New build 2020/05/06

[A.Graham]

Started new pool build last week! Looking good so far with rain delays (pictures attached). As you can see from our sloped back yard, we'll have a retaining wall. Concrete for pool walls to be poured tomorrow.

PB allots 4 ft concrete on the sides and 8 ft on the ends. We opted for 5 ft on the sides and close an extra 500 ft of concrete combined on the ends so to wrap around porch and go to end of garage backside. We're doing a vinyl liner, 16 x 32 ft with 16 ft wide steps. Only going 6.5 ft deep with no diving board.

Equipment will be Pentair IntelliFlo® VSF Variable Speed and Flow Pump and the Pentair Clean & Clear Plus Cartridge Filter - 420 sqft or comparable Hayward Tristar VS and C4030 Swim Clear Cartridge Filter (going to keep the brands the same in case of automation later on). For the SWG the Pentair IntelliChlor IC60 Cell (US Version) 521105 or Hayward AquaRite Salt Generator Complete 40,000 Gallons Power Center and Salt Cell Kit W3AQR15 (again for automation option). I will update my signature once I have confirmation of which one the PB is going with (1st impression is Pentair).

This site has already proven to invaluable in many decisions. I will post more as it happens.

 

[kimkats]

SWEET!!! Another pool to help build!! Hi and welcome to TFP!

That IS quite a slope there! WOW! That is a lot of dirt!! LOVE the little one having fun in it!! SO CUTE!

So will you level out the rest of they yard behind the pool?

Kim

 

[A.Graham]

Thanks kimkats! The yard is fairly flat from the top of the retaining wall, just can't see it from the mound of dirt yet to be removed from the dig. It is about another 0.5 acre of fenced in yard. We considered having the pool installed on the flat part but from everything we've read/seen, it is better to have closer to the house than farther. Also, when on the elevated portion of the yard, you can see the neighborhood and they can see you. A little more privacy closer to our house.

Question - How soon should I order the TF test kit? I know the reagents have a shelf life but didn't know if getting it a couple weeks early really mattered.

 

[sktn77a]

Don't ya just love our sticky red clay!!!

 

[kimkats]

I would go ahead and order it tomorrow with how fast your pool is going. This will also allow you to test your fill water so we will know what to tell you to have ready to balance your water.

Kim

 

[A.Graham]

I would go ahead and order it tomorrow with how fast your pool is going. This will also allow you to test your fill water so we will know what to tell you to have ready to balance your water.

Kim

Thanks. I'll go ahead and order this week. I know I'm getting the stirrer and TF-100. Since I have a SWG, I need to add the option of K-1766, correct? Anything else? Just want to make sure I get everything.

 

[kimkats]

I would get a couple of extra "beans" aka stirrers just in case you lose one down the drain. With you having a vinyl pool like me you will not need the whale wall brush so your list looks good to me.............oh wait get one of the good pressure gauges. It will not be long before the factory one gives out. The ones from TFP has some special gel in them to keep them working MUCH longer!

Kim

 

[A.Graham]

Rain has been kicking our butt this week but good progress despite. Fingers crossed for some good weather.

 

[A.Graham]

Don't ya just love our sticky red clay!!!

It hasn't been as bad as I expected but it does get everywhere. With the 5 dogs, it has been a lot of fun cleaning feet.....

 

[kimkats]

NICE progress!!!

5??? dogs??? that is a LOT of feet to wipe!!!

 

[A.Graham]

Weather has slowed us this week again but we did get concrete steps poured and detailed excavation done in the pool area. Weather is looking clear all of next week so we're expecting a lot of progress then.

 

[A.Graham]

We're going with the Lotus liner from Tera Liners and stone coping like attached. Does anyone have this liner? We would love to see additional pics.

 

[scout123]

It looks great! Thankfully, we have some sunny days coming up!

 

[A.Graham]

We finally got some good weather and got the coping done. The concrete is scheduled for this Tuesday, retaining wall Thursday.

 

[A.Graham]

Got my Taylor K-2006C test kit and went ahead and practiced testing the fill water source (tested everything 3 times). Here are the results and what I'm guessing is the proper sequence of chemical adjustments for start up;

1. CYA 0 Target 75 (add 571 oz liquid stabilizer) - this seems like a lot??
2. TA 60-70 Target 60-80 (good)
3. CH 70 Target <550 (good)
4. FC 1.5 Target 5 (add 229 oz 6% bleach) - this seems low for start up??
5. CC 0 Target 0
6. Salt 200-400 Target 3200 (add 589 LB)
7. pH 7.6 Target 7.6-7.8 (good for now but expect to adjust down after everything else is balanced)

I know I'll retest the actual pool water prior, but please let me know if the order of addition makes sense and if the stabilizer and bleach additions seem accurate (I used Pool Math for everything). I'll be using liquid stabilizer (just a preference) and once I have the water balanced and salt added, I'll start working out the pump/SWG output to maintain FC.

I feel like I'm missing something. Just seems a little too simple....

 

[kimkats]

I feel like I'm missing something. Just seems a little too simple....

I know!!! It REALLY is that simple!!! For reals!!!

I am going to tweak you posting of the numbers a bit so make it easier for us in the long run:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH ( will not really matter with a liner pool)
CYA
Salt

This is how we are used to seeing them and will save you some typing without the numbers.

I am loving that coping. You had artist with a big saw in your yard!!

Kim

 

[A.Graham]

Here are the numbers in the suggested order;

FC 1.5 Target 5 (add 229 oz 6% bleach) - this seems low for start up??
CC 0 Target 0
pH pH 7.6 Target 7.6-7.8 (good for now but expect to adjust down after everything else is balanced
TA 60-70 Target 60-80 (good)
CH 70 (will not really matter with a liner pool)
CYA 0 Target 75 (add 571 oz liquid stabilizer) - this seems like a lot??
Salt 200-400 Target 3200 (add 589 LB)

I'd like a double check on the CYA and Bleach additions - pool is actually 21K gallons (I'll update my signature)

Am I correct on my order of addition during start up;

fill pool and test
add liquid CYA 1st - wait 60 min
add FC (bleach) 2nd - wait 60 min
add salt 3rd - wait 12-24 hours *Pump running during additions and after salt added - SWG off*
Retest everything and if in range start SWG based of Pool Math recommendations

Thanks again for all the help. Hoping to be filling next week.

 

[kimkats]

You are on the right track! Thanks for the order of the tests.

You can add the CYA and Chlorine within 15 mins of each other..........really and truly you don't really need to wait between them but I am a worry wort so don't add two at a time.

NOW saying the above you DO need to wait between adding chlorine and muriatic acid!!!! They do NOT play well together. Pump on high and wait 15 mins between the two. Brushing the area where you add it helps also. Make sure to pour right in front of the return AND pour slow so the stream has time to catch the flow and push it out into the pool.

For the CYA I would cut that in half. It is easier to add CYA than it is to remove it. Shoot for 30 and wait a day to see where it is at then bring it by 10s until you reach your goal. There is no 75 for CYA. We would round up to 80. With CYA "close enough" works.

Kim

 

[A.Graham]

We have decking! Control panel mounted as well. Electrical and pool bottom to be done today. Tomorrow is the liner install and retaining wall over the weekend. Getting closer to having my backyard back.

 

[kimkats]

Let some of the dirt end!!!! That is a huge step forward!

So when will they be doing the retaining wall?

Kim