New fill- very high TA- what next?

[sdpoolfamily]

Hello-

First time pool person here. I have been reading on-line and still would take some reassurance and guidance if I am on the right track. We just finished filling our 18x9x52 Intex XTR pool yesterday (4500 gallons). We are running a SWG so I followed the set up instructions and will be turning that on tomorrow. I added 3 cups of bleach to get some chlorine in there and added about 85 lbs of salt and ran the filter for 24 hours to get the salt dissolving. I also added a pound of stabilizer as recommended. I tested the pool this morning with my Taylor Pro Salt kit:

TA=300
PH= 7.8
Chlorine- 3
FAS-DPD- 3 with 0 CC
CYA- 30
Salt- 2800
CA- 325

I used the Pool Math app and it said to use 6oz of Muriatic Acid to reduce pH. I did that tonight knowing that it will likely lower both my pH and TA. I understand aerating to raise help get pH up again and that this is likely a cycle that I will have to repeat- lower pH to lower TA, then raise pH again so that I can add more acid to lower the TA. My kids will be in there splashing around so hopefully that will be great aeration. Any other thoughts? Just keep going until I get my TA in the correct range? It is a long way to go!

I will test again in the morning and see what my TA, pH and chlorine are. I will also add some more salt (about 30 lbs) and get my SWG running to get the chlorine more steady. I also plan to add more stabilizer to get my CYA closer to the ideal range.

Below are the numbers I have for ideal with a vinyl pool running a SWG and what I am aiming for. I am a little confused as I also have read that I shouldn't lower TA unless one of these things happens (process can take days or weeks). Since this is an initial fill, I still need to lower my TA right or it is going to lead to either #1 or #2?

1. Need to slow down pH rise
2. If TA is too high and contributing to calcium scaling

FC: 5-7 ppm
pH: 7.6-7.8
TA: 60-80
CYA 70-80
Salt- 3000-3500

Thank you so much!

 

[Texas Splash]

Good morning. Those ideal numbers you are going for are prefect. Focus on maintaining the ideal FC level to prevent algae first. Have some liquid chlorine available until you are sure the SWG is dialed-in just right. Even after that, it's good to have a gallon ready just in case.

As for the TA, don't panic. It will lower over time and you probably don't need to rush it (the pH) with aeration either. Use muriatic acid to lower the pH from about 8.0 down to 7.0-7.2. That larger dose of acid will have a better impact on the TA as well. Once the pH floats back up to 8.0, repeat. Over several sessions, you'll see the TA slowly start to fall, probably about 10-15 ppm at a time.

Good testing and homework. I think you're on the right track.

 

[sdpoolfamily]

Good morning. Those ideal numbers you are going for are prefect. Focus on maintaining the ideal FC level to prevent algae first. Have some liquid chlorine available until you are sure the SWG is dialed-in just right. Even after that, it's good to have a gallon ready just in case.

As for the TA, don't panic. It will lower over time and you probably don't need to rush it (the pH) with aeration either. Use muriatic acid to lower the pH from about 8.0 down to 7.0-7.2. That larger dose of acid will have a better impact on the TA as well. Once the pH floats back up to 8.0, repeat. Over several sessions, you'll see the TA slowly start to fall, probably about 10-15 ppm at a time.

Good testing and homework. I think you're on the right track.

Thank you so much for your feedback!! One other question for you- do I keep running my filter right before and after adding the muriatic acid? I have read to keep it running to circulate it through the whole pool and so the caustic features don't affect my liner. I have also watched videos or read where it says to shut the pump off and make sure water is completely still and not run the pump for a while after adding it (e.g. pooling). I am leaning toward the first to have my filter running, but thoughts? Thanks!

 

[PoolStored]

Thank you so much for your feedback!! One other question for you- do I keep running my filter right before and after adding the muriatic acid?

Run the pump while you are adding slowly, in front of a return. Brush a bunch in the area after pouring. Run the pump for 30 minutes to circulate.

 

[sdpoolfamily]

Run the pump while you are adding slowly, in front of a return. Brush a bunch in the area after pouring. Run the pump for 30 minutes to circulate.

Thank you!!