New Intex 20ft pool water levels

[Bmschoen]

Hello. We got our first above ground pool this year. It is an intex 20 ft ultra frame. We filled it a couple weeks ago and I’ve been working on getting my water levels right. We have the intex SWG system. I have posted the levels below. I’ve been having trouble getting the PH down but finally got it down to 7.4, but my TA seems pretty high yet. Looking at these levels, what do you all suggest. I have taken these with the taylor K2006 test kit. I know my CYA is a little low as well. The water looks very clean and clear. Thank you!
FC 2.4
PH 7.4
TA 230
CYA 30
CH 370

 

[Richard320]

Welcome!

Go ahead and raise the CYA level to 70. It has the added benefit of being acidic, so that should help some with the TA.

In the meantime, don't let the high TA keep you from swimming. It's not harmful in any way, it just tends to push the pH up faster at higher concentrations. When pH rises to 7.8, you lower it with acid and the TA comes down a little each time. It's nothing to agonize over. It'll come down over time.

 

[Bmschoen]

Thanks for the reply Richard. I will raise the CYA up some. My manual that came with my intex SWG has a chart that says to use a max CYA level of 50 ppm. Will the 70 be ok in this pool? Also is the CH number anything to be concerned with?

 

[Richard320]

Thanks for the reply Richard. I will raise the CYA up some. My manual that came with my intex SWG has a chart that says to use a max CYA level of 50 ppm. Will the 70 be ok in this pool? Also is the CH number anything to be concerned with?

70 is ideal for a pool with a SWG.

CH is nice to know. Low CH is no problem in a vinyl pool as there's no plaster to etch. High CH can still cause scaling. You needn't raise CH unless it's super low and the water foam around the returns. High CH just means a little extra caution with pH and TA levels. Unless you already know from clogged showerheads and coffeepots that you have real hard water, there's nothing to worry about. But you still ought to test it just to know.