Owner built gunite startup chemicals???

[36racin]

Currently building a 15x30 gunite pool. 3.5 to 6" deep salt water pool. Diamond Brite finish. Since I am doing a owner build I will not have a builder support on startup of the pool. Can someone please tell me what chemicals I will need upon startup of my pool? I have had a pool years ago so have some knowledge of pool chemistry. I'm sure many things have changed since my last pool though.

Thanks,
Todd

 

[Richard320]

http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/154-start-up-new-pool-plaster

Get it balanced and running as a bleach pool. After a month you can add salt and get the SWG going. If you don;t have a proper test kit yet, order one now.

 

[36racin]

http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/154-start-up-new-pool-plaster

Get it balanced and running as a bleach pool. After a month you can add salt and get the SWG going. If you don;t have a proper test kit yet, order one now.

Thanks for the reply and the link. I purchased the TP-100 this morning. I've been lurking around here for some time now and have seen it mentioned many times. As for the chemicals I was more looking for what I needed to purchase.

Todd

 

[JasonLion]

That depends on your fill water. The only things you need for sure are CYA and chlorine. But chances are you will need other things, depending on you fill water numbers and startup style.

 

[Melt In The Sun]

With brand new plaster you're going to need some muriatic acid as well...probably at least a few gallons.

 

[JasonLion]

You don't use much acid for a bicarb startup. You use lots and lots of acid for an acid start.

 

[Melt In The Sun]

You're still going to need it, even if not in the first couple weeks.

 

[jblizzle]

From all the info from OnBalance, if you have the choice, the bi-carb start-up seems like the way to go. Although it also appears to be more work, but should provide a better product.

Here is the thread he made, might want to search for more of his posts as well.
http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/59984-A-Bicarb-Start-up-guide-for-TFP-members

 

[36racin]

That depends on your fill water. The only things you need for sure are CYA and chlorine. But chances are you will need other things, depending on you fill water numbers and startup style.

Jason,
Here's a link to my water well thread I asked about sometime last year. This pool has been in the making for several years now. Those were the sample results we got from the sample back then. I can have them all ran again. I was also considering going to a water softner as well if $$$ permit.

http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/58009-Well-Water

Todd

 

[JasonLion]

Conductivity 271
PH 7.8
Fe 0.09ppm
Ca 30
Hardness 50ppm
Alk 120ppm

Those numbers look fairly good. Based on that you will need some calcium, but not in the first week.

The next big question is what kind of startup you want to do. A bicarb startup is the best, but it is more work than an acid start (which is the main alternative). For a bicarb startup you need quite a bit of baking soda. For an acid startup you need quite a bit of acid.

 

[fgonz]

just had pool finish redone with colorscapes which i believe is the same as diamond brite. finish is dark grey (cornerstone). my startup guy went with acid startup and 4 days later pool finish looks very good.

 

[onBalance]

Here is another link for information on why the Bicarb Start-up is best. http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/39212-The-Bicarb-Start-up-and-Why-it-Works

 

[36racin]

just had pool finish redone with colorscapes which i believe is the same as diamond brite. finish is dark grey (cornerstone). my startup guy went with acid startup and 4 days later pool finish looks very good.

Ok is a acid startup and acid wash of the plaster the same thing?? I do have acid wash included in my plaster(diamond brite) install price.