Introduction and New Pool Startup

[treyrich]

Hello! This is my first post of any significance, but I have been reading and trying to absorb as much knowledge as I possibly can in preparation for the pool that we've been building for the last 8 months. I've tried to follow as much of the advise as I could glean from TFP throughout the construction process, hopefully I haven't made any major mistakes. I've read 100% of the pool school content and very nearly 100% of the wiki content as well as countless forum threads over the last 8 months, but admittedly have probably only absorbed 75% of what I've read, I figure and hope that the remaining 25% will come from some hands-on experience.

I am a software engineer by trade, and have been very interested in home automation for years, I'm extremely comfortable with all things electrical/computer/automation, and much less comfortable with chemistry/plumbing (I know it's basically the same as electrical, but I just really dislike plumbing work haha).

So...enough about me. Let's talk pool. This is my first pool, though growing up I had lots of pools. We've been delayed countless weeks this winter due to the record rains that we've been experiencing in CA (I'm in South Orange County FYI), but it's finally time! Looks like we'll be getting plaster done on Monday assuming no more unexpected delays pop up. We've passed our pre-plaster safety inspection, so I think we're all set.

My pool builder, CA Pools (who is very reputable, but the owner is also a buddy of mine from outside this project), is bringing in their 'pool guy' for the first month for the startup stuff, and my contractual obligation is to brush the pool twice a day (which seems in line with TFP advise). My question at this point is more about the 'pool guy' than anything, my PB says that he's the "Pentair Warranty Servicer" for this area and that I should have a high-level of confidence in him. Overall, I trust my PB, just about every piece of advise that they've offered thus far has checked out with what I've read on TFP, but I also don't want this startup technician guy to screw up the water chemistry in some way before I even get a chance to take over. Is there any advice or things that you all would recommend on how I can avoid issues without feeling like I'm breathing down this guys neck for the next month?

I will also be extremely grateful for any help/advise/scolding that I can get as I get myself comfortable with the TFP process.

I'll attach a few photos here for those interested in what we're dealing with.

 

[mknauss]

Is there any advice or things that you all would recommend on how I can avoid issues without feeling like I'm breathing down this guys neck for the next month?

Test the pH daily. If it gets out of control, add acid. Also test the FC often.
Insist they leave a note or text you what they add. The amounts.

Likely they will use trichlor tablets in the skimmer. If the pump runs 24/7, that is ok. If the pump is not running all the time, get a floating dispenser.

 

[treyrich]

Test the pH daily. If it gets out of control, add acid. Also test the FC often.
Insist they leave a note or text you what they add. The amounts.

Awesome, this seems easy enough.

Likely they will use trichlor tablets in the skimmer. If the pump runs 24/7, that is ok.

So the feeling that I have got is that trichlor tablets are to be avoided, is that correct? Is this ok during the start up process because it's unlikely that the CYA will get out of control in as short a time as a month?

 

[mknauss]

So the feeling that I have got is that trichlor tablets are to be avoided, is that correct? Is this ok during the start up process because it's unlikely that the CYA will get out of control in as short a time as a month?

The use of trichlor is not a sustainable method to add chlorine. The short term use, or occasional use, is fine, as long as you understand the effect on the pool water chemistry. The Pool Service will use them because they will only come once a week. So to add some chlorine and acid between those visits they will use trichlor. You want to record how many of them they use. Be sure they do not add Cyanuric Acid without first accurately measuring the existing level in the water.

 

[an1vrsy]

Welcome to TFP! I moved to Las Vegas at the end of 2019 after living in Rancho Santa Margarita for 20 years. I discovered TFP after a complete drain for our pool in RSM for bead blasting the scale off because I didn't manage my pool water chemistry back then. When that work was done and the bead blasting tech said start up was not included, that is when I started researching pool care and found TFP. Just like you.

Well, the first thing is to get one of the recommended test kits. Either the TF-100 or TFPro from tftestkits.net (I see from your signature you have an IC-60 SWG) or the Taylor K-2006C from online (Amazon). Testing your own water will be the best thing you can do. The contracted pool guy will only come once a week and spend at tops 30 minutes (I am being kind). TFP'ers can take care of the pool way better than a weekly pool service, if you're physically able to.

Pull up a chair, and make sure you come back and post pictures after the pool has been filled.

 

[Newdude]

Belated Welcome Trey !!!!

There's no learning like doing, and you'll catch on quick. Fire off any questions that arise and we got you.

If you get the tf-pro-salt from tftestkits.net, the salt part of the kit is $10 cheaper than if you order it separately for the other kits. Plus it comes with a $45 stirring device that is super helpful.

Pucks aren't great for startup because they are slow dissolving. So you'll go a few days with low CYA, and struggle to keep FC longer than an hour. Once you have most of your target CYA in there, creeping up the rest of the way is fine.

I will also be extremely grateful for any help/advise/scolding

I will advise you that this place is chocked FULL of advice if you need. Ask anytime.

 

[ajw22]

I also don't want this startup technician guy to screw up the water chemistry in some way before I even get a chance to take over. Is there any advice or things that you all would recommend on how I can avoid issues without feeling like I'm breathing down this guys neck for the next month?

Have a chat with the startup tech when he arrives and determine if he is following a start-up guide.

Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

As recommended above get your own test kit.

Then ask the startup tech to leave you a note with any water test results he did and any chemicals added.

Then you can follow along and do your own water tests and track the water chemistry from Day1.

When you get your test kit run a test on what will be your pool fill water for FC, pH, TA, and CH. That will tell you what your starting point will be and give you some practice with the test kit.

