New fill and need help getting chemicals right.

[Agberdy]

Hi, this is my first time posting. I have read the rules and hope to have included all the needed info.
I have been managing my pool for the last few years since my pool man quit. By recommendation of the pool store, I had previously been using Trichlor tablets in a floater. As a result, my CYA was sky high (around 100). After I discovered this site, I switched to bleach or Ca Hypochlorite powder but my pool was eating up chlorine very fast and I could not get a handle on the algae problem.
I finally decided to drain the pool to get a better handle on the CYA. I drained about 80% of the water and pressure washed the algae off; then refilled with tap water a few days ago. My first set of readings after the fill are:
FC 1
CC 0
TA 130
ph 7.8
CYA 0 (I filled all the whole tube and could still see the black dot--did this twice to confirm)
CH 130 (600 before drain)

I never had the problem before of low CYA so am not sure how best to replace it or what to do at this point. Can I just start using the chlorine tabs for a short time to get the CYA levels up?
I already added Ca Hypochlorite to raise the chlorine levels.
I already added muriatic acid to lower ph.

How often do I need to be checking the levels and adding additional chemicals?

My water looks clear with yellow powder on the floor which gets stirred up when I brush or when the sweeper goes by.

Thanks so much for you help. I love this site and have learned so much in the short time that I have been managing my pool.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum! Great job on getting a test kit and filling out your signature!

First - you need to add Calcium, CYA, and bleach.
Calcium - as you have a plaster pool, you need to get that to 250. You can do that by using the Cal Hypo for awhile, but that might take awhile and you are compromising your plaster right now with the low calcium.
CYA - You need to add 30 ppm worth of CYA powder. It is called conditioner, stabilizer, etc. Buy at Walmart, Home Depot, etc. Place the powder in a sock and hang in front of the return. Run your pump and squeeze the sock and it will dissolve in a few hours.
Bleach - add enough to stay at FC 3, daily.

Once you get to a CH of 250 or so, discontinue using the Cal Hypo. That will slow your CH gain to just what is added due to your fill water.

Keep asking questions -- welcome again!

Take care.

FYI - Once you get the above going - you will need to SLAM. So post back and we can help you devise a plan for that.

 

[Agberdy]

completed dissolving CYA through sock, probably 25-30ppm (hard to tell how much of the powder was used).
repeat TC today 3 and pH 7.5.
I understand the CYA will not register for about a week.

You said next will be to slam. Is that to kill any possible algae left over?
Any advice for the next steps?
Thanks,
Alex

 

[mknauss]

A SLAM because you had algae before you drained. You need to eradicate it from the pipes and equipment. Should go quick.

Your CYA, if done via the sock method, should show up in 24 hours or so. Since you said you drained 80% you should have had some left over in the water before you added the powder, so I would suspect it will be in the 40 range.
In the future, try to weigh or measure the CYA powder that you put in the sock. PoolMath reports in weight or volume the amount you need.

Test your CYA late this afternoon - follow the directions in the Extended Test Directions section of Pool School.

One you have that number, take the pool water to shock level FC for your CYA - see the chlorine / CYA chart in Pool School.

Once you start the SLAM, test / dose every couple hours until you see the FC hold, then lengthen out the time. Once you have done your SLAM for a few days, check the three criteria for a successful SLAM in Pool School.

Good luck.

 

[Agberdy]

so my readings just now 10pm monday:
TC/CC 2
ph 7.5
CA 150
TA 120
CYA 30

I added some CA Hypo
I am still floating 4 three inch trichlor tabs.

Am I ready for slamming at this point?

Also, you said to check chlorine and add more every few hours. Since I am working all day during the week, is this best to do over the weekend?

Thanks.

 

[AftonJeeper]

The quickest way to get through a slam is to maintain the FC at slam level. That takes time but the sooner you start, the sooner your done.

Are you doing the OTO chlorine test or the FAS-DPD test?

Make sure you read through the slam article and understand the 3 criteria you need to end the slam. If you have any questions let us know.

 

[mknauss]

so my readings just now 10pm monday:
TC/CC 2
ph 7.5
CA 150
TA 120
CYA 30

I added some CA Hypo
I am still floating 4 three inch trichlor tabs.

Am I ready for slamming at this point?

Also, you said to check chlorine and add more every few hours. Since I am working all day during the week, is this best to do over the weekend?

Thanks.

Pull the pucks. You are done using those unless you go on vacation for a few days.
Add enough muriatic acid to lower pH to 7.2
Using liquid chlorine, raise your FC to 12. You must use the FAS-DPD test in your kit for all FC testing.
Test / dose as often as possible. First thing in the morning, noon if possible (can anyone add bleach at noon?) right after you get home from work, right after dinner, and before you go to bed. It will take longer to complete the SLAM that way but much better than letting things get out of hand waiting on the weekend.

Good luck.

- - - Updated - - -

Your CH is low for a plaster pool. So if you have Cal hypo - you can substitute that for the liquid chlorine / bleach for awhile. Test CH every few days and stop using it once your CH gets to 250.