Need Help with Balancing Water in Newly Installed Plaster Pool and Spa

[TXBlackWidow]

Hi there! We had a 12K IG plaster pool/spa installed the end of October here in Las Vegas, and I need help with balancing the water. I am waiting for my test kit to arrive, so here are my test results from a local pool store.

Water temp: 41
pH: 8.2
Alkalinity: 144
Total Chlorine: 0.28
Free Chlorine: 0.28
Calcium: 313
Copper: 0.1
Iron: 0.2
Phosphates: 165
CYA: 5

Can you tell me the order I need to fix things in? Thank you so much for your help!

 

[mknauss]

Use your TF100 and run pH, TA, and CH. Unless you have added any chemicals, the other items are 0. Post those and we can guide you.

You will need muriatic acid, liquid chlorine, and Cyanuric acid.

As you are in Las Vegas, I suspect your pH is around 8, you TA about 130, and CH about 250.

 

[TXBlackWidow]

I'm still waiting for myTF100 to arrive, so water was tested at pool store. Here are the current values:

Water temp: 41
pH: 8.2
Alkalinity: 144
Total Chlorine: 0.28
Free Chlorine: 0.28
Calcium: 313
CYA: 5

 

[mknauss]

Have you or your builder added any chemical? Has the builder provided you a start up plan?

 

[TXBlackWidow]

Nothing has been added to the water. Aside from the initial plaster care of brushing and not using the heater or vacuuming for 30 days, the builder gave no instructions.

 

[mknauss]

OK -- I suggest you look at Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading and follow the guide based on your plaster type.
Did you Owner Build this pool? Odd that there is no start up guide, as it typically effects warranty.

 

[TXBlackWidow]

This is all we got. We did not owner build. The only thing the pool builder said when I asked about the water was “you can pour in about half a bottle of bleach and half a bottle of acid” which I did not do. The plaster is gunite.

 

[mknauss]

OK -- so you are two months into this and have not followed a start up plan.

So, start by adding 30 ppm worth of CYA/Stabilizer using the sock method. Add 3 ppm worth of liquid chlorine. I would then add 3 ppm worth of liquid chlorine every two or three days until you get your test kit. Keep the pH in the 7's. When will you be receiving your TF100 kit?

 

[TXBlackWidow]

And the plaster was done on October 17.

 

[mknauss]

I would think your pool water has algae. No chlorine since mid October, you will have algae. When you get your test kit, we can guide you on that.

 

[TXBlackWidow]

Ok, thank you I will get started. I’m not sure when the test kit is arriving.

 

[mknauss]

Did not TFTestkits send you an email about delivery? When did you order it?

 

[mknauss]

Have you added salt? Has the SWCG been running?

 

[TXBlackWidow]

I only ordered the kit on Monday, but have not received a shipping notification yet. The SWCG has not been running and I have not added salt yet. Can I add the salt now?

 

[mknauss]

No need to add the salt. Water is too cold for the SWCG to operate right now anyway.
I suspect you will get notice soon on shipment of the kit.

What does your water look like? Can you post a picture of the pool?

 

[TXBlackWidow]

Water looks clear. Will it hurt anything if the salt is added now?

 

[mknauss]

It will not hurt anything to add the salt. If you like. Not needed until March or so when your water temperature will get to where the SWCG will operate.

I am amazed at the water. Not as clear as it could be but ZERO chlorine for two months. Odd.

 

[TXBlackWidow]

Maybe the bad Vegas water was good at keeping the algae under control

I really appreciate your help and guidance!

 

[Nikilyn]

Off topic but is the coping around the spa just like your deck or is it a precast coping?

 

[TXBlackWidow]

The coping around the spa is the same as the deck.