New and confused pool ownwr

[klg]

Hi! Nice to meet you all!

We are new above ground pool owners near Chicago IL. We just had a 24’ round 54” pool installed and filled by a truck as we have well water.

We have received so much conflicting info about starting up and have heard nothing but great things about this group from FB group.

We have not shocked it yet. We were advised to get alkalinity down first. It was at 240 we’ve been adding muriatic acid diluted with water in increments. We’ve done two gallons so far and we’re stalled at 180. Ph was 7.2 but now it’s lowering. I have heard that ph should be regulated after alkalinity is lowered.

Should we continue to do the muriatic to get that into range? If this isn’t the right place to ask, sorry for being needy in my first post!! Thank you!

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! Since you elaborated quite a bit about your situation here, I'm going to move this thread to the Testing & Balancing your water sub-forum to keep all the details together. Feel free to start new new thread in the Intro Yourself area if you like just to talk abut you specifically. Some links below to help get you started. Well water is trick We'll come back to that more.

Just Filled Your Pool with Water? Here's What To Do Next - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Get 30ppm of CYA and maintain 5ppm of FC using liquid chlorine into the water ASAP.

Forget about your TA. That does not keep your water sanitary and algae free.

Get a good test kit - Test Kits Compared

Just Filled Your Pool with Water? Here's What To Do Next - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

Liquid Chlorine - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Texas Splash]

I will add this.... we cannot over-emphasize the importance of proper water testing. It's especially critical for pools with iron in it from well water. Be sure to have a TF-100, TF-Pro Series, or Taylor K-2006C test kit available. Post a full set of water test results after you've read the link above and we'll be glad to help you. It's all about proper at-home testing. Avoid test strips and the pool store like the plague. Also see -----> Pool Care Basics/

Test Kits

tftestkits.net

Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

What pool test kit should I buy? Why shouldn't I use test strips? Our recommended test kits will pay for themselves in no time!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Texas Splash]

We were advised to get alkalinity down first. It was at 240 we’ve been adding muriatic acid diluted with water in increments. We’ve done two gallons so far and we’re stalled at 180.

TA is not a priority. TA is extraordinarily high in your region and we can help you with that later. Focus more on the FC, CYA, and pH for now. TA will come down in time. Be careful of local advice you hear, it's probably pool store nonsense.

Again, it all starts with a proper test kit. IMO, the TF series kits are a better value, but your choice. Just be sure to have one or the other ASAP if you don't have one already.

 

[Texas Splash]

Lastly (for now) ha, be sure to fill out your signature. The article below should help guide you.

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[klg]

TA is not a priority. TA is extraordinarily high in your region and we can help you with that later. Focus more on the FC, CYA, and pH for now. TA will come down in time. Be careful of local advice you hear, it's probably pool store nonsense.

Again, it all starts with a proper test kit. IMO, the TF series kits are a better value, but your choice. Just be sure to have one or the other ASAP if you don't have one already.

Thank you! So should we get the ph up and then add the shock? The CYA is currently 0 it seems. We have both strips and the dropper tests. The AK came down to 160 now so making a little progress.

We have the Frog Leap system too which comes with algaecide I assume we should do that after other things?

 

[klg]

Lastly (for now) ha, be sure to fill out your signature. The article below should help guide you.

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks! I filled out what I know for now

 

[Texas Splash]

We have the Frog Leap system

Something you will learn here is that many of those systems have side effects, in this case copper. We discourage those products and recommend using liquid chlorine as your primary method of sanitation. Perhaps one day look into a salt water generator.

 

[Texas Splash]

We have both strips and the dropper tests.

You can basically toss the test strips in the trash. They are not accurate or reliable. Which droplet tester do you have? Perhaps post some pics for us to see? Accurate testing will make or break your pool season.

 

[Texas Splash]

I filled out what I know for now

Certainly a good start. Feel free to post pics of your pool and equipment pad. We can help you add more details to the signature.