Help! Just plastered mini pebble. Start up procedures tips and chemistry tips much appreciated!

[chemillion]

I just pebble plastered my new spa & pool 20,000 gal. Started filling 5/21 filled 5/22. Day 2 full of water and just got my DE for the Quad DE filter!
Current chemistry
pH: over 7.8
Total hardness: 239 mg/ml CaCO3 (how do I adjust this down to the 150 ppm minimum?)
Cl2: 0
Total alkalinity: 120ppm

Should I be adding the acid or is this normal for pH this high for new pebble start up?

how do I test for metals?

water clarity looks crystal
Clear so far.

plaster installer added jacks magic magenta. Pool store recommended Leslies Stain & Scale Prevent. Thoughts on these?? Should these be added to my new pebble plaster?


when is it safe for kids to start swimming? Lol

@JoyfulNoise @chem geek

 

[ajw22]

Find the most appropriate startup guide and follow it…

Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Your water is fine to swim in now.

 

[chemillion]

Find the most appropriate startup guide and follow it…

Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Your water is fine to swim in now.

Thank you @ajw22 !

3rd day im supposed to add Chlorine to the pebble plaster pool.
is it recommended to use liquid bleach? Pool shock or pre-dissolved chlorine?

Clorox Shock xtraBLUE ok?
(directions says dont pre-dissolve though, although I read in the National Plaster Association guideline to use pre-dissolved)

@JoyfulNoise @chem geek

 

[chemillion]

Total Hardness yesterday was 239 ppm. Start up guide suggests 150 mg/l min. I'm seeing on the TFP pool math app recommended 250-650, ideal: 350-550. Which is correct for new pebble plaster? Some one mentioned if the total hardness is too low, the curing plaster will leach from itself?

Do I add CaCl (calcium chloride) to raise? to what level?

 

[ajw22]

3rd day im supposed to add Chlorine to the pebble plaster pool.
is it recommended to use liquid bleach? Pool shock or pre-dissolved chlorine?

Use liquid chlorine.

Liquid Chlorine - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Clorox Shock xtraBLUE ok?
(directions says dont pre-dissolve though, although I read in the National Plaster Association guideline to use pre-dissolved)

NOOOOO!

Never use any pool chemical that says "blue". It is code words for copper. You never want to add copper to your pool.

Copper in Pool Water - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I recommend you stay away from ALL Clorox pool chemicals. Many of them contain copper or other unwanted additives. And stay away from Clorox bleach in your pool.

 

[ajw22]

Total Hardness yesterday was 239 ppm. Start up guide suggests 150 mg/l min. I'm seeing on the TFP pool math app recommended 250-650, ideal: 350-550. Which is correct for new pebble plaster? Some one mentioned if the total hardness is too low, the curing plaster will leach from itself?

Do I add CaCl (calcium chloride) to raise? to what level?

How are you testing? Where did you get 239 from?

239 or so CH is OK. Wait a bit before raising your CH. Your CH may rise as the plaster cures.

What is the CH of your fill water?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Total hardness and calcium hardness are NOT the same thing. Please report chemical levels using a recommended test kit. Pool store testing is unacceptable.

 

[chemillion]

How are you testing? Where did you get 239 from?

239 or so CH is OK. Wait a bit before raising your CH. Your CH may rise as the plaster cures.

What is the CH of your fill water?

I used a HACH Total Hardness test kit to measure.

 

[chemillion]

Total hardness and calcium hardness are NOT the same thing. Please report chemical levels using a recommended test kit. Pool store testing is unacceptable.

I see. I used lab grade HACH total hardness testing. Which test kit specifically targets Calcium Hardness?

 

[Timujin]

TF-100 will get you everything you need in a package.

 

[MyAZPool]

@chemillion
If I were just starting out, were in need of a good quality pool test kit and had a SWG like you do, then this would definitely be my number one go to.

TF-Pro *Salt with Smart Stir-for pools with SWG​

Note: You must order through "Details" to get the discounted pricing.
r.

https://www.youtube.com/user/tf100testkit/