Filled pool with lake water, after 1st SLAM

[Ahshort]

Hi, I had crazy high CYA, replaced prolly 90% with water from the lake. After many adjustments, SLAM, and passing OCLT, I’m at
CYA. 35
FC 5
CC 0
PH 7.6
TA 90
CH. 90
Do I worry about the borderline high TA and the Low CH? This is a 15000 fiberglass pool. Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[Texas Splash]

Do I worry about the borderline high TA and the Low CH?

Nope. Focus on maintaining the proper FC based on a CYA of 40 as listed on the FC/CYA Levels and you should be fine.

 

[Texas Splash]

I'll be a bit more specific about the CH. Today's FG pools aren't made with calcium products, so etching is not a concern as it would be with a plaster pool. That's why I said not to worry about it initially. However, you'll see TFP recommend a minimum CH of 250, but that's primarily for stain prevention. So keep an eye on your shell. If you have any concerns about local water (or lake in this case) resulting in staining, you can always add a little bit of CH.

What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?

Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.

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[Oly]

Can you describe any water clarity difference between the fresh lake water fill vs how it looks now?
Any chance you have pictures? Also if you have a salt test kit can you post the salt ppm?

 

[Ahshort]

I dont have a salt test, should I get one? I have the Taylor k2006. No pics, says they’re too large for server, but the lake water was fairly clear, gets a bit murky in late summer but we’re fed by snowpack and it’s not really hot here yet. Was just a bit brownish. After SLAM it’s really clear. Just changed the filter cartridges they were kinda yucky from lake but not as bad as I thought they’d be. My thought was to keep CyA on the lower end to allow for wiggle room to use the pucks when I have to be away for a week. But idk…Those freaking pucks I used all last summer is what caused all this mess, b/c I didn’t educate myself and just trusted the pool store But it has an auto cover, would pool be OK with no added chlorine for a week if covered? Maybe bump chlorine level up before I leave?

 

[IceShadow]

No need for a salt test unless you get a SWG.

I'd try pushing the FC up near SLAM level, covering the pool, and then testing it. Kind of a dry run for when you're going to be away for a week - see if it holds. Test every other day or so, so you can abort the test and add chlorine if it gets too low (in which case you know what you'll need).

That said, you could certainly also add liquid to near SLAM level and float some pucks too. If FC is below minimum when you return you could raise up the FC to SLAM level and do an OCLT to see if you need to do a SLAM. If you did it would be pretty short.

 

[Oly]

My interest was the salt ppm of the lake water and not related to your pool system as it is.
I expect there would be a detectable salt level in your lake but nothing near what we see in lakes and wells in the high desert areas of CA.

 

[Ahshort]

Yeah, Thanks!, I like the trial idea. But would it affect if I swim in that period? Im in pool everyday in summer, helps my back. Usually just me during week, wkend as it bumps up. Maybe just do it for 2-3 days in crappy weather and get a feel for it? Not into getting a SWG, already spent a fortune, now I have just enough money left over for adult beverages around the pool…

 

[IceShadow]

If it holds with you swimming, you know it'll hold without you swimming. My guess is that removing the cover to swim will probably expose the pool to the sun enough that it'll need the tabs and won't be able to hold without them. But you can always try it and see.

 

[Ahshort]

I don’t think this lake is very high in salt; but we do get some algae bloom in late summer. So I’m very happy I figured out the CYA problem early when lake is at it clearest or else Id be pumping my well dry…

 

[Ahshort]

Yup thanks ima do the trial.

 

[duraleigh]

My pool I used to have was filled totally from brownish North Carolina pond water (43k) Successful each time.

The key to remember is after filtering VERY well, all you have left is........water!

 

[duraleigh]

Are you going to use your well for refill water?

 

[Ahshort]

Prolly, unless I need to refill a big amount. I started doing the water exchange with well water til I figured out it’d take over a week running 10 hrs a day with garden hoses and the well. Prolly more with the mixing factor, as I have to exchange, not empty and refill, b/c we’re on a high water table. So rented a couple submersible pumps, one in pool, one in lake, ran them 8 hrs one day and a couple hours the next morning just to be sure. So was nice to get the process done quickly so Pool wasn’t down too long. SLAM was 2 days, passed OCLT the 2nd night. I’d have been screwed had I not found this forum. Thanks everybody!