New Northeastern Pa Build

[jimim]

morning!

5AM

water temp: 74
pH: 7.8 added acid and brushed
FC: 3.5 !!! didn't add anything
CC: 0
TA: 100
CH: 275
CSI: .18 @pH of 7.8 when tested

going to work. so tired! only reason a person should have to get up at 5 is for work, a baby, or fishing! 3 more weeks and I will be doing number 3 at 5 AM!

jim

 

[SuzfromTexas]

There you go - fishing! The reward for all your pool work (and everything else you do).

Add bleach as soon as you can. Didn't you mention you might be able to make a quick stop home at lunch time or earlier? That would be really good.

 

[jimim]

There you go - fishing! The reward for all your pool work (and everything else you do).

Add bleach as soon as you can. Didn't you mention you might be able to make a quick stop home at lunch time or earlier? That would be really good.

its suppose to be real cloudy today so I didn't add bleach since it was over 3.0 and figured burn off would be slow. I'm going back home at about 930 inbetween stops. I'll test real quick and add to take up to 4 then?

 

[ctrav]

Jim what did you use for CYA? I added some yesterday to bump my CYA up from 40 to 50 and it only took about 3 hours to dissolve in a sock. I put mine in the skimmer and went out about every 30 min to squeeze/massage the sock. I will take a reading this weekend just to give it a little time and I have been running the pump on high.

Here is a pic of what I used:

 

[SuzfromTexas]

its suppose to be real cloudy today so I didn't add bleach since it was over 3.0 and figured burn off would be slow. I'm going back home at about 930 inbetween stops. I'll test real quick and add to take up to 4 then?

OK!!! Good thinking - cloudy, back in a few hours to check - you were thinking ahead!!!

 

[pooldv]

More here about CSI and what can happen, Pool School - Calcium Scaling

Lowering TA is only difficult if you want to lower it a lot at once. Otherwise it will come down slowly on its own as you add acid to lower pH.

No need to worry about CH until it gets above 1000 ppm. Some members manage theirs up to 1200 ppm. I doubt that yours will ever even hit 500 ppm.

 

[jimim]

Jim what did you use for CYA? I added some yesterday to bump my CYA up from 40 to 50 and it only took about 3 hours to dissolve in a sock. I put mine in the skimmer and went out about every 30 min to squeeze/massage the sock. I will take a reading this weekend just to give it a little time and I have been running the pump on high.

Here is a pic of what I used:
View attachment 66047

That is exactly what I used. I had to use 4 pounds that's why mine took longer to dissolve. I had it in three socks. I only went out maybe twice or three times a day to squeeze it. A member on here reminded me that the socks cannot touch the new plaster so I used a piece of trim that I had laying around the house. And used some pavers to hold a piece of trim from falling into the pool and hung the socks over the edge of the trim using electric Staples and rope.

I have a picture of it a page or 2 back.

- - - Updated - - -

OK!!! Good thinking - cloudy, back in a few hours to check - you were thinking ahead!!!

im learning! Lol

I did just add some because now it is very very hot and sunny. Brought it up to four.

- - - Updated - - -

More here about CSI and what can happen, Pool School - Calcium Scaling

Lowering TA is only difficult if you want to lower it a lot at once. Otherwise it will come down slowly on its own as you add acid to lower pH.

No need to worry about CH until it gets above 1000 ppm. Some members manage theirs up to 1200 ppm. I doubt that yours will ever even hit 500 ppm.

Perfect thanks a lot thanks for walking me off the ledge I get worried about things like this last thing I want to do is ruin a brand-new pool my wife is already worried because I'm doing some diff technique of chemical treatment because of everything I read here and the help that you guys have all been graciously providing to me.

Thanks!

 

[pooldv]

Really the only thing you could do in the short term to cause any issues with the pool is not maintain FC above minimum for your CYA and not keep on between 7.2 and 7.8 at all times. Those are the two most important things by far.

