Water getting greener after opening

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petepool

Bronze Supporter
Sep 1, 2019
96
NJ
Hi I opened my pool for the first time (installed last yr). Company that opened added 4 gallons of chlorine (I didn't see what it was).

Water was somewhat clear at opening, but after that I left it for a couple weeks and has been getting greener. Current #s are as follows (from pool store, not my test kit)
- FC 0.01
- TC 0.01
- ph 7.8
- TA 86
- Calcium: 144
- CYA 5
- Salt: 2000

So i clearly need to add chlorine and CYA to start. I'm new to pool chemicals but have the TFT test kit. What is the best order of operations between adding chlorine, adding CYA, vacuuming/brushing? I assume I should vacuum to waste to prevent my filter from getting clogged? I have a cartridge filter, but my pool pump has a valve that lets me discharge water from a separate pipe off the pump, instead of sending it to the filter.

thanks
 
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Use PoolMath to calculate the amount of Muriatic Acid you need to lower your PH to 7.2, add that amount and circulate for about 30 minutes.

Calculate the amount of CYA you need to add to get CYA from 20 to 30. Add that amount to an old sock or nylon and hang it in front of a return. Squeeze the sock every 15 minutes or so to help it dissolve.

From there, assume 30 as your CYA number and begin to SLAM. Follow the SLAM instructions here: SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain - Trouble Free Pool

Test the CYA level again in a few days to be sure that you hit your number, if you are still below 30, calculate and add more. If you overshot and got to 40, use 40 to guide your SLAM FC level.

Post back with any questions and remember that we love pictures of SLAM progress, so post a picture of the progress every few days so we can root you on!
 
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Hey Pete !!! Have you downloaded the poolmath app ? It tells you what and how much to buy based on your (legit, and thanks :) ) test results.

..... nevermind. Tekgeek cobered it above while I was typing. *what he said*. Especially the SLAM Process part.
 
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Thanks guys, yes I have the app which I'm starting to get the hang of. What is preferred place to purchase muriatic acid, and is there a specific concentration that is best to use?

Same question for CYA.

Does it matter what time of day I add it?

thanks
 
I get muriatic acid at my local hardware store. 31.45% is the concentration I get. It's usually in the paint section. You can get CYA at walmart in small amounts. I usually get it in 25lb bags off of amazon. You can pick some up at a local pool store also, if you have one nearby. Don't listen to their advise and don't go there to get your water tested. Get the CYA and get out. The time of day that you add these things does not matter. You'll also want a healthy supply of liquid chlorine/bleach. Look for the highest concentration you can find because you're going to be burning through quite a bit of it.

Vacuuming the pool will help, you also will need to brush daily during this process.
 
Just get plain ol’ sodium hypochlorite, 12.5% if you can find it. If you use the search feature here on the forums, there are some good suggestions for New Jersey. If you do go to the pool store, just liquid chlorine 12.5% but it will likely be a bit more expensive than elsewhere unless they have bulk purchase. Home Depot usually has 12.5% as well.
 

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Home Depot has muriatic acid in 2 gallon packs next to their chlorine. Their liquid chlorine is Pool essentials brand which is 10% sodium hypochlorite and it comes in a pack of 4 gallons.
 
petepool said:
Thanks, one more question, where do you get the highest concentration of chlorine? Pool store again? Seems like regular bleach is relatively low concentration.

Also, does it need to be liquid? Pool store was recommending this when i went there: Leslie's Power Powder Plus 25lbs Chlorine Shock Bucket | Leslie's Pool Supplies
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You won’t be able to reach SLAM levels with pucks. There are a lot of additives that over time might cause you to drain and refill the pool.
 
I was able to buy muriatic acid and CYA from home depot:
- MA: Klean-Strip Green 1 Gal. Green Muriatic Acid-GKGM75006 - The Home Depot
- CYA: Pool Time Chlorine Stabilizer 5 lbs. Balancer-23505PTM - The Home Depot

The MA at home depot looks to be 20% concentration (not exactly sure), so poolmath suggests I need about 0.75 gallons to go from a pH of 8+ to 7.2. I'll just pour that directly in.

For the CYA it is saying I need about 6lbs to go from 0 to 30. I'm not sure if it truly is 0 though, so I'll add it in stages so I don't overshoot.

None of the stores around me had liquid chlorine in stock. I'll hit the pool store in the morning to get some if they have it. I guess I can just raid the bleach section at the grocery store as a backup option? Poolmath says I need almost 6 gallons of bleach to go from 0 FC to 12 FC @ 30 CYA
 
Home Depot sells HDX brand muriatic acid and liquid chlorine. It would surprise me if those brands aren’t available as HDX is a Home Depot brand. I can’t remember why, but I looked into the klean strip MA and chose to not use it over the HDX muriatic acid.
 
thetekgeek said:
I'll shrink back into my corner now and let the professionals do their work.
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And now you're going to insult me like that calling me such a dirty word? What have I done to deserve such treatment?!? :eek:

All in good humor, as was my earlier post. Sometimes I'm able to reach Steven Wright levels of dry wit, which doesn't always translate well to text.
 

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