Hi everyone, new user and new pool owner here. Let me start by saying the minute I walked into the pool store for the first time, I knew I was about to be taken. It took a couple weeks, but I found myself here. I have the Taylor K-2006 test kit and I think I'm ready to DIY this thing. I have some questions I'm hoping folks can answer. Thanks in advance.
I'll skip the long story . . . we're about 35 since opening and we've added no chlorine since then. Like I said, it's a long story. Can I assume that both FC and CC are zero? Or should I do the test and report the results here? Note that multiple pool store tests have been zero for both measures.
My CYA is off the chart, both according to the pool store and my own test. I've been draining a bit here and there, but it's tough. I'm afraid to drain too much because I don't want to damage my liner and erode the soil from my entire yard, among other reasons. no real question here . . . I've read that the CYA reducing packs are not necessarily effective. my guess is the previous owner used nothing but 1 lb packs of stabilized trichlor from the pool store for years. I found 2 of them in a storage bin. there's no chlorinator, and I think he would have left me one of the floating ducks if he was using tabs. I guess maybe my question is should I avoid adding any more CYA at all costs? I'm leaning towards yes.
It took a couple weeks but I think I got the water balanced. I'm still new at reading the test, but I think I'm at 7.4. Should I start testing each day. Should I always have something on hand that will raise or lower the pH as necessary?
I tested TA at 150. Should I worry about that now? or just get to sanitizing ASAP?
I have yellow staining on the seams of the liner and in random other spots. probably algae right? should I start the SLAM process?
I have small clumps of sand in the shallow end. I'm guessing it's from the filter somehow. How could that happen? What should I do about it? Is it an indication that something is wrong with the filter or the pump?
I just want to make sure I understand the concept of sanitizing with bleach. Does everyone just buy jug after jug of plain old household bleach? once I get things stabilized, will I just need to be in the habit of dumping bleach in the pool everyday? will I need a jug or more each day? I guess it depends on the jug size and the concentration.
Additional info . . . I'm in the Philly area. It can get pretty warm here in the summer. 90s and up here and there, but average highs probably less that 90. the pool is in the sun most of the day. no trees around to shade the chlorine.
Looking forward to swimming in the thing by Labor Day
Edit: Sorry, long post, probably too many questions.
I'll skip the long story . . . we're about 35 since opening and we've added no chlorine since then. Like I said, it's a long story. Can I assume that both FC and CC are zero? Or should I do the test and report the results here? Note that multiple pool store tests have been zero for both measures.
My CYA is off the chart, both according to the pool store and my own test. I've been draining a bit here and there, but it's tough. I'm afraid to drain too much because I don't want to damage my liner and erode the soil from my entire yard, among other reasons. no real question here . . . I've read that the CYA reducing packs are not necessarily effective. my guess is the previous owner used nothing but 1 lb packs of stabilized trichlor from the pool store for years. I found 2 of them in a storage bin. there's no chlorinator, and I think he would have left me one of the floating ducks if he was using tabs. I guess maybe my question is should I avoid adding any more CYA at all costs? I'm leaning towards yes.
It took a couple weeks but I think I got the water balanced. I'm still new at reading the test, but I think I'm at 7.4. Should I start testing each day. Should I always have something on hand that will raise or lower the pH as necessary?
I tested TA at 150. Should I worry about that now? or just get to sanitizing ASAP?
I have yellow staining on the seams of the liner and in random other spots. probably algae right? should I start the SLAM process?
I have small clumps of sand in the shallow end. I'm guessing it's from the filter somehow. How could that happen? What should I do about it? Is it an indication that something is wrong with the filter or the pump?
I just want to make sure I understand the concept of sanitizing with bleach. Does everyone just buy jug after jug of plain old household bleach? once I get things stabilized, will I just need to be in the habit of dumping bleach in the pool everyday? will I need a jug or more each day? I guess it depends on the jug size and the concentration.
Additional info . . . I'm in the Philly area. It can get pretty warm here in the summer. 90s and up here and there, but average highs probably less that 90. the pool is in the sun most of the day. no trees around to shade the chlorine.
Looking forward to swimming in the thing by Labor Day
Edit: Sorry, long post, probably too many questions.