Just opened first pool tests done, now what?

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easy-e

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2018
137
Monmouth County, NJ
Pool Size
25000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hi all,

I have wanted a pool for as long as I can remember. At long last, we closed on a house with a masonry pool at the end of last year. Just for some background, its an oblong plaster pool, I did some rough measurements its around 21000 gallons. Manually chlorinated. I know very little about what the prior owner did.

We had the pool opened today and I have a company coming to an initially cleaning (couldn't do it same day...). I can report that the pool is dirty, cold and not green. Pump is running, heater operational. However, some DE was appearing at return when they went to top it off, so I will be taking the filter apart this weekend.

I have my TF-100 test so I ran some initial tests.

PH - 7.8
CL - less than 0.51 ppm
CH - 225ppm
TA - 60
CYA - 20

So, aside from the PH, everyone looks way low, which I have to assume isn't suprising since we just opened it up.

As for supplies, I went to Lowes and bought a bunch of Clorox stuff - Ph UP, Ph Down, Calcium Hardness Increaser, etc. I am learning that apparently aside from bleach, Clorox is not the way to go? It was all Lowes had but I can always return it and go elsewhere. I also picked up a few 128oz jugs of 10% liquid chlorine. I also bought some pool noodles and a ducky thermometer, but I don't think they factor in - those are more for my daughter.

The previous owner also left a tub of chlorine tablets (have to get specifics later) from Leslie Pools. The pool company that came (local) seemed wary about using them, and the Pool School articles led me to believe the tablets are more trouble than they are worth.

So I guess my question is what is the first step? PoolMath app recommended adding 81oz of liquid chlorine? Do I start with that, or do I need to get the CYA levels right so that chlorine isn't going to vanish like a fart in the wind? Or wait until they clean all the organic gunk out?

Thanks!
 
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Hellooooo Easy-e :handwave: Glad to have you join us.

The only Clorox brand product I'll use is the CYA (Stabilizer). Everything else can be purchased cheaper and some you may never need. Avoid Clorox bleach in the pool because they've added a mess of chemicals we don't want in pools. If you are going to buy bleach go for the most basic- no fancy technology additives, no scent, no thickeners.....
Liquid Chlorine is just bleach that is stronger and plain. Walmart sells Pool Essentials brand also, as well as Lowes and HD.

Pucks- too many can leave the pool with too much stabilizer in it. That's bad. Clorox Xtrablue pucks also contain copper. You do NOT want copper in your pretty new pool. So check any puck for ingredients if the previous owner left some.
To use the pucks put them in a floater, if you don't have a plumbed in puck feeder. With your current CYA of 20 you could add or use up to 24 ounces of pucks and that would bring your CYA up by 10ppm...,. so 30ppm of CYA is a good starting point.

Do you have a Salt Water Chlorine System??

Add the Liquid Chlorine daily and test. Based on your tests and PoolMath will guide you in how much to add daily. It will get to be 2nd nature soon enough where you can just look at the pool and know it needs some.

Recommended Levels

Maddie 🇺🇦
 
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YippeeSkippy said:
Hellooooo Easy-e :handwave: Glad to have you join us.

The only Clorox brand product I'll use is the CYA (Stabilizer). Everything else can be purchased cheaper and some you may never need. Avoid Clorox bleach in the pool because they've added a mess of chemicals we don't want in pools. If you are going to buy bleach go for the most basic- no fancy technology additives, no scent, no thickeners.....
Liquid Chlorine is just bleach that is stronger and plain. Walmart sells Pool Essentials brand also, as well as Lowes and HD.

Pucks- too many can leave the pool with too much stabilizer in it. That's bad. Clorox Xtrablue pucks also contain copper. You do NOT want copper in your pretty new pool. So check any puck for ingredients if the previous owner left some.
To use the pucks put them in a floater, if you don't have a plumbed in puck feeder. With your current CYA of 20 you could add or use up to 24 ounces of pucks and that would bring your CYA up by 10ppm...,. so 30ppm of CYA is a good starting point.

