control over the pH and/or TDS)

If you don't fully understand any of those basics, don't worry as everyone here knows them inside & out (so you can read up on each of them & ask away if necessary).

Thank you for this information, some I understand and some has me inspired to read more. I do plan on managing my own chemicals, so I know I have lots to learn.

 

[PoolStored]

I got a TF pro for a salt generator pool. I have thus far used it to test the hose water for calcium hardness and total alkalinity. I plan on doing a bicarb start up. Is that still what people think is best?

What plaster are you using? What does the manufacturer recommend? What does the builder recommend?

 

[HGen]

What plaster are you using? What does the manufacturer recommend? What does the builder recommend?

I haven’t asked the builder yet. The plaster is marquis series from PMM. I attached a screen shot of what the manufacturer has to say about maintenance levels.

 

[PoolStored]

Ask the builder…

 

[Mdragger88]

One more thing to note
When you’re filling the pool check your water meter at the beginning and the end and calculate the difference to get a better idea of your pool volume.
You may need to subtract a little for home useage. Its a once in a blue moon opportunity

 

[Gary Davis]

When you’re filling the pool check your water meter at the beginning and the end and calculate the difference to get a better idea of your pool volume.

Agree on that advice, which I just did last month myself (see here for suggestions).