Getting all my levels together

[tgrantjr]

Ok first off I have an intex pro frame pool 14x42. It has a capacity of 4k gallons. I am also using an intex SWG. I am trying to get all my levels in check and using the pool math calculator which is amazing. I am unfortunately using strips i got from pool city to get started until my good kit gets here. I did a test this morning due to the SWG saying low salt again and before i add i looked at the plates. Crusted with calcium again. I took it out and it is soaking in vinegar to clean off yet again. While that is happening I dipped in my test strip. I am using aquacheck strips with the 4 squares on it. I am learning the lingo here so bear with me. This is what shows up. My PH is over 8.4 so i need to add some acid to get that in check before I can get a real grasp on the others. The FC is at about .5 which is bad due to the buildup on the plates I guess. the alcalinity looks to be around 120-180 so i need to figure out that one. The stabilizer is off the charts at 300+.

the odd thing is all I ever did was fill the pool and put in salt. We have very hard water in my town so i blame that.

What steps does anyone reccomend to get the process started to get this water to a good balance? I am new and i never did this kind of work with my old easy set pool.

thanks in advance

 

[dcloer]

I'm pretty sure everyone here will tell you to wait until your kit arrives. The strips are really useless. Assuming your PH is really that high, you are correct in saying you need to get that down first. I would then start the SLAM process based on your non-existence of Free Chlorine. Again, that is assuming we can trust the strips....hint, we can't. If you ordered your kit yesterday, I would think it should be there at least by tomorrow. Then you can give us the run-down on the numbers.

PH
FC
CC
TA
CYA

You will then have a clear, concise path on how to move forward.

 

[domct203]

I'm pretty sure everyone here will tell you to wait until your kit arrives. The strips are really useless. Assuming your PH is really that high, you are correct in saying you need to get that down first. I would then start the SLAM process based on your non-existence of Free Chlorine. Again, that is assuming we can trust the strips....hint, we can't. If you ordered your kit yesterday, I would think it should be there at least by tomorrow. Then you can give us the run-down on the numbers.

PH
FC
CC
TA
CYA

You will then have a clear, concise path on how to move forward.

Be sure to add CH to that testing, as the scaling you see is most likely due to a high CH level and high positive CSI value. While a low CH level is not a concern in a vinyl pool, high CH is troublesome for all pools.

 

[Texas Splash]

I agree.... it all starts with the right test kit. There's just no substitute. From this point forward, you will be guessing and adding chemicals either in the improper amounts, or stuff that's not even needed. We don't like to see owners waste time and money. Test strips are notoriously inaccurate. It does seem evident that you have a scale issue. The FC has nothing to do with the plate issue. Hard water (elevated CH) is understandable in many areas, so we control pH to keep the scale from forming. Use muriatic acid to keep that pH in the mid-7s, and definitely increase FC with regular bleach. Just remember that how much bleach (FC - free chlorine) is required is 100% dependent upon an accurate CYA (see the Chlorine/CTA Chart link below). FC and CYA go together. At this time, we really don't know your true CYA, so establishing a correct FC level is virtually impossible. If you have any chlorine tabs/pucks in the water, take them out now. Only use regular bleach to increase your free chlorine level.

The sooner you obtain/receive a TF-100 (link below) or Taylor K-2006C, the better-off you'll be for sure. Also, take some times to review/bookmark the vital links below in my signature. They'll come in handy. Hope that helps.

 

[tgrantjr]

Thanks for all the responses. I love the help i get from this forum. I will get a gallon of muriatic acid from lowes and a few bottles of bleach. I will add half of what the pool math tells me to for now and see if i can get a head start on it until my kit gets here. Maybe from that I can get things rolling. I just dont know if the water is swimmable. I dont want to risk putting my 3 year old in and her get sick. My water is crystal clear except for a little sand on the bottom from my base.

 

[Texas Splash]

I dont want to risk putting my 3 year old in and her get sick.

Clear water is good, but since we really don't know your CYA and FC, that would be my concern. If the CYA is actually too low, the bleach could be more harsh. If the CYA is too high with not enough bleach, sanitation could be a concern. Hopefully you'll see the kit arrive shortly so we can help more accurately.

 

[tgrantjr]

Ok. Thanks