First time pool owner - Just got TF-Pro - What to test first?

[richcarey]

Hey all!

First time pool owner. I used a pool company for the last 3 months. I feel like they weren't doing a good job and cost a fortune. They sent high school kids that didn't seem to know much about pools.

I have a chlorine pool. I'm not sure how many gallons, but used the app to calculate 24,000 gallons. 40x20 feet. 3 feet shallow end to 5 feet deeper end.

I just cancelled the contract for the pool maintenance. They checked it friday for the last time. TF-Pro test kit arrived tonight.

What tests should I do tomorrow? The pool consisently starts getting green algae (I think) growing 2 or 3 days after the cleaning.

There is always some sand in the area where the jets come out on each side of the pool.

I have a brush and net and pole, and my pool has two skimmers. I need some type of vacuum solution. maybe a robot?

Help me get started!

and when I get the results, post them here?

I guess I'll backwash also on friday.

Montgomery, AL - most days are 95 to 100 degrees.

 

[wireform]

Hi and welcome,
It may look overwhelming but once you get accustomed it's a no brainer. Just do all the tests on the instructions sheet and post here.
FC
CC
PH
CH
TA
SALINITY
CYA

 

[richcarey]

Hi and welcome,
It may look overwhelming but once you get accustomed it's a no brainer. Just do all the tests on the instructions sheet and post here.
FC
CC
PH
CH
TA
SALINITY
CYA

Thanks - do I do the salinity test for a chlorine pool? not a salt water pool.

 

[Whynotme]

Thanks - do I do the salinity test for a chlorine pool? not a salt water pool.

No, you won't need salinity test.

 

[wireform]

Not a salt (salt water cell generator) pool then you skip that one.

 

[richcarey]

Thanks - do I do the salinity test for a chlorine pool? not a salt water pool.

Hi and welcome,
It may look overwhelming but once you get accustomed it's a no brainer. Just do all the tests on the instructions sheet and post here.
FC
CC
PH
CH
TA
SALINITY
CYA

FC - 12

First pool test of my life! TF-Pro!

FC - 12
CC - 1
PH - 7.5
CH - 125
TA - 60
CYA - 60

What do I need to address?

There is sand collecting or growing fast on the bottom of the pool, first where the jets come out, but now elsewhere. It was last maintained by the pool company (now fired) friday, 5 days ago. Do I sweep that, need to vacuum it, is it a chemical issue?

I haven't bought a vacuum or cleaner yet, but want to. this pool has a polaris pump that needs to be replaced. I'd be fine with a robot of some kind. Let me know what I should buy. Should I get a simple pool vacuum that connects to the skimmer (I have two skimmers).

 

[wireform]

So you obviously need to slam and with a 60 CYA it'll have a slam level of 24 which means getting the FC up to 24 and maintaining it as much as possible. Since you don't have a means of vacuuming you can shut off the skimmers and keep the main drain wide open for the few minutes and push the debris towards the MD for it to get sucked in.

 

[richcarey]

So you obviously need to slam and with a 60 CYA it'll have a slam level of 24 which means getting the FC up to 24 and maintaining it as much as possible. Since you don't have a means of vacuuming you can shut off the skimmers and keep the main drain wide open for the few minutes and push the debris towards the MD for it to get sucked in.

My pool has been clear all time time. It's not cloudy or green. Is it possible what I"m seeing is pollen instead of yellow algae?

I don't want to slam if I don't need to. Those pics I took are just isolated spots. It's starting to spread, but it's only on the bottom. It's not on the side. I've heard that may mean it's just pollen. Should I just brush? or should I slam? where would I get chlorine. home depot? which ones to buy?

 

[wireform]

So the CC is 1 so at minimum you need to do a OCLT tonight before the pool runs away from you. To me the 1 means slam time but hey it's night time now so just do the OCLT and you'll see in the morning what's sort of happening.