New home/new to me pool, first time pool owner

[TedGreen]

Pool specifics are hopefully in my signature. We bought the house in March and the prior owners had it operational with a pool service last year. It sat uncovered over the winter and we're new pool people. I've spent the last 2 weekends scooping oak leaves out and have the bulk of the solids out but the water is pea-soup green and foul-smelling.

Initial water test at the local pool store (just to get me started)
pH 8.6
Alk 123
CYA 8
FC 0.3
CH 150
TDS 2100
Copper (not sure if this matters) 0.3
Iron (not sure if this matters) 0.1

I have a lot of plain 7.5% bleach. Can I just start SLAMMING and scrubbing/vacuuming? I also have some 31.45% muriatic acid- not sure if I need to get the pH down first?

One final question- With FAS-DPD chlorine test, I borrowed some normally chlorinated pool water from a neighbor to practice on. When I add the powder to the pool water it turns light pink. After adding a few drops of the liquid reagent it quickly turns clear but then if I wait a moment it turns back to pink. Do I count the number of drops needed to initially turn it clear, or the number of drops needed to turn it clear and keep it clear?

Thanks a million for any advice!
Ted

 

[Texas Splash]

Do I count the number of drops needed to initially turn it clear, or the number of drops needed to turn it clear and keep it clear?

The first. It will always try to change back a little if you let it sit. You are correct that you will need to lower the pH down to about t7.2 before starting the SLAM Process. Your signature is filled in (thanks!), but you posted pool store test results. Yuck. When you get a chance, please post your own TF-Pro results. We trust your testing more than the local shop. They are almost always off the mark.

Stick close to TFP and we'll help you through this process. Welcome to TFP!

 

[Texas Splash]

You might consider using the PoolMath APP as well. It's a great tool and has a feature (Effects of Adding) that helps show you how much of a product to add to the waster to reach a desired goal. Practice with it and let us know if you have any questions.

Also save --------> Pool Care Basics

 

[PoolStored]

I have a lot of plain 7.5% bleach. Can I just start SLAMMING and scrubbing/vacuuming? I also have some 31.45% muriatic acid- not sure if I need to get the pH down first?

Print these instructions out and read them three times. Keep them with you as you slam and read again. Having paper copies really helped me...

Link-->SLAM Process

Trust your test kit.

 

[TedGreen]

Hi Everyone, thanks for the helpful suggestions. We just finally passed our OCLT this morning! The water is crystal clear. Here are our full set of numbers from the last time the Fc was <10 a few days ago.
pH 7.8, TA 150, CH 250, CYA 25-30 (not 100% confident in my interpretation).

I presume I now need to lower my pH which would help the TA. Maybe add some calcium? Maybe add a small amount of additional stabilizer? Then just let the Fc drift down to maintenance levels?


Thanks in advance!

 

[PoolStored]

CYA 25-30 (not 100% confident in my interpretation).

Round up. Your CYA is 30.

I presume I now need to lower my pH which would help the TA.

Leave it alone. When pH rises to 8, reduce it to 7.6. If it sits at 7.8, no worries. Manage pH, TA will come down over time...

Maybe add some calcium?

Hold off for the moment and test your fill water CH...

Maybe add a small amount of additional stabilizer?

You can, 30-50 is recommended range. We have many, particularly in the south that like to run at 60, just to conserve chlorine.

Then just let the Fc drift down to maintenance levels?

Yep!

Congrats...