First day of all salt... low chlorine, low ph.. help!

[Poolnerdgrandma]

Test kit Taylor K2006 c
FC - .4
CC - 0
ph - bright yellow, took 7 drops of base demand to get 7.0 color
TA - 20
CYA - 30 - 40
CH 275
Salt (per pool equipment, need to buy salt test) 3100

Pump wasn't running over night, per PB schedule. Pump is now running. Chlorinator was set at 40%, I bumped it to 90%

I know I can add chlorine and baking soda to raise chlorine and ph. But should I? Will chlorinator raise PH? More importantly, will chlorinator raise chlorine and ph fast enough so that the ton of people headed our way for the 4th of July will be able to swim??? Pool looks good, clear and blue. There is a superchlorinator setting that I can use if I need to bump it up more.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[Richard320]

C) All of the above.

Ordinarily I';d say Baking Soda to get to 60 or 70 and hope the pH rises, but time is critical here, so if you have to go buy chemicals, buy Washing Soda/Soda Ash and work on the pH. It'll raise the TA a bunch, too. If you have chemicals, raise TA to 60 or 70 first, let it mix for half an hour (brush some, too, to help mix) and then check pH and adjust.

Definitely bring FC up using bleach, and if a lot of people will be in the pool, leave the SWG on high to replenish as you deplete.

 

[Poolnerdgrandma]

T

C) All of the above.

Ordinarily I';d say Baking Soda to get to 60 or 70 and hope the pH rises, but time is critical here, so if you have to go buy chemicals, buy Washing Soda/Soda Ash and work on the pH. It'll raise the TA a bunch, too. If you have chemicals, raise TA to 60 or 70 first, let it mix for half an hour (brush some, too, to help mix) and then check pH and adjust.

Definitely bring FC up using bleach, and if a lot of people will be in the pool, leave the SWG on high to replenish as you deplete.

Thanks - about to head to the grocery store, so... buy PLAIN bleach and Washing Soda?
Per poolmath app, looks like I need to add a gallon of bleach, and... a pound or two of washing soda?

 

[Poolnerdgrandma]

PS - it has been SUPER hot and sunny here in Seminole, Florida, so maybe that ate up all the chlorine? Can the pool have gotten too hot for the chlorinator to work?
PPS - Publix Bleach OK? Publix Bleach : Publix.com.
Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda? Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda : Publix.com

 

[Richard320]

T

Thanks - about to head to the grocery store, so... buy PLAIN bleach and Washing Soda?
Per poolmath app, looks like I need to add a gallon of bleach, and... a pound or two of washing soda?

I don;t see what you use as the volume. so I can;t check the math.

Yes, plain bleach, no scent, not splashless, no cloromax technology. If there's a big box store open, you might have better luck finding pool chlorine which is stronger and won't have any fancy unwanted additives.

 

[Poolnerdgrandma]

I don;t see what you use as the volume. so I can;t check the math.

Yes, plain bleach, no scent, not splashless, no cloromax technology. If there's a big box store open, you might have better luck finding pool chlorine which is stronger and won't have any fancy unwanted additives.

Hubby back from Publix with bleach and washing soda. Which should I add first?

 

[mknauss]

both

How did the pH and TA get so low?

 

[Poolnerdgrandma]

both

How did the pH and TA get so low?

My guess - pool builder guy added too much acid. And - maybe - started depending on the SWCG too soon. Or the SWCG isn't working. Or was set too low.
We have pool school from him next week, then we'll be the only people doing anything to our pool and things will be easier to control. Bleach and soda added. Pump is running. How long should I wait before testing the water again?

 

[mknauss]

Thanks -- Be careful with the soda ash aka washing soda -- it really jumps the TA.

 

[Poolnerdgrandma]

Pool seems much happier today..
FC 6
CC .2
PH 7.2
TA 40
CH 290

We'll see how the chlorine behaves with a hot sunny day and the chlorinator running.

Thanks for the help! We had a great pool party yesterday. No one's skin burned off or anything