If the startup guy follows a startup guide and does not free lance you should be in good shape.

 

[treyrich]

Awesome! Thanks for the warm welcome!

Yes, I received my tf-pro-salt a couple weeks ago (before we got delayed the last time).

Sounds like the overall guidance is to ensure the startup tech informs me of anything that he adds and of his test results.

Then simultaneously I should be testing daily on my own and adjusting PH levels regardless of what he’s doing?

Sounds like it’s a good idea to test my fill water as well? I’m not totally clear what I’m trying to achieve by testing the fill water though?

 

[ajw22]

Then simultaneously I should be testing daily on my own and adjusting PH levels regardless of what he’s doing?

You should do your own testing and follow along what your water chemistry is.

You should let the tech know if you are making your own chemistry adjustments. Otherwise it can be confusing to him wondering why the chemistry is not what he expects.

Sounds like it’s a good idea to test my fill water as well? I’m not totally clear what I’m trying to achieve by testing the fill water though?

Knowing is your fill water pH is high or low, or the TA is high, or you have high CH fill water gives you an idea of which way you will need to be adjusting the pool chemistry.

 

[treyrich]

Well, today WAS going to be surface/fill day, the whole surface crew was here and prepping, but apparently there's too much water weeping through the structure from all of the rains that we've been having, so they have to patch it with some water proofing cement but they say they have to wait a couple of days for that to setup so they can know if it was successful at stopping the water from weeping in. So the whole crew just pulled off and 'may' come back Monday. Is this something that others have experienced? Is there any concern for long-term issue due to this water seeping in?

 

[treyrich]

I finally tested my fill water today. Here are the numbers that I got:
PH: 8.2
FC: 0.5ppm
CH: 225ppm
TA: 110

To be honest I have no idea if I did everything correctly, so if those numbers seem off let me know. This being my first test, I was a bit shaky on how to tell what exactly I was looking at with the test where comparing colors (PH & CI). Am I wrong in assuming that the CI test and the FC drop test are testing the same thing? Is there anything to worry about here? The PH seems high, but I tried the test twice and both seemed about the same color (though the two tests on the yellow side were wildly different haha.

 

[mknauss]

Standard Colorado River water. You will need to continually add acid to reduce the TA added by your fill water. Using softened water to make up for evaporation losses would be wise to control CH rise.

 

[treyrich]

Standard Colorado River water. You will need to continually add acid to reduce the TA added by your fill water. Using softened water to make up for evaporation losses would be wise to control CH rise.

Unfortunately at the moment I don’t have a softener, however, I will have an automatic safety cover, so hopefully most of my water loss will be kids splashing not evaporation, which shouldn’t result in rising CH if I understand things properly?

 

[treyrich]

Today is the day!

 

[an1vrsy]

Congratulations on the day! How exciting.

 

[treyrich]

Alright, 2 hoses and 26 hours later the pool is filled. PB’s startup tech is coming tomorrow to get everything going.

I saw on here that many people suggest photographing the water meter to attempt to get an accurate volume of the pool. I instead bought a couple of these to put on the hoses so that I didn’t have to worry about other water usage within the house (https://a.co/d/cw4TRLw). They seemed to work great! And I got an extremely accurate volume (22,016 gallons), obviously it’s fairly difficult to determine whether the devices themselves are accurate, but I felt like it was probably better than guessing off the house’s water meter?

 

[bmoreswim]

The pool looks fantastic!! I will be honest on one thing though. Your pointed spa corner makes me nervous regarding retracting the autocover and the potential for it to dig/wear into that line of the cover. Or if you walk on it, which I occasionally do for various reasons, there could be undo stress applied to that one small point. I would loved to have seen something of a rounded corner there although I understand it wouldn't have matched the aesthetic. Hopefully I'm wrong but it's something to keep in mind.

I would make it a rule to have the spa overflowing at max 100% of the time when you uncover the pool.

 

[treyrich]

The pool looks fantastic!! I will be honest on one thing though. Your pointed spa corner makes me nervous regarding retracting the autocover and the potential for it to dig/wear into that line of the cover. Or if you walk on it, which I occasionally do for various reasons, there could be undo stress applied to that one small point. I would loved to have seen something of a rounded corner there although I understand it wouldn't have matched the aesthetic. Hopefully I'm wrong but it's something to keep in mind.

I would make it a rule to have the spa overflowing at max 100% of the time when you uncover the pool.

That's a great point, and not something that I had considered at all all the way through the process until right this second when I read your comment...I will definitely make a point to have the spa overflowing when we open the cover. I'll also make a point to discuss that with the cover installers to see if they have any thoughts. I almost wonder if there's a way reinforce the cover along that line... Great insight though!

 

[bmoreswim]

There is another solution that I have heard of now that I think about it. It's more often used in cases where there is a deck mounted cover which has to drag over the deck on each side in addition to the pool surface. That is to have a blower that injects air under the cover to give it lift to ease the friction and make the pull easier. That may be overkill but it might be something to at least bring up.

 

[treyrich]

Alright, so the startup tech and I just finished talking and I wanted to get some fact-checking done. I mentioned that I wanted to (eventually after the startup period) run the pump for 24/7 at the minimum speed required by the SWG. He said that would be a problem because the filter would only be using the bottom part of the cartridges, he said that for the filter to be doing anything it really needs at least 10PSI (around 2400 RPM on the VSP)...I assume that this falls in the category of "ignore what he says and follow TFP", but I want to make sure that as I'm planning my schedules and things I have all the right information.