Bicarb startup - guidance on how to calculate amount of bicarb?

[onBalance]

It is understandable that pool builders want to make sure the color quartz shows up vividly. Unfortunately, they think that an acid wash is the only way to achieve that, and that an acid treatment does that quickly and easily, and cheaper. However, there is a way to expose the quartz sufficiently by simply using good troweling techniques. The article below explains how to easily do that.

Another way to expose the quartz color is by power sanding, but as mentioned above, it is time-consuming and more expensive. (Let's understand that power sanding is not for pebble finishes.) Hydrazzo finishes (which is also a quartz finish) specifically perform power sanding of their product. All quartz finishes could use that sanding program. That would cause less damage to the plaster surface.

Lastly, after a quartz plaster finish (and pebble) has been exposed by any method, a Bicarb startup can and should be used.

Why Acid Wash New Quartz Pool Finishes?

It is understood that muriatic acid can dissolve and etch a plaster surface. Therefore, why, after a plastering finisher works hard to achieve a smooth, hard, brand-new, hand-crafted, quartz pool-finish, would anyone immediately perform an “acid wash or acid bath” on that pool and that plaster...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[fnhanks]

I’ve tried searching and read the bicarb startup post, but I’m not entirely clear as to whether you need to wait for the full 3-4 weeks while doing the bicarb method to go swimming or if you can, but just need to keep an eye on your levels after the fact.

Can you? We’re coming down to the wire with my daughters upcoming birthday party so trying to see if the pool can be used or if it will just be there for looks at that point.

 

[Bperry]

I’ve tried searching and read the bicarb startup post, but I’m not entirely clear as to whether you need to wait for the full 3-4 weeks while doing the bicarb method to go swimming or if you can, but just need to keep an eye on your levels after the fact.

Can you? We’re coming down to the wire with my daughters upcoming birthday party so trying to see if the pool can be used or if it will just be there for looks at that point.

Do you have test results from a K2006C or a TF100?

 

[fnhanks]

We haven’t even plastered yet. The question is preemptive as most likely we’ll be plastering week after next and trying to gauge what we can do at that point.

I did use a TF Pro test kit to get results of my water as it is today to see how much baking soda to add, if that’s your question.

 

[Bperry]

We haven’t even plastered yet. The question is preemptive as most likely we’ll be plastering week after next and trying to gauge what we can do at that point.

I did use a TF Pro test kit to get results of my water as it is today to see how much baking soda to add, if that’s your question.

Ah. I was assuming plaster was done and you were already going through the startup.

 

[ajw22]

Nothing in the Bicarb startup prevents swimming in the water once the pool is filled and FC and pH are within guidelines.

 

[fnhanks]

Ahh sorry, yea should have made that clearer in my post. I’m a big planner so just trying to get ahead of the game here

So based on your question; it seemed to insinuate that as long as it rests within normal levels, it’s fair game? Still need to look what that is to ascertain if that conflicts with bicarb as that may answer my question

 

[fnhanks]

Nothing in the Bicarb startup prevents swimming in the water once the pool is filled and FC and pH are within guidelines.

Thanks! So basically as long as chlorine is good and PH is good it’s good to go? Given PH needs to be sub-8 for bicarb and will end up around 7.4 then it seems like we’re in business.

 

[fnhanks]

We're going to be filling our pool on Wednesday, following this method, and I wanted to ask a question regarding this callout:

the ends of each hose in the bottom of the pool is wrapped in cloth and taped to prevent the cloth from coming off during filling

What is the significance / purpose of wrapping the ends of the hoses? Is this necessary? Is it acting as a filter so the baking soda doesn't flow through or preventing the metal fixtures from touching the plaster? Or something else?

 

[ajw22]

What is the significance / purpose of wrapping the ends of the hoses? Is this necessary? Is it acting as a filter so the baking soda doesn't flow through or preventing the metal fixtures from touching the plaster? Or something else?

You want to spread out the water stream from the hose so that the water does not gouge the new plaster or have the water pool and stain an area.

 

[Mdragger88]

Lets tag @ajw22 as I believe he was helping you.