Do you have a Salt Water Chlorine System??

Add the Liquid Chlorine daily and test. Based on your tests and PoolMath will guide you in how much to add daily. It will get to be 2nd nature soon enough where you can just look at the pool and know it needs some.

Recommended Levels

Maddie 🇺🇦
Click to expand...

Thanks! Thrilled to be here.

To be clear, I wasn't planning to use the pucks because of the extra stuff - did not realize copper was a possibility though. I'm guessing the best choice is to add chlorine and manage CYA directly vs trying to use the pucks and hoping it works out?

And yes the Clorox Stabilizer is among the products I bought.

I do have the Pool Essentials brand liquid chlorine. Going to get some in now.

And no SWG - but I'm pretty much convinced to go that route, not likely for this season though.
 
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MITBeta said:
Add liquid chlorine now. Use the FC/CYA Levels to figure out your target and PoolMath to figure out how much chlorine to add to reach target.

Run an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to make sure nothing's brewing in the water.
Click to expand...

I added the recommended amount of liquid chlorine based on Pool Math.

About 40 minutes later I did the DPD test, 0.5 each of FC and CC.

I'll be up at crack of dawn tomorrow to test again but appreciate any input, like, should I get more chlorine in there now.

I should mention - the pool is pretty filthy. Lots of organic material at the bottom. We have a safety cover but it's been closed for 6 months but some junk has made it's way in. Are my numbers going to be screwy until I get it all cleaned out?
 

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easy-e said:
On it.

They're coming to clean the bottom on monday. Am I better off just going tomorrow getting what I need to clean it myself...
Click to expand...
The more junk you can clean out the less work the chlorine has to do. Add chlorine unless you plan on draining lots of water.
 
Okay. I don't own a vacuum so my only option this moment would be skimming it out and kicking up all the junk. I figured that's not ideal.

I added the recommended stabilizer to get up to appropriate CYA level (two socks, suspended in front of returns - pump on full time).

Added more liquid chlorine. Will go get more tomorrow.

Current pool phot also attached to get an idea the level of material I'm talking about. I've seen worse buts theirs plenty of Darn down there. The camera make it look very green - it does not look like that IRL
 

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With that FC test result, after 40 minutes, you will need to SLAM Process the pool.

My best advice:
If you can do it, is to get a bunch of LC or Bleach (no fragrance, no splashless, no blue no nothing on the label but bleach). I have a 30K gallon pool and I used close to 40 gallons in my SLAM, granted, my pool looked worse. I would get at least 20 gallons to start, you can take anything back or use it going forward.

Check and add enough LC to get back to slam levels EVERY 2 Hours, Check, add, 2 hours, check add, 2 hours, etc. Brush, brush, brush. If you can do every 2 hours, your slam time will be much shorter. Get as many of the leaves out that you can with skim pole if you have one.

You don't say what type of filter you have. Can you fill out your signature, like mine below, so we know what you have?

If you have a sand filter, keep your filter running. Backwash to start and note your pressure. When the pressure rises 25%, then backwash. If you have another type of filter, this won't work.
 
PoolStored said:
With that FC test result, after 40 minutes, you will need to SLAM Process the pool.

My best advice:
If you can do it, is to get a bunch of LC or Bleach (no fragrance, no splashless, no blue no nothing on the label but bleach). I have a 30K gallon pool and I used close to 40 gallons in my SLAM, granted, my pool looked worse. I would get at least 20 gallons to start, you can take anything back or use it going forward.

Check and add enough LC to get back to slam levels EVERY 2 Hours, Check, add, 2 hours, check add, 2 hours, etc. Brush, brush, brush. If you can do every 2 hours, your slam time will be much shorter. Get as many of the leaves out that you can with skim pole if you have one.

You don't say what type of filter you have. Can you fill out your signature, like mine below, so we know what you have?

If you have a sand filter, keep your filter running. Backwash to start and note your pressure. When the pressure rises 25%, then backwash. If you have another type of filter, this won't work.
Click to expand...

I updated my profile info, I think it should all show up now. I have FNS60 DE filter. There is some kind of issue where DE is getting past the filter and appearing at return when added at skimmer. Need to open the whole thing up but pump running 24/7 right now.

I added the 2 gallons of liquid chlorine I had on hand. Only other product I could add right now would be the Leslie Pools 3" jumbo tabs the prior owner left, but I'm already bringing up the CYA with stabilizer so not sure that's the way to go.
 
easy-e said:
I updated my profile info, I think it should all show up now. I have FNS60 DE filter. There is some kind of issue where DE is getting past the filter and appearing at return when added at skimmer. Need to open the whole thing up but pump running 24/7 right now.

I added the 2 gallons of liquid chlorine I had on hand. Only other product I could add right now would be the Leslie Pools 3" jumbo tabs the prior owner left, but I'm already bringing up the CYA with stabilizer so not sure that's the way to go.
Click to expand...
I can't help you with a SLAM and a DE Filter. Likely others will weigh in...

Don't add the tabs into the equation...Use the LC you have, too many moving parts at this point.

Let the CYA increase with your addition. It will take 24-48 hours for the CYA to mix. If you can, get the LC/Bleach and start the SLAM Process. There is a fair amount of organics in the pool, so SLAMing will counteract/solve. Having the pool cleaned on Monday will help significantly.

You need to find a way, other than filtering to remove all that detritus. I know you don't have a vacuum, but maybe you can find a robot locally, or through a local pool dealer. You can find dealer for Maytronics here: Maytronics dealer locator. I don't have a dog in the hunt on brand of pool cleaner, I had a Maytronics DX3 that served me well, just bought an S200, today in fact! (the DX3 died). Another source that many here have used and recommend is Marina Pool & Spa. (Home - Marina Pool Spa & Patio).

For whatever reason, your profile did not update with your equipment.
 
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Work on getting the big organic debris out of the water. Use a net to get the big stuff off the bottom and out of the pool ASAP. Yes, keep your chlorine levels up and hold off on adding any more CYA now. A robot would be a great tool to clean your pool of the dirt and small debris and not load up your DE filter. Once you have it clean do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. Do get your filter inspected and cleaned and ready for a SLAM Process. Nice pool, you will have a great summer at home. :cheers:
 
Thanks for all the responses. DPD test this afternoon was about the same as the AM test. Dumped another gallon of chlorine in. CYA is still gradually being added from the socks. Working on getting as much material out as I can - was under impression I don't want to stir it all up but guess not?
 
easy-e said:
Thanks for all the responses. DPD test this afternoon was about the same as the AM test. Dumped another gallon of chlorine in. CYA is still gradually being added from the socks. Working on getting as much material out as I can - was under impression I don't want to stir it all up but guess not?
Click to expand...
You need way more chlorine in the water (you should be keeping it at 10ppm) minimum for a SLAM and do whatever you can to get junk out. Stirring junk up is fine as that means it might get into a skimmer or drain and be filtered. Check your CYA and don’t let it get above 30-40ppm or it’ll take even more chlorine to clean the water.
 
Bperry said:
You need way more chlorine in the water (you should be keeping it at 10ppm) minimum for a SLAM and do whatever you can to get junk out. Stirring junk up is fine as that means it might get into a skimmer or drain and be filtered. Check your CYA and don’t let it get above 30-40ppm or it’ll take even more chlorine to clean the water.
Click to expand...

Okay thanks. Will check chlorine levels now and use pool math to get to 10ppm. I followed pool math instructions to get within the lower end of the range for CYA. My wife (so I say) misplaced the CYA test tube. Does the fact I have no CC and all FC indicate CYA is good right now?

I'm curious - am I following SLAM procedure because of the near absence of chlorine on initial test or is this just good practice for opening? Or, do the two just go hand in hand?
 

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