Hello Everyone! I read the Pool School and numerous posts, but I wanted some feedback on my pool chem numbers. We are brand new pool owners and the contractor was not the best to say the least. I knew nothing on what to do after getting pool full of water and was flying blind until a few days ago. Thankfully there are sites like this for help! My other source of help was the local Leslies Pool. He has been helpful, but I think he also wants to sell me lots of $$$ chemicals!
Pool was filled on July 2nd from our main public water line to the home. All of my specs should be in my sig line as per the request from the Pool School. I would be happy to provide anything else if needed. I live in the Upstate of SC for climate info.
Had the pool tested by Leslie's last Thurs since my test strips were giving me odd readings. Turns out they were right. Prior to testing I had my Aqua Rite set at 60% since turning on, my pump was running around 20hrs a day. The only thing we added to the water prior to testing was enough salt to get the level up. That was all I was told I needed to do to get my pool ready, that is it! Pool water was crystal clear but my liner was very slippery, I actually slipped and fell getting into the pool!
This is what it was then as tested by Leslie's:
FAC - 0.5
TAC - 0.5
Salt - 3000
CH - 60
TA - 50
pH - 7.4
CYA - 5
Copper - 0
Iron - 0
Phosphates - 300
They told me to add their "super shock" and chlorinator so I added 3 small bags. That brought up the FAC to 1 after two days. After reading some of the Pool School, I then added some 6% bleach. I also added 7lbs of baking soda for my TA. I added 6lbs of CYA. I also bought Leslie's expensive PhosFree and added that the day I got home and then backwashed 2 days later as per the instructions. Lastly I cranked up my Aqua Rite to 100% and used the "super chlorinate" setting for 2 separate days. The pool liner slippery-ness went away within 48 hrs of adding the "super shock".
Here are my test results today from Leslie's (I dont own a nice test kit yet, that is next on my list!)
FAC - 4
TAC - 4
Salt - 3000
CH - 60
CYA - 40
TA - 50
pH - 7.2
Copper - 0
Iron - 0
Pho - 300
I am happy my chlorine levels are finally up. I am assuming I can back off the 100% setting on my SWG. Not sure where I should back it off too. What bugs me is that my TA didnt move after adding that baking soda. I thought I used the Pool Calc correctly and added the right amount. I have not gone back to that yet. My pH dropped slightly, is that a concern? We have had lots of rain but not enough to raise the pool level by much. My Pho didnt drop after adding their chemicals to my filter. They also want me to buy over $100 worth of hardness chemicals to get my CH up to 200-400. From the Pool School it said I dont need to worry about CH with a vinyl pool, is that correct?
So - how do things look? Any suggestions other than get a good test kit? I am ordering that this week!
Thanks!
Pool was filled on July 2nd from our main public water line to the home. All of my specs should be in my sig line as per the request from the Pool School. I would be happy to provide anything else if needed. I live in the Upstate of SC for climate info.
Had the pool tested by Leslie's last Thurs since my test strips were giving me odd readings. Turns out they were right. Prior to testing I had my Aqua Rite set at 60% since turning on, my pump was running around 20hrs a day. The only thing we added to the water prior to testing was enough salt to get the level up. That was all I was told I needed to do to get my pool ready, that is it! Pool water was crystal clear but my liner was very slippery, I actually slipped and fell getting into the pool!
This is what it was then as tested by Leslie's:
FAC - 0.5
TAC - 0.5
Salt - 3000
CH - 60
TA - 50
pH - 7.4
CYA - 5
Copper - 0
Iron - 0
Phosphates - 300
They told me to add their "super shock" and chlorinator so I added 3 small bags. That brought up the FAC to 1 after two days. After reading some of the Pool School, I then added some 6% bleach. I also added 7lbs of baking soda for my TA. I added 6lbs of CYA. I also bought Leslie's expensive PhosFree and added that the day I got home and then backwashed 2 days later as per the instructions. Lastly I cranked up my Aqua Rite to 100% and used the "super chlorinate" setting for 2 separate days. The pool liner slippery-ness went away within 48 hrs of adding the "super shock".
Here are my test results today from Leslie's (I dont own a nice test kit yet, that is next on my list!)
FAC - 4
TAC - 4
Salt - 3000
CH - 60
CYA - 40
TA - 50
pH - 7.2
Copper - 0
Iron - 0
Pho - 300
I am happy my chlorine levels are finally up. I am assuming I can back off the 100% setting on my SWG. Not sure where I should back it off too. What bugs me is that my TA didnt move after adding that baking soda. I thought I used the Pool Calc correctly and added the right amount. I have not gone back to that yet. My pH dropped slightly, is that a concern? We have had lots of rain but not enough to raise the pool level by much. My Pho didnt drop after adding their chemicals to my filter. They also want me to buy over $100 worth of hardness chemicals to get my CH up to 200-400. From the Pool School it said I dont need to worry about CH with a vinyl pool, is that correct?
So - how do things look? Any suggestions other than get a good test kit? I am ordering that this week!
Thanks!
