Hello all. I'm a first time pool owner receiving no help from my pool builder for the startup. I assume this is traditional startup. I just filled up my new pool last Friday/Saturday March 11. When it was full, PB came over and dumped a gallon of Startup-Tec treatment that he said helps prevent and remove calcium/plaster dust. Then he gave me a brush and put the suction vacuum in the pool and tried to start the filter VS pump. He usually installs single speed pumps, but I insisted on a variable speed pump. When he couldn't figure out how to turn it on, he told me to call Pentair's technical support.
I was able to get the filter pump going. I called PB back and he basically told me I didn't need to add anything to the pool. I just needed to keep brushing and keep the pump running 24/7 for the first few weeks. I questioned him about adding muriatic acid and chlorine. He told me not to worry about it.
I've never had a swimming pool before, but have been reading up a lot on this wonderful site for over a year while our pool was getting built. So I'm very concerned about the PB's advice so far.
I tested the water on 3-12-17 for the first time with the following results:
FC 0
CC Not tested
PH 8.2
TA 200
CH 350
CYA not tested
water temp 65 deg
on 3-13-2017:
I added 100 oz of muriatic acid
Pool builder dropped off some trichlor tabs and told me to put 4 in the skimmer basket which I did.
on 3-14-2017:
FC .5
CC not tested
PH 8.2
TA not tested
CH not tested
CYA not tested
I added 3 pints of muriatic acid
on 3-15-2017:
FC .3
CC not tested
PH 8.0
TA 160
CH 250-275
CYA not tested
water temp 62 deg F
on 3-16-17:
FC 1
CC 0.5
PH 8.1
TA 180
CH 275-300 ( It is hard to tell on test)
CYA less than 20 ( I could see the dot clearly with the tube filled up completely)
water temp 63 deg F
on 3-17-17:
the autocover was installed today and is currently covering pool. 3HP filter pump is still running at 3000 rpm.
Where to begin?
First, do I need to be adding liquid chlorine to get the FC up to 3+?
second, should I get some CYA and put in skimmer basket ?
Any advice or suggestions would be very welcome.
Thanks,
I was able to get the filter pump going. I called PB back and he basically told me I didn't need to add anything to the pool. I just needed to keep brushing and keep the pump running 24/7 for the first few weeks. I questioned him about adding muriatic acid and chlorine. He told me not to worry about it.
I've never had a swimming pool before, but have been reading up a lot on this wonderful site for over a year while our pool was getting built. So I'm very concerned about the PB's advice so far.
I tested the water on 3-12-17 for the first time with the following results:
FC 0
CC Not tested
PH 8.2
TA 200
CH 350
CYA not tested
water temp 65 deg
on 3-13-2017:
I added 100 oz of muriatic acid
Pool builder dropped off some trichlor tabs and told me to put 4 in the skimmer basket which I did.
on 3-14-2017:
FC .5
CC not tested
PH 8.2
TA not tested
CH not tested
CYA not tested
I added 3 pints of muriatic acid
on 3-15-2017:
FC .3
CC not tested
PH 8.0
TA 160
CH 250-275
CYA not tested
water temp 62 deg F
on 3-16-17:
FC 1
CC 0.5
PH 8.1
TA 180
CH 275-300 ( It is hard to tell on test)
CYA less than 20 ( I could see the dot clearly with the tube filled up completely)
water temp 63 deg F
on 3-17-17:
the autocover was installed today and is currently covering pool. 3HP filter pump is still running at 3000 rpm.
Where to begin?
First, do I need to be adding liquid chlorine to get the FC up to 3+?
second, should I get some CYA and put in skimmer basket ?
Any advice or suggestions would be very welcome.
Thanks,