Confusion over startup. Pool math says not startup

[cubbieblue]

Hi all,
Just got pump running and want to get pool ready for a month of use before closing. What a project!
I could really use some help if you could spare me a few minutes! Thank you in advance for any advise!

I have bought 2gal muriatic acid, 5 lbs cya, 9 gal bleach, borax and baking soda so think I have what is needed.

I have read pool school many times and have now entered ph of 7.8 and ta of 280 into pool math calculator. (yes it took 28 drops to change color red.) Have the tf 100 kit. I understand i want to address ph and cya to start and then chlorine.

Pool math says not for startup so Im confused and don't want to apply chemicals unnecessarily. Why is that the case? Cant find anything for startup calculations.
Says to add 22oz of 31.45 20% Baume muriatic acid(which I specified) to lower ph and apparently TA.
Says to add 48oz of cya which will be through sock in skimmer.

Questions
1 Do I use this calculator for setup though it says not to? If not, what do i do?
2 Do these figures seem accurate for startup?
3 Is my course of action correct
4 Is there an easy way to add muriatic acid? Gloves and measuring cup? Seems pretty nasty to put in pool. Is there another method of adjusting ph and TA?
5 I've read that if cya and chlorine are good, I can swim right away. Is Sunday a possibility? Any other issue to be concerned about?
6 If you have any other words of wisdom for me, it would be greatly appreciated.

Love the site and im 100% on board. Just a little nervous adding chemicals to start and dont want to screw it up now.
Hoping for a real hot September. lol.

Go Cubs! dont hold that against me

 

[Richard320]

I think I see the source of your confusion.

Down near the bottom there is an area where you setup your parameters -- surface, source of chlorine, etc. Until you make your selections, the recommended levels are "not setup."

By all means go ahead and use poolmath to calculate the doses. One thing: go easy when you target pH, just in case the pool isn't as big as you think. That way you wont overshoot.

 

[cubbieblue]

Duh.... Thanks for clearing that up.

Any thoughts on the MA?

 

[cubbieblue]

I should also mention that the google play pool math app appears to give me different amounts of MA to add. Ill run with online info but that seemed curious...

 

[aussieta]

welcome to TFP
my disclaimer i am far from an expert but have been fooling everyone for a few years
dont get hung up on your ta it will settle down eventually
try reading this article
Pool School - PoolMath
first thing use pool math to lower your ph from 7.8 to 7.2 i get 58 oz muriatic acid
most people wear glasses and get upwind and just pour out a guestimate amount
it is safer than trying to pour exact amounts with the fumes
add enough liquid chlorine to get to about 5, i make it 60oz of 8.5% liquid chlorine aka bleach
add 36 oz of cya in an old sock or similar hanging in front of a return
if you place it in skimmer it must still be in old sock and pump must be left running as it is acidic
i would wait at least 1/2 hour after adding muriatic acid before swimming
enjoy
please post all test results in the following format
FC
CC
PH
TA
CH
CYA
would also be worth testing you fill water for PH, TA, CH

 

[Richard320]

If there's a discrepancy between the two apps, doublecheck that the default pool volume didn't return somehow. But if it's something within the code, go with the lower volume of MA. With your high TA, the pH will be bouncing back up really fast anyway, so you will be adding more acid again in a day or two anyway.

Add MA to lower pH. Then mess with the CYA granules and the sock. By the time you're done with that, you can add some bleach. With no CYA dissolved yet, target 3 FC. Then go put everything away and get changed and slather on sunscreen. Then you can get in. The CYA will dissolve faster if you give the sock a squeeze every few minutes.

 

[cubbieblue]

Oops. Did cya first last night and now to add MA. Is there an issue with that? Will ph affect cya? Guess i can look it up. So much to learn....
Hung sock in front of exit jet and it dissolved fairly quickly.
CH is 150 so I understand its fine with liner.
I understand cya readings may not be accurate for a week or so. Is that correct? Was thinking of waiting 5 days to retest.
Bleach and plunge soon. WOO HOO! I started project in May so kids going crazy, lol.
Thanks for your help Richard!!!!!

Karl

 

[Richard320]

The exact order is not critical.

CYA is a mild acid so it will have a slight effect on pH and TA. Five days is more than enough time for it to all dissolve and disperse. For the moment, consider that you have already reached your target and maintain the FC accordingly. [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA]