My first tests…should I slam?

[UnderwaterDogg]

Hello there!
We just had a fiberglass pool (Latham Monaco 16 X 40, 21k gallons) installed late last fall. We are in WI. Last week the pool company came and “opened” our pool, basically just turning on our pump and doing whatever else they did. They ran a few tests I guess (don’t really remember their results). I tested today for the first time. Our water looks quite clear, just a bit of sediment on the bottom which our robot should be able to take care of. They weren’t able to give us pool school last week (their fault, not ours. Supposedly, this will happen next Thursday (May 4). Anyway—the water is quite cold so it seems the Salt Cell isn’t working yet. Here are my results.
FC-none! (This seems somewhat alarming)
pH 7.8
CC .5 (?)
CH 500ppm
CYA 0
TA 200
I assume the first thing I should do is get my chlorine level up…SLAM? Then work on reducing TA? Any other suggestions? Sorry absolute Newb here.
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU

 

[SJPoe]

FC and CYA of 0 is concerning. How are you testing ?

 

[UnderwaterDogg]

Used the TF Pro test kit.

 

[SJPoe]

At a minimum I'd be reaching for some chlorine to get myself up to a safe level. Did the pool company not put anything in the pool when they opened it ?

 

[UnderwaterDogg]

I am planning on adding some bleach either tonight or tomorrow. The communication with them is pretty atrocious…I actually don‘t know if they added anything! She told me we are in charge of chemicals.

 

[SJPoe]

She told me we are in charge of chemicals.

Nice !
Well, with 0 FC and no CYA, you're basically a pond right now. The ducks just haven't moved in yet
I'd drop at least a gallon of chlorine in ASAP. I'm not up to speed on the SWG setups, but I'm sure someone will jump in real shortly with some advice. You'll probably need to be testing for salt before that will operate.
21k gallon means a gallon of 12% will bring it up to about 6ppm, which is plenty in the short term, and wont last long if there is no CYA to buffer it.

I'd recommend reading Pool School (ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry) and Ideal levels (What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?)

 

[UnderwaterDogg]

Should I add some CYA then as well?

 

[SJPoe]

Should I add some CYA then as well?

Assuming your pool company isn't going to, then you are going to have to at some point. Right now, the FC will stop anything ugly, but the sun is going to burn through it pretty quick.
I believe SWG maintained pools are generally recommended to have a higher level of CYA, but as I have a vinyl, LC pool, I'd defer to the real experts around here on the correct order of operations

 

[Newdude]

Should I add some CYA then as well?

Yes. 30ppm worth per PoolMath. Hang it in a sock, carrot on a stick like, in front of a working return. I let mine soak for a day and it will squeeze out in minutes the next day. Some like to jiggle and squeeze it every 15 to 30 mins. Pay close attention to the FC in the meantime because it will burn off in an hour or two until you get the CYA in there.

 

[UnderwaterDogg]

One thing to note, we do have an autocover, so hopefully that will keep the chlorine around a little longer?

 

[UnderwaterDogg]

Also, pool math is telling me I need to add 13 lbs worth of CYA…not sure how I’d hang that in a sock!?

 

[mknauss]

13 lbs of stabilizer would add 74 ppm of CYA. Above it was recommended to add 30 ppm CYA. That is 5 lbs of stabilizer.

Use a couple socks/skimmer nets. Do it in stages. As you said, you have an autocover. So your CYA level above 30 ppm is not as critical.

 

[SJPoe]

Also, pool math is telling me I need to add 13 lbs worth of CYA…not sure how I’d hang that in a sock!?

 

[muffin_dad]

I would ask for my money back. You are basically doing their job for them whatever they did to "open". Dispute the CC transaction if they don't oblige.

 

[Bperry]

Since you’re new at this, make sure any “bleach” you use is super plain with no additives. Most of the stuff you buy at the supermarket isn’t good for a pool. There’s often a better deal in “chlorinating liquid” or “pool shock” which is a safer bet than stuff labeled “bleach”.

 

[UnderwaterDogg]

Awesome! So now I tested everything again today…
FC is up to 3ppm. Just right I think…
TA 250ppm
CH 500ppm
CYA- 0
So now I work on CYA first? I was thinking of going for 35 ppm, kind of splitting the difference between 30 and 40. Pool math is telling me to add 6 lbs 2 oz Dry stabilizer. I am supposed so suspend a sock in there…and its not supposed to touch the sides or bottom of pool? Do I use some kind of broomstick brick contraption or am I missing something here?
What should I do after that? My TA is way out of whack right?
Thanks again, so much everybody. You are all pool angels

 

[Bperry]

Awesome! So now I tested everything again today…
FC is up to 3ppm. Just right I think…
TA 250ppm
CH 500ppm
CYA- 0
So now I work on CYA first? I was thinking of going for 35 ppm, kind of splitting the difference between 30 and 40. Pool math is telling me to add 6 lbs 2 oz Dry stabilizer. I am supposed so suspend a sock in there…and its not supposed to touch the sides or bottom of pool? Do I use some kind of broomstick brick contraption or am I missing something here?
What should I do after that? My TA is way out of whack right?
Thanks again, so much everybody. You are all pool angels

Once you add more CYA, you’ll need more chlorine to match whatever your CYA number ends up being. You can’t really test for 35 so pick either 30 or 40.

 

[mknauss]

I am supposed so suspend a sock in there…and its not supposed to touch the sides or bottom of pool? Do I use some kind of broomstick brick contraption or am I missing something here?

CYA - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com