Need some help...

[hillmonthero]

Bought a new home last September here in New Jersey and used a pool service to maintain and close the pool for me in the Fall. I have a good feel for the pool equipment, but I know nothing about chemicals and about keeping a proper PH in the pool. Started doing some research and I stumbled into the BBB method, and it peaked my curiosity and here I am. My ultimate goal is to be able to independently maintain my pool.

About my pool: in ground pool with a newer liner (previous owner).

 

[duraleigh]

Welcome to the forum

Please read "The "ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry" up in Pool School. It is the basis for everything we teach.

What does your water look like?

 

[Arizonarob]

ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

 

[hillmonthero]

Welcome to the forum

Please read "The "ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry" up in Pool School. It is the basis for everything we teach.

What does your water look like?

Thanks @duraleigh & ArizonaRob!
Read the ABC's and was able to understand some of it, but I've always been better at learning through application, over reading alone. Think I'll start absorbing it more once I get into using the chemicals.

Some more about my pool:
My pool had a leak (small tear in the liner) which I was able to have fixed by a friend thankfully. So to my knowledge, my pool sat half empty for some if not all of the winter (shallow end was completely empty. I'm refilling the water now and it has a green tint to it and there's algae on top, which I've been skimming. I have a hose in the pool right now and I expect the pool will be filled by tonight. Side bar, the liner came off in a corner on the shallow-end (about 2 inches of separation) , and I have to work to get it reconnected. I tried using hot water, but I thought I might tear it once I start pulling on it, and so I stopped. I watched a video that suggested letting some water behind the liner (where the disconnect is) to create some ease, and it seemed like the guy pulled it right up. Anyone have any experience on this sidebar issue, I'd love to hear it?

My water comes from a well on my property, and it's completely untreated.

My pool size is an oval, 40ft by 20ft. 3ft shallow-end, and I believe 9ft deep-end.

Not using a salt water system. No chemicals used yet in my pool this season.

 

[Arizonarob]

It all starts with a good test kit.
Either the TF100 Here
Or
Taylor K-2006c Here

Once you have it, run a full set of tests and post the numbers up, and folks will help you get up to speed.

 

[hillmonthero]

It all starts with a good test kit.
Either the TF100 Here
Or
Taylor K-2006c Here

Once you have it, run a full set of tests and post the numbers up, and folks will help you get up to speed.

Thanks @Arizonarob

I ordered one online yesterday and it says I'll have it by Thursday. So will post up the results once I have them.
Amazon.com : TAYLOR TECHNOLOGIES INC K-2006 TEST KIT COMP CHLORINE FAS-DPD : Swimming Pool Liquid Test Kits : Garden & Outdoor (This is the one I ordered, which I now notice has a different model number. Should I be OK with this one, or am I missing something?

 

[hillmonthero]

My K2006 just arrived tonight and I plan to test the water tomorrow.
Since I had a leak in the pool, we had to refill it more than half way with new water. The refill completed yesterday and the water is already cloudy and green.
Based on my reading here so far, my understanding is that my first thing is to test the CYA level so I know the level I'll need to SLAM at? Am I getting this right?

 

[Mdragger88]

Yup ?? run the full set & post it up.
Also download the PoolMath app so u can calculate what u need to add.

 

[hillmonthero]

@Mdragger88
When you say run the full set, I should run more than only the CYA? I thought because I had Algae, I just go right into SLAM mode. Sorry I'm new to this.

And to be clear, when you talk about the full set, you mean these 5, correct?

• FC
• PH
• TA
• CH
• CYA

 

[Mdragger88]

Yes all those plus cc too.

 

[Mdragger88]

& yes Do it tomorrow as you need to be in the sun for the cya test

 

[Mdragger88]

Also try to add your signature with all your pool info- it helps us help u. See mine for reference

 

[hillmonthero]

Tested my water... it took a long time!

FCC - It didn't specify how much water to use, so I filled the large container up half way and kept adding R-0870 (6 .05 scoops full) and it never turned pink.

PH - Off the charts Pink. Based on color it was much higher than the greatest value listed, 8.

TA - 60

CH - 100

CYA - Less than 30. The dot did not dissappear.

Not sure I did the CYA and FCC tests correctly... this is my first time. Thanks in advance for being gentle.

 

[Mdragger88]

Here’s some helpful instructions - re-do fc & cc

 

[Mdragger88]

We usually advise to just use a 10ml sample & 1 heaping scoop of powder to save
reagents.
aside from the fas dpd test i’m not sure all my instructions are the same so
Here’s the Taylor videos for your exact kit

K-2006 Complete™ Kit with FAS-DPD

 

[Mdragger88]

Also you need to lower your ph with muriatic acid - aim for 7.5 & retest in 30 min or so use PoolMath to calculate amounts

 

[hillmonthero]

Thanks, @Mdragger. I'm on hold for a moment because the pool leak we thought we had fixed is still an issue. The water has drained below the skimmer. luckily I was there to supervise it while it was happening and I turned off the pump and equipment.
I have a pool service crew coming by to look at it today. Any tips?

 

[Mdragger88]

I would add 3ppm of liquid chlorine daily to prevent the water from getting worse while you sort the leaks out. You can pour it in slowly away from the liner & use the brush to stir it around. I hold the brush in one hand & pour the bleach in with the other.

 

[hillmonthero]

OK. Can you double check my math... is that around 86 fluid ounces of chlorine per day?

 

[Mdragger88]

What is the strength of your chlorine? If it is 12% then yes. When u get the pump back circulating re test everything & get up to 30 ppm cya - add stabilizer via the sock method then get your ph down to 7.2 & u can start the SLAM Process