We are nearing the end of our pool build and we are plastering on Monday (midnight blue color). The PB hasn't talked about the start up procedure specifically yet, but I think he does an acid start up. I just want to make sure I know what I'm doing before the time comes. I've read through Pool School and Pool Math several times, and I think I know what I'm doing but I probably won't know for sure until the time comes to actually start doing the testing and adjusting myself. I've downloaded the swimming pool start up procedures checklist from National Plasterers Council so I think I have a handle on that. Based upon some of the info I"ve found on TFP and this start up checklist, here is my game plan:
First of all, here is my fill water stats-
pH - 8.2 (or greater)
FC - 1.0
CC - 3.5 (is this normal for tap water? I did the test twice, took 7 drops)
CH - 50
TA - 50
Day of Plaster
- Try to get 6 hours inbetween plaster and water filling (to help harden surface, I got this from TFP's new plaster start up page)
- Use two hoses in deep end with clean cloth around the end to fill up as fast as possible, no stopping
- When in the middle of the skimmer, turn off
- Test the water for ph, TA, CH (and metals? per the NPC page...don't know how to do that)
- Start pool pump immediately and leave it running 24 hrs a day
Next day
- Test pH, TA, CH
- Adjust TA to 80
- Adjust pH to 7.2 to 7.6 (most likely will have to reduce down with MA)
- Brush pool surface entirely
- Don't add chlorine
- Don't adjust CH
2nd Day
- Test pH, TA, CH
- Adjust TA to 80
- Adjust pH to 7.2 to 7.6
- Brush pool surface entirely
- Adjust CH to a minimum of 150
3rd Day
- Repeat earlier steps through brushing
- Chlorine can be added up to 3 (at least 1.5)
4th thru 28th Day
- Repeat same steps through brushing
- CH should slowly be adjusted not to exceed 200
- CYA should be adjusted to 30-50
So my first question is, does this plan look right? I don't know how much PB will be doing and how much I will be doing, but I'll make sure to find out so we don't step on each other's toes.
Right now my biggest concern is brushing. We are supposed to go to my mother's house for Thanksgiving on Friday and not returning until Sunday afternoon. It's only a 45 minute drive away, so if worse comes to worse, I can just drive back to brush. Although it will certainly be a hassle to drive back twice a day on Saturday. I don't have anyone around to brush for me. I'm thinking about trying to get Thanksgiving moved to our house. How imperative is it to brush twice a day, will one good long brushing in the middle of the day suffice for Saturday?
As far as chemicals, I'm still looking for my sources. I stopped by Home Depot on the way home last night and picked up a few gallons of bleach (even though I know i'll probably use the pucks in the very beginning to slowly introduce CYA). I also picked up some baking soda. They didn't have the muriatic acid that I was looking for, so I'll need to look for that somewhere else. What about calcium chloride? Since I'm in TX, the Home Depots around here don't carry the ice melting products (that I can find). I have a local ACE hardware here in my small town, I might try to go look someday. Any other suggestions?
Thanks all so much. This website is incredible!
First of all, here is my fill water stats-
pH - 8.2 (or greater)
FC - 1.0
CC - 3.5 (is this normal for tap water? I did the test twice, took 7 drops)
CH - 50
TA - 50
Day of Plaster
- Try to get 6 hours inbetween plaster and water filling (to help harden surface, I got this from TFP's new plaster start up page)
- Use two hoses in deep end with clean cloth around the end to fill up as fast as possible, no stopping
- When in the middle of the skimmer, turn off
- Test the water for ph, TA, CH (and metals? per the NPC page...don't know how to do that)
- Start pool pump immediately and leave it running 24 hrs a day
Next day
- Test pH, TA, CH
- Adjust TA to 80
- Adjust pH to 7.2 to 7.6 (most likely will have to reduce down with MA)
- Brush pool surface entirely
- Don't add chlorine
- Don't adjust CH
2nd Day
- Test pH, TA, CH
- Adjust TA to 80
- Adjust pH to 7.2 to 7.6
- Brush pool surface entirely
- Adjust CH to a minimum of 150
3rd Day
- Repeat earlier steps through brushing
- Chlorine can be added up to 3 (at least 1.5)
4th thru 28th Day
- Repeat same steps through brushing
- CH should slowly be adjusted not to exceed 200
- CYA should be adjusted to 30-50
So my first question is, does this plan look right? I don't know how much PB will be doing and how much I will be doing, but I'll make sure to find out so we don't step on each other's toes.
Right now my biggest concern is brushing. We are supposed to go to my mother's house for Thanksgiving on Friday and not returning until Sunday afternoon. It's only a 45 minute drive away, so if worse comes to worse, I can just drive back to brush. Although it will certainly be a hassle to drive back twice a day on Saturday. I don't have anyone around to brush for me. I'm thinking about trying to get Thanksgiving moved to our house. How imperative is it to brush twice a day, will one good long brushing in the middle of the day suffice for Saturday?
As far as chemicals, I'm still looking for my sources. I stopped by Home Depot on the way home last night and picked up a few gallons of bleach (even though I know i'll probably use the pucks in the very beginning to slowly introduce CYA). I also picked up some baking soda. They didn't have the muriatic acid that I was looking for, so I'll need to look for that somewhere else. What about calcium chloride? Since I'm in TX, the Home Depots around here don't carry the ice melting products (that I can find). I have a local ACE hardware here in my small town, I might try to go look someday. Any other suggestions?
Thanks all so much. This website is incredible!