First opening, can’t get FC to raise

[mchoch]

Struggling with pool startup. I opened to 0 FC yesterday. Added LC to get up to SLAM levels per pool math calculator (2.5 gallons 12%). Pool was pretty clear but had some gunk and worms that I vacuumed to skimmer.

FC didn’t come up after initial add, very faint pink at the start of the test- maybe 1.0 ppm but the color would go away and come back after a few seconds. I tested for CC and it was 2.5 PPM - started the color I’m used to seeing FC.

I let it pump over night and had these readings this morning (TF-100).

FC 0.5-1 (faint, comes back after a couple of seconds- added photo)
CC 2.5
PH 7.2
TA 140
CYA below 30, close
CH 175
Water Temp 55 F

I also had some potential algae this morning that I vacuumed to waste and brushed and backwashed. I was a little surprised with my water temp in the 50s.

I’ve added another 5 gallons of 12.5% LC a gallon at a time today and retested. My FC is staying at the low range and CC keeps climbing- last test I had it at 5.5 PPM.

The water isn’t cloudy but I do keep getting settling on the bottom. Is this algae?

I’m running out of ideas and chlorine! Continuing to add chlorine seems like the definition of insanity at this point.

I’ve found some other posts where CC gets high and seems like phosphorus could be the culprit so I ordered a test kit.

 

[PoolStored]

Ammonia.
Not phosphorous/phosphates.
Follow the Ammonia process, then SLAM for the algae:

Ammonia - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[mchoch]

Ah yikes! I did add some CYA which seems like the exact wrong thing to do.

My CC is testing at 5.5, still near 0 FC. From the ammonia, I should test and keep adding chlorine. Any recommendations on CYA other than don’t add more until I start seeing some FC?

 

[PoolStored]

Don't add more CYA until you show 5+ ppm, 30 minutes AFTER a 10ppm addition.

There is a bacteria that eats CYA and creates ammonia. It happens. The chlorine cleans it up.

 

[mchoch]

Running a mini test in a 5 gallon bucket. Calculated adding 1 mL 12.5% LC in the bucket is about 1.25 gallons of LC in the pool.

Started at 5 mL and my FC (in the bucket) shot up above 10 ppm and held high for 10 min.

Backed it off to 1 mL and FC up to 3 ppm. Leaving that bucket overnight.

Added 2 ga LC to the pool. Fingers crossed I’m right at the edge of getting things under control.

 

[PoolStored]

I don't understand what you are trying to do.
2 gallons of 10% LC will add 8ppm of FC.
2.5 gallons of 10% LC will add 10ppm of FC.
Just keep add 10ppm until the FC holds, somewhere above 5ppm after 30 minutes.
Then switch to the SLAM process. Link-->SLAM Process