First time opening pool myself, please help!

[robwert2020]

Hey all, I'm new to TFP and these forum and this is just my second season as a pool owner. Last year i feet like I was never getting the information i needed from the local pool store, so it was a relief to find this place!

Just opened the pool myself yesterday (used a company last year) and did my first tests with the TF-pro test kit and was hoping for some help.

A. My levels seem way out of whack, and before I start pouring chemicals in, was thinking someone might be able to provide some direction. That said, the water looks and smells good, so that's a plus.

B. I struggled with the rust staining pictured all year last year. I used some different products sold by the pool stores which provided a temporary solution, but it would just come right back. Has anyone had any expierence fighting that and have some reccomendations?

I'm sure there is a lot of information I'm leaving out, so I apologize in advance, but any direction or expertise would be really appreciated.

 

[robwert2020]

Realized I didn't have signature setup, so a little about the pool

15k gal, fiberglass, Hayward SWG, Hayward Superpump, Raypak Heater, Dolphin T45 robot, TF-Pro test kit, Coverstar Cover

 

[PoolStored]

Hey all, I'm new to TFP and these forum and this is just my second season as a pool owner. Last year i feet like I was never getting the information i needed from the local pool store, so it was a relief to find this place!

Welcome to TFP!!! Go Blue!!!

Welcome to #TeamPoolStored!!

Just opened the pool myself yesterday (used a company last year) and did my first tests with the TF-pro test kit and was hoping for some help.

Nice.

A. My levels seem way out of whack, and before I start pouring chemicals in, was thinking someone might be able to provide some direction. That said, the water looks and smells good, so that's a plus.

Your FC is high, did you add a chlorine product? Don't add more chlorine for the moment. Let it come back down below FC 10. Your pH test is invalid when FC >10. Let FC come down, then retest pH. TA and CH are fine for the moment. Your CYA is low for a SWCG pool, but it it ok to leave it be until you adjust pH. You might want to get some dry stabilizer and be ready to add it.

B. I struggled with the rust staining pictured all year last year. I used some different products sold by the pool stores which provided a temporary solution, but it would just come right back. Has anyone had any expierence fighting that and have some reccomendations?

Here is a good read for you:

Stains in Your Pool

The stained pool is beyond embarrassing. Our in-depth Guide to remove stains in your pool will help you to remove the stains and prevent them in the future.

www.troublefreepool.com

I'm sure there is a lot of information I'm leaving out, so I apologize in advance, but any direction or expertise would be really appreciated.

No worries...

 

[robwert2020]

Thank you so much, Go Blue!!

So, no, I didn't add any chemicals or chlorine, just turned on the system and have the SWG set to like 20%. Would you reccomend turning the dial all the way down for now?

As far as the FC, is it safe to swim in now, or would you reccomend staying out until it's lower? Additionally, would it makes sense to leave the cover open? Will the chlorine burn off faster if I do that?

Thanks again, I really appreciate the help!

 

[wireform]

How you have all those levels on opening day without having added anything? Let the sun hit the pool hard and swim. As soon as the FC is at 10 lower the PH after testing first. Slam level is 12 and you should be there today if you keep the SWCG off.

 

[robwert2020]

How you have all those levels on opening day without having added anything? Let the sun hit the pool hard and swim. As soon as the FC is at 10 lower the PH after testing first. Slam level is 12 and you should be there today if you keep the SWCG off.

...I have no idea what I'm doing, lol. But yea, very purposely didn't add anything until I asked you guys what to do.

Thanks for advice, opening cover now to get some sun and turning off SWG. Oh, also, I got that digital pH test pen from the same site that I got the TP-Pro from and it read the pH at 7.4, would that reading be wrong with the FC so high as well, or would that still read correctly regardless?

 

[robwert2020]

Ok, I opened the cover and turned off the SWG this morning. I just retested and FC is already down to 3.5 and CC is .25. pH is now at 7.5.

Should I turn the SWG back on? Should i retest everything else as well now?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[PoolStored]

Yes, turn your SWCG on. You need to maintain the right FC for your CYA...Link-->FC/CYA Levels

 

[wireform]

Let's see a full set of test levels as you have the tools to do it.

 

[robwert2020]

Ok, after a day of having the cover open, SWG off, and a little light swimming here are the new levels. Looks like most are more or less the same, with exception of chlorine and pH. I have the SWG back on now with a 20% output set.

Oh, another question, for the daily test blick the TP-pro has a left side which has Cl and Br, but the pool math app doesn't have a place to track those...should I be tracking that?

Any ideas how I should proceed?

Thanks again!

 

[PoolStored]

Oh, another question, for the daily test blick the TP-pro has a left side which has Cl and Br, but the pool math app doesn't have a place to track those...should I be tracking that?

Ignore it. Use the FAS-DPD for FC testing.

Any ideas how I should proceed?

You REALLY need to keep your FC up. You should stay at the top end of the recommended range for your CYA. You are in algae territory... Link-->FC/CYA Levels

 

[MITBeta]

You should run the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. I'm concerned that your FC level dropped awfully fast from 15 to 2.