The kids love “science” re: the SpeedStir and watching the colors change. I’m cooler blind so they make all of the decisions thanks for the advice, I will be patient and “watch this” all day today.
First time pool owner, ?s about startup and chemicals
- Thread starter vdubin71
- Start date
The kids love “science” re: the SpeedStir and watching the colors change. I’m cooler blind so they make all of the decisions thanks for the advice, I will be patient and “watch this” all day today.
The fact the you think testing water is fun tells me you are going to be the perfect TFP-er. You will pretty quickly get to the point where your pool is pretty predictable and maintenance is a breeze. It really is that simple!
Testing is science class
Splashing and fun times is science lab
Retesting is viewing/plotting results back in class again.
jeez, Not that you mention it, We can go all out school.
Math : Oscar dove 12 times .... Jane 3 times
English : To cannonball or not to cannonball
*THAT* is the question
Gym : Swimming (self explanatory)
Home Ec: Go make snacks. Mmmmm snacks
Can the store exchange the pump for lesser horsepower? It may have been the only one they had in-stock, I know this has been a "demand-heavy" season... Definitely be sure to keep the pool full, you don't want too much air getting into the pump/filter system. I don't have cartridge filter experience, but here are the cleaning/maintenance instructions Maintenance and Cleaning of Pool Filters - Trouble Free Pool
Here are some helpful quick links ~ Pool Care Basics Archives - Trouble Free Pool ~ What Are My Ideal Pool Levels? - Trouble Free Pool
- Let the PH rise on it's own (splashing will raise PH)
- You may find you need to add a little more TA, to maintain a steady PH (vinyl does not hold up well with PH under 7 (it weakens it))
- and by little, only target small increases (I would go by 10's, but that is my personal thought), so you aren't chasing levels like a yo-yo (chasing is fun at first, until it isn't)
- Hence the suggestion from Duraleigh, earlier in this thread, to test often (daily). It helps you "learn YOUR pool", every pool is unique in it's overall use & needs, but the basics are the same!
- and by little, only target small increases (I would go by 10's, but that is my personal thought), so you aren't chasing levels like a yo-yo (chasing is fun at first, until it isn't)
- I would keep the return pointed at the floor, if you can redirect it, to help prevent the vortex. We love our "lazy river", but each pool family is unique!
Thanks for the motivation and advice everyone. Hey Newdude, I like you "school" examples
Today is the third day and here are my test results:
FC = 2.5
CC = .5
pH = 6.8
TA = 50
CYA = 30
So, CYA is where I want it per the guidance here. I will add LC to get FC up to 5.
For the pH, the kids splashed around in the pool all day but it went down from 7.2 yesterday. Should I still just leave it and let is rise on its own? I'm worried about the comment above about the liner not liking pH below 7.
If I should raise it, I have Sodium Charbonate (the pool store's "pH UP" product) which I found is the same as soda ash. Pool Math says to add 18oz to get pH to 7.2. Should I do that or just have the kids splash around again tomorrow? Sorry to be so hung up on the pH topic...
Thank you
Today is the third day and here are my test results:
FC = 2.5
CC = .5
pH = 6.8
TA = 50
CYA = 30
So, CYA is where I want it per the guidance here. I will add LC to get FC up to 5.
For the pH, the kids splashed around in the pool all day but it went down from 7.2 yesterday. Should I still just leave it and let is rise on its own? I'm worried about the comment above about the liner not liking pH below 7.
If I should raise it, I have Sodium Charbonate (the pool store's "pH UP" product) which I found is the same as soda ash. Pool Math says to add 18oz to get pH to 7.2. Should I do that or just have the kids splash around again tomorrow? Sorry to be so hung up on the pH topic...
Thank you
So being right on the fence you'll probably find the consensus split as to how to procede. The liner doesnt like the low PH but one night won't matter, all winter..... yeah. But you have the soda ash on hand and are gung-ho to adjust what needs adjusting so i say have fun. The added bonus is it will raise your TA a bit too, which was also on the lower side as discussed earlier.
Which takes a lesser amount, raising to 7.2 or raising from TA 50 to 60 with Soda ash? Either way, I would add half the dose
As shared above, it does take some time at low PH to cause damage, so it's good to know your pool's water tendencies!
Thanks everyone. Off the to science lab to measure up some soda ash and dissolve it in a bucket...
I hope all of the fathers out there have a great Father's Day tomorrow.
I hope all of the fathers out there have a great Father's Day tomorrow.
Hi,
First, a big thank you to everyone here. All of the advice has been spot on and testing and adding chemicals has been very straightforward and easy. The PoolMath app is great too, thanks to those who developed it.
I have been testing all items every day and these were the results of yesterdays test:
FC = 2.5
CC = .0
pH = 7.2
TA = 70
CYA = 30
CYA, TA and pH have been those same numbers for the last 5 days. For CYA and TA, can I call them "consistent" and start only testing them weekly instead of daily? Asking as I am a little more than half way through my R-0013 and want to know when I transition to one set of things tested weekly and a smaller set for daily testing.
For the daily testing, the TF-100 kit says to just use the CL and pH test but I thought I should also do the FC and CC test daily. What are you all doing?
Thanks
First, a big thank you to everyone here. All of the advice has been spot on and testing and adding chemicals has been very straightforward and easy. The PoolMath app is great too, thanks to those who developed it.
I have been testing all items every day and these were the results of yesterdays test:
FC = 2.5
CC = .0
pH = 7.2
TA = 70
CYA = 30
CYA, TA and pH have been those same numbers for the last 5 days. For CYA and TA, can I call them "consistent" and start only testing them weekly instead of daily? Asking as I am a little more than half way through my R-0013 and want to know when I transition to one set of things tested weekly and a smaller set for daily testing.
For the daily testing, the TF-100 kit says to just use the CL and pH test but I thought I should also do the FC and CC test daily. What are you all doing?
Thanks
- May 3, 2014
- 58,351
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Test CYA monthly. TA weekly or when you need to add acid, whichever comes first.
Once you know your pool, you can use the FAS-DPD every other or third day. Calibrate the OTO (yellow) TC test versus your FAS-DPD for a few times and then you can use that when needed.
Once you know your pool, you can use the FAS-DPD every other or third day. Calibrate the OTO (yellow) TC test versus your FAS-DPD for a few times and then you can use that when needed.
Thanks Marty.
CYA monthly and TA weekly, got it!
Did my first "Daily" round of testing today and got:
FC = 5
CC = .5
pH = 7.2
So nothing for me to add today, yay! ...probably because nobody went in the pool today. It was cloudy all day and rained for a couple hours with the solar cover on since last night. I just took the cover off to let the pool breathe a bit before putting it back on later for the night.
Thanks again.
CYA monthly and TA weekly, got it!
Did my first "Daily" round of testing today and got:
FC = 5
CC = .5
pH = 7.2
So nothing for me to add today, yay! ...probably because nobody went in the pool today. It was cloudy all day and rained for a couple hours with the solar cover on since last night. I just took the cover off to let the pool breathe a bit before putting it back on later for the night.
Thanks again.