Fresh Fill

[mnasholm]

I'm going to be filling my pool for the first time this weekend. I've read though everything but I just have a few questions.
Also can you make sure my steps are right:
Once Filled I will test the PH and make sure thats good to go (I tested the tap and its 7.5)
Put CYA (according to Pool Calc) in a sock in front of the return untill desolved and test after a week.

Now how much bleach to I put in off the getgo?
Also I will be gone for 3 days coming up, What do I do in that time frame away from the pool.

Thanks for your help and this wonderful forum.

 

[jblizzle]

Add about 2ppm of FC right off the bat.
Once the CYA is starting to dissolve, then maintain the FC based on your target CYA level.

If you have a floater with some tablets, a 3 day hiatus would be a good time to float them to add CYA and FC.
Otherwise, raise the FC to shock level and cover the pool.

 

[mnasholm]

I dont have a floater but might get one. Otherwise it sounds like 1 bottle of bleach will get me darn close at CYA 30

 

[jblizzle]

IF you do not have tablets and a floater, then I would not buy them.

 

[mnasholm]

Sounds good! Does the rest of my beginning process seem right?
Do I run the pump 24/7 till the CYA is dissolved then start out at 4hr a day?

 

[jblizzle]

That sounds like a plan. Squeeze the sock to help the CYA dissolve.

 

[mnasholm]

Getting Closer, got the pump plumbed to the filter. Liner going in tomorrow.

 

[mnasholm]

Pulled old liner out and this was under it. Not too bad but I'm going to lay down a new layer of sand.

 

[mnasholm]

First readings in.
5/9/15
TC 0
Ph 7.5
Ch 75
Ta 40?


So I'm assuming once it's full and pump is going I can go right to cya and 2ppm of bleach?

 

[mnasholm]

Bump.

 

[pooldv]

Congrats on the new pool! Should be a great summer!

Chlorine should never be allowed to drop below the minimum FC level for your CYA level or algae will start to grow. Even on day 1. As Jason said above add 2ppm FC right off the bat. Did you add the 30 ppm CYA yet? The Chlorine CYA Chart shows that the minimum FC level for 30ppm CYA is 2ppm and the target is 4. So, add enough FC daily to bring FC to 4ppm. If you are unable to test or add for a few days then you can target 10-12ppm to hold you over a few days. Keep your FC above 2 and you will never have to worry about SLAMing your pool.

Not sure how much pool school you have read, here are a few of the basics.
TFPC for Beginners
ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

Here are the Recommended Levels for your pool.
Here are the Recommended Pool Chemicals to maintain your pool.
And use PoolMath to determine how much to add.

 

[mnasholm]

Thanks fo the reply. I understand most of everything just wasn't sure on what to do with the fresh fill. I will be adding the cya tomorrow once it's full enough to run the pump. I added just over 2 cups of bleach and will add more tomorrow to get it to 4.

 

[mnasholm]

Liner installed! CYA is all dissolved and bleach is being added each day. I'm going to test everything again today but I think my PH and TA are low but I will ask for help once I test again. Last time I tested it was still filling.

Here are some photos of the install and fill

 

[pooldv]

Alright! Looking good. Ready for summer now!

 

[mnasholm]

Thanks pooldv!
I'm very excited, my wife is so over me talking about it 24/7 haha

 

[Richard320]

You know, I was about to crack the joke about you need to put some water in there when I realized there was only a little water in there.

Stick with our methods and you'll understand. Your pool water can be so clear that when the pump is off and the surface is calm, you'll do a doubletake some day thinking all the water leaked out.

 

[mnasholm]

Thanks Richard, I had my wife get me a box of borax today. I'm gonna tests again when I get home but I think my ph and ta is low.

 

[mnasholm]

First filled test results

TC 1
PH 6.8
FC 2
CC .5
CH 50
TA 50
CYA 50?

I added the cya yesterday, would I see that much already?

 

[jblizzle]

How much CYA did you add?

Bump that pH up some, the TA could go up to around 20ppm too.

 

[mnasholm]

I added according to pool math. I think the gallons might of been a bit too much.
I added 37 oz on HTH stabilizer and conditioner.

Adding Borax now according to pool math to raise PH