Just want to let you all know how very helpful this site has been in getting started. Hubby found your site a few months back when we were just thinking about getting a pool and deciding if we wanted to go saltwater or chlorine. After lots of reading (Pool School, ABC's of Pool Water, etc) and rereading, I would appreciate any feedback/advice anyone can provide in regards to being on the right track...
Finally filled our 24' round /52" high AG pool (Wil-Bar St. Thomas, 1.5 hp Hayward Pro-Series w/ Power Flo Matrix pump) and were able start filter today. I estimated volume using pool calculator at 13.5K and rounded up to 14,000. Pool came with a Pentair (Rainbow Lifeguard) 78DPD test kit which tests for FC, CC, pH, TA. It did not test for CYA so we bought test strips (aqua chem) to get us started. Plan to order the TF-100 from your site. Pool kit also came with hypochlorite packages which I opted not to use...
We did our 1st water test using the above mentioned kit and test strips. Since we filled w/ well water FC/CC/CYA were non-existant, pH level was 6.8 (possibly lower), TA very low.
This afternoon I placed a sock full of CYA (granular) in front of the return jet to start building that number up, but because I don't have an accurate way to test CYA yet I don't want to put too much in. Pool calculator recommended 75 oz., I probably used about 16 oz. today and plan on the same for tomorrow. It's my understanding that I can't backwash for about 48 hours as I try to build CYA.
This evening I added 192 oz of 6% liquid bleach and about 4 lbs of baking soda. I purchased Borax to raise the pH level, but decided to see how the baking soda does. Both will raise pH, but if I stabilize the TA I should have better control of pH...correct? Hubby also built a fountain for aeration, but we haven't hooked it up yet.
Am I on the right track at this point? What should I expect over the next few days? As for the Pool Calculator, I love it, but have one question regarding the tempereature section: Does it refer to air temp or water temp?
Thanks again for providing such great resources
Finally filled our 24' round /52" high AG pool (Wil-Bar St. Thomas, 1.5 hp Hayward Pro-Series w/ Power Flo Matrix pump) and were able start filter today. I estimated volume using pool calculator at 13.5K and rounded up to 14,000. Pool came with a Pentair (Rainbow Lifeguard) 78DPD test kit which tests for FC, CC, pH, TA. It did not test for CYA so we bought test strips (aqua chem) to get us started. Plan to order the TF-100 from your site. Pool kit also came with hypochlorite packages which I opted not to use...
We did our 1st water test using the above mentioned kit and test strips. Since we filled w/ well water FC/CC/CYA were non-existant, pH level was 6.8 (possibly lower), TA very low.
This afternoon I placed a sock full of CYA (granular) in front of the return jet to start building that number up, but because I don't have an accurate way to test CYA yet I don't want to put too much in. Pool calculator recommended 75 oz., I probably used about 16 oz. today and plan on the same for tomorrow. It's my understanding that I can't backwash for about 48 hours as I try to build CYA.
This evening I added 192 oz of 6% liquid bleach and about 4 lbs of baking soda. I purchased Borax to raise the pH level, but decided to see how the baking soda does. Both will raise pH, but if I stabilize the TA I should have better control of pH...correct? Hubby also built a fountain for aeration, but we haven't hooked it up yet.
Am I on the right track at this point? What should I expect over the next few days? As for the Pool Calculator, I love it, but have one question regarding the tempereature section: Does it refer to air temp or water temp?
Thanks again for providing such great resources