Unsafe to swim in a new pool before treating it?

[Fill in the Blank]

I started filling my brand new pool, yesterday, and it looks like it's going to be finished at some point, today. My kids have been chomping at the bit ever since we told them we were getting a pool, and now that's it's practically here, they can think of nothing else. Hard to blame them, since it's over 100F and humid as heck right now...

Anyway, my new-pool orientation isn't until tomorrow when the pool-guy comes out, turns everything on, shows me how to work it, and treats it for the first time. I'm wondering if it would be safe to let the family enjoy a dip in the pool before then.

 

[duraleigh]

What size (gallons) is it?

 

[Fill in the Blank]

It's roughly 15,000gal.

 

[duraleigh]

Put in one small (96 oz) of Clorox bleach for sanitation and go swimming. This will get consumed each day so put a new one in each day until your pool guy comes out.

 

[techguy]

If you are going to use BBB methods with your pool, be sure you know what the PB uses in his startup kit and that you don't end up with metals- based algaecide or too much conditioner.

 

[Fill in the Blank]

I tested the water with a litmus strip, and it measures about 8 on the Ph level. Is that too high to be safe, even with the bleach?

 

[Richard320]

You'd let them in the bathtub filled with the same water, wouldn't you?

The water won't affect the kids as much as the kids will affect the water.

 

[Vette]

I tested the water with a litmus strip, and it measures about 8 on the Ph level. Is that too high to be safe, even with the bleach?

Well those are pretty inaccurate, but 8 PH isn't unsafe. PH doesn't really make a pool safe or unsafe, it has more to do with keeping your pump system from corroding. Although if your PH is really bad, it can cause irritation. But 8 isn't really bad.

 

[techguy]

sWIM, it's just a big bathtub. Add some chlorine like the water treatment plant does. It will burn off without CYA but enjoy!

 

[Stuamurr]

yip, dump a couple of litres of plain bleach into it and swim on! a pH of 8 is a 'bit' uncomfortable for the eye and skin which is 7.5, but if that's your source water, like Richard320 says, they bathe in that water source anyway.

Stu