New pebble start-up chemistry out-of-whack!

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Winter247

Winter247

Bronze Supporter
Sep 12, 2021
80
Phoenix, AZ
Pool Size
15600
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
So after a year long pool build project, we FINALLY got it finished and pool filled 2 days ago. We have a custom blend Stonescapes Tropics Blue. I'll update my build thread soon.
Anyway, start-up was today and since I wasn't able to be there (he'll be back on Monday to do the walk thru), I have no idea what he added but the water chemistry went haywire. I'm using the TF-100 test kit.

2 days ago our numbers were:
FC - 1
PH - 7.2
TA - 120
CH - 275
CYA - 0

I added some acid to bring the TA down and some Jacks Magic Blue Stuff as a sequestrant.

Yesterday our numbers were:
FC - 1
PH - 6.8
TA - 80
CH - 300
CYA - 0

I added a small amount of Borax to see if it would raise PH

Today after start-up our numbers are:
FC - 8 <--- how concerning is this?
PH - <6.8
TA - 30 <--- how concerning is this?
CH - 350
CYA - 0

So from what I've read, I really can't do anything to get the chlorine level down? I know I can add borax to raise PH, but I've also read that new plaster will raise PH on it's own. TA fell off a cliff and Pool Math app is telling me to add 9 lbs of baking soda?!

Looking for any guidance here. Obviously the start-up guy added a ton of chlorine or shock (which I didn't want), but now I'm unsure of how to proceed to get things leveled out. This seems almost like an unintentional acid start, which I would have liked to avoid based on what @onBalance said about it shortening the lifespan of the plaster.

This is my first pool, so I'm in uncharted waters here. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
I am in the same boat as you (in TX) but a month into my new plaster. I also have around a 16k gallon pool.

Since you are in AZ and your CYA is 0, wouldn't the heat burn off your FC? Whag is your pool temp? Also do you have a chlorinator and did the PB add any tabs, if so, you can try setting that to 0 and possible wait it out?

Once again I am learning as I go but wanted to see what the experts think @kimkats
 
waterwhole said:
I am in the same boat as you (in TX) but a month into my new plaster. I also have around a 16k gallon pool.

Since you are in AZ and your CYA is 0, wouldn't the heat burn off your FC? Whag is your pool temp? Also do you have a chlorinator and did the PB add any tabs, if so, you can try setting that to 0 and possible wait it out?

Once again I am learning as I go but wanted to see what the experts think @kimkats
Click to expand...
That's my only assumption currently... that I just need to wait and let the FC burn off some. Not sure what the pool temp is. I'm a Firefighter and I'm on shift until Sunday morning so I can't check. From my Omni automation app it doesn't seem like he setup the temperature sensor yet. He said setup wont be finished until he comes back on Monday anyway. It's been sunny and 115 the last few days, but some clouds rolled in this evening.

I guess my biggest concern is how aggressively should I attempt to correct the high FC and low PH since it's brand new pebble? Seems like an unnecessary corrosive environment for fresh plaster. But I also am just learning...
 
Winter247 said:
That's my only assumption currently... that I just need to wait and let the FC burn off some. Not sure what the pool temp is. I'm a Firefighter and I'm on shift until Sunday morning so I can't check. From my Omni automation app it doesn't seem like he setup the temperature sensor yet. He said setup wont be finished until he comes back on Monday anyway. It's been sunny and 115 the last few days, but some clouds rolled in this evening.

I guess my biggest concern is how aggressively should I attempt to correct the high FC and low PH since it's brand new pebble? Seems like an unnecessary corrosive environment for fresh plaster. But I also am just learning...
Click to expand...
I’m definitely no expert as my pool is only a few months old now but thanks to this site it’s been a dream to take care of. As far as fc goes it will be at zero by 10am without cya so no need to worry about it being high. What you will need to worry about is it being low. You’ll want to focus on getting cya to a minimum of 40 so that fc can hold and prevent algae. After that maintain fc according to the cya/fc chart that’s floating around. Also ensure you are brushing the pool the first week so that plaster dust can get worked around. I’m sure the pros will be around to help out soon
 
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You rang??? Hi and here we go!!! I have some helpful links for you to read over. Once you read them PLEASE come back and ask any and all question you might have! It is a LOT of info so I want to make sure you know the whats and whys to keep that new pool looking great!

Here is the FC/CYA chart for liquid chlorine:
screenshot_20230304_131304_chrome-jpg.479125


Here is how to start up new plaster:
I am guessing you both had the traditional start up so go with it
Start-up New Plaster

Do you both have Pool Math? If not here is the link for it:
PoolMath This will do all of the work for you as far as knowing how much of what to add to fix this and that.

Our recommended chemicals can be bought at Walmart, Lowes, etc. NO need to go to the pool $tore to empty your wallet!

I am also going to include my set of links I put together for new pool owners. This will be for when your plaster is mostly cured:
Pool care links:
Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule
Pool School - Recommended Levels

Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals
Trouble Free Pool
Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
 
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You are correct that the pool guy is probably performing an acid startup. They don't want the plaster dust to stick and cover up the exposed aggregates (pebble), so they think the only way to prevent that is doing an acid startup. If only more pool builders understood the damage being done by acid treatments, AND learned about the Bicarb startup that prevents plaster dust forming completely and protects the new finish at the same time.

High chlorine levels are not a problem for plaster finishes (including pebble finishes) and do not cause any damage. The only concern is if the blue color pigment isn't colorfast. And if the pigments aren't colorfast, then they will eventually bleach out no matter what. I have posted several write ups about color pigments here on TFP if you are interested.

I think you need to allow the startup guy finish the startup program because that makes them responsible for the outcome.
However, you could instruct him to get the water balanced asap. That shouldn't void the warranty.

Kimkats provided a lot of good info for taking of your pool once the startup process is over.
 
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onBalance said:
You are correct that the pool guy is probably performing an acid startup. They don't want the plaster dust to stick and cover up the exposed aggregates (pebble), so they think the only way to prevent that is doing an acid startup. If only more pool builders understood the damage being done by acid treatments, AND learned about the Bicarb startup that prevents plaster dust forming completely and protects the new finish at the same time.

High chlorine levels are not a problem for plaster finishes (including pebble finishes) and do not cause any damage. The only concern is if the blue color pigment isn't colorfast. And if the pigments aren't colorfast, then they will eventually bleach out no matter what. I have posted several write ups about color pigments here on TFP if you are interested.

I think you need to allow the startup guy finish the startup program because that makes them responsible for the outcome.
However, you could instruct him to get the water balanced asap. That shouldn't void the warranty.

Kimkats provided a lot of good info for taking of your pool once the startup process is over.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response! I've read several of your posts/articles on both the bicarbonate startup and the pigment issues. We specifically made sure our pigment was the current NPT issued standard for Tropics Blue (which is supposedly colorfast) and not one of the many substitutes finish companies often use.

I wanted to do the bicarb startup but apparently things didn't work out as planned. I'm the owner/builder so it's on me. I'll be getting things balanced asap.

Had my wife test the water and @New2pools520 was correct. FC dropped to 2 overnight. I'll have her add Borax and CYA according to Pool Math and hopefully things will start to level out. :)

Screenshot_20230722_144848.jpg
 

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