First time owner - Need help balancing water

[BlueWRXPride]

Took some new measurements tonight:
FC: 7.5
PH: 7.2
TA: 90
CYA: 35

Add more CYA?

 

[Texas Splash]

We would typically call that CYA 40 then (round up). Does your pool get a lot of direct sun and heat there? If so, you can take it up to 50, or just wait a another month or so. Your call really. Just be sure to keep the FC matched to the CYA you chose per the FC/CYA Levels. Looking good right now.

 

[BlueWRXPride]

Yes, the pool gets direct sun nearly the entire day. If I want to match the CYA chart, since my pool is salt, shouldn't I take the CYA up to at least 70? What's your rationale for waiting a month? Just as a reminder, I'm away next week so I want to make sure things will be ok when I return.

 

[Texas Splash]

I missed the SWG in your sig. But yes, salt pools we generally recommend a CYA of 70 once the water temp is high enough to operate. That's the other variable I was thinking of since several other pools in the region are still chilly. But if you can get the SWG going before your trip - go for it. CYA of 70 it is.

 

[BlueWRXPride]

SWG seems to be doing ok now. Water temp is up to the low 70s, and the SWG has been around the 50% mark. I'll add more CYA tomorrow.

 

[BlueWRXPride]

I added more CYA and I'll test it tonight. But I see that adding all this CYA also will lower the PH by 0.5 which would bring me to around 6.7. Might I need to also get some Borax to bump the PH back up before I leave?

 

[mknauss]

Might I need to also get some Borax to bump the PH back up before I leave?

Unlikely. With a TA of 90, the pH will rise on its own. And the CYA does not lower pH all that much.

 

[BlueWRXPride]

Ok, thanks for all your support!

 

[BlueWRXPride]

Well I'm back from vacation. Took some measurements today and here's where I stand:

FC: 8.5
CC: 0
PH: 7.5
TA: 110
CYA: 70

Seems like I should just turn down my SWG a bit to let the FC naturally reduce, and then maybe add some muriatic acid to lower PH to 7 and then aerate to bring the PH back up?

 

[mknauss]

I would not change a thing. The FC is fine, the pH is perfect. Leave it be. Test every other day or so (pH and FC) and maintain.

 

[BlueWRXPride]

According to the FC/CYA chart, my FC is much higher than it should be. Shouldn't I try to get it closer to the ideal level?

And then I mentioned messing with the ph, it was with the goal of getting the TA lower, I know the ph itself is in a good place right now.

 

[Texas Splash]

According to the FC/CYA chart, my FC is much higher than it should be. Shouldn't I try to get it closer to the ideal level?

No need to rush it. The FC should start to fall on its own, especially as the summer approaches. After a few days if you are still concerned the SWG is putting-out more FC than you need, you can always adjust the output or pump run time accordingly.

 

[clambert1273]

A 50% starting point should be sufficient. Occasionally an owner will say they are struggling with getting stabilizer to dissolve. Not sure is it's a brand thing or what. I use a regular tube sock, let it soak for about 30 minutes, and it squeezes out like a cloud from the sock in a few minutes. Marty gives some ideas above you can try. Or you can try soaking that sock in a bucket of warm water and squeeze after about 30 minutes in that bucket to see if it will pre-dissolve better for you.

I use knee high panty hose type things, fill em up, tie em off and hang them my husband calls them the pool balls socks

 

[BlueWRXPride]

I hadn't measured the water in a few days so I took a full set of readings:

FC: 5.5
CC: 0
pH: 7.5
TA: 90
CH: 150
CYA: 50

Still letting the FC start to go down with a lower SWG setting so I think that's fine. TA is starting to drop so that's probably fine too. CH seems low, but I've read I don't need to worry about that much since my pool in vinyl, so should I care? And lastly it seems my CYA has gone down. It has rained some this past week, but not that much. Is it likely it has actually gone down and I should add stabilizer? Or is it just testing inaccuracies since that test is somewhat subjective?

 

[mknauss]

If you have not drained water, the CYA has not changed that much.

Keep your FC up at target for CYA of 70.

 

[clambert1273]

I hadn't measured the water in a few days so I took a full set of readings:

FC: 5.5
CC: 0
pH: 7.5
TA: 90
CH: 150
CYA: 50

Still letting the FC start to go down with a lower SWG setting so I think that's fine. TA is starting to drop so that's probably fine too. CH seems low, but I've read I don't need to worry about that much since my pool in vinyl, so should I care? And lastly it seems my CYA has gone down. It has rained some this past week, but not that much. Is it likely it has actually gone down and I should add stabilizer? Or is it just testing inaccuracies since that test is somewhat subjective?

I think that depends on how you do the test, I don't find it really subjective