 

[jimim]

Really the only thing you could do in the short term to cause any issues with the pool is not maintain FC above minimum for your CYA and not keep on between 7.2 and 7.8 at all times. Those are the two most important things by far.

ok cool so i'm doing alright then. my pH every morning has been 7.8. no matter what time i go to bed the pH is always high in the AM. We are going away for the day friday. I know I'm going to need CL and acid added a few times during the day so I can't have my parents test so I'm going to have them add small amounts at intervals to keep me safe till we get home. I'll test in the AM before we go and brush.

 

[jimim]

another day in the books!

my FC levels held good today. My CYA must have kicked in. I'm going to test for it tomorrow when I get home from work when I can concentrate on the test. My TA must be falling a bit cause my pH was in need of more attention today. I added acid at 7 and I needed to add more again a few minutes ago.

I wired in my temp sensors for the easy touch today. My pool builder came to fix up some plumbing. His plumbing guy didn't glue 3 out of 9 pipes on the suction side. lol He was flipping. My coping guy was here to fix them. We got a good laugh out of it. No harm. The suction of everything kept them together until we turned off the pump and everything blew up from water hammering.

Then my buddy showed up and we started in on the pavers. Well he did. I was a labor monkey. I carried for him so he could figure out lines and layout for the drains.

Finally I decided to see why I was getting that error E01 message on my heater. I called pentair and they said it was a temp sensor so they said i had to meter the temp sensor. they gave me the ohm reading for the temp of the pool water and it was fine so they said to see if the wire was seated properly in the board. all ok there. now i'm worried. he said did you check the other side. i said i couldn't find where it ran to. he told me. i opened up the side and there ya go. not hooked up from the factory. all good now. problem solved.

i said 3 days ago i was going to star to mess wit programming screen logic. still haven't gotten there. i did get somewhere with it. i pulled the login for it off the adaptor. baby steps. . . baby steps. . .

oh and i sealed the gap for the pavers meet the bond beam and also sealed off any gaps between the bond beam and pour we did for pavers. there is no way i'm doing a self leveling chalk line between the pavers and coping on a new pool. my buddy said we will be fine with how good our pitches are and with me sealing everything how i did.

all in all a very productive day. and i still went into work for a bit!

i'm going to bed. it was my son's 5th birthday tonight so we had some family and friends over for cake. I'm a big lego nut. he loves them too. i collect the creator building sets. the large city buildings. we both collect technics also cause they stay together nice for him to play with cause of all the motors. my parents got him this huge mining machine. it's huge. 4000 pieces. i can't wait to tackle that with him this winter.

ok that was really my whole day now. thanks for listening!

night!
jim

 

[kimkats]

Fun times all the way around! Working with buddy and getting lots done!

did not glue the pipe??? Yeah that kind of needs to be done! Glad you figured it out.

Wire not hooked up from the factory.........good catch and sounds like you had a good tech on the other end of the line........nice!

So your boy gets to start Kindergarten in Aug! How exciting!

Kim

 

[ctrav]

Happy Birthday to your little man Jim...4000 piece set WOW...thats a lot to get out of the pool Wait that would be my youngest granddaughter since she thinks all of her toys need a bath as she says Good to see your chems seem to be holding.

 

[jimim]

Thanks guys! Ya he goes to kindergarden this year. He is a big Lego fan. He likes playing with all my old sets and just building random stuff. Right now he is working on a city police set he got from our neighbor. He can pretty much do most sets on his own already in that 6-12 range with just me sitting there doing something else.

Hot day day here today. Humidity was like Florida in the summer humid. And hot. Not Texas hot but hot for up here. My ph and fc did well from 5 am to 2. Ph was 7.7 and fc was 2 when I got home. At least it wasn't 1 and a 8.0 plus ph.

Waiting till later to do a do a full battery of tests.

Jim

 

[kimkats]

Has Mom let the kids get in yet??

Kim

 

[jimim]

Has Mom let the kids get in yet??

Kim

no because of the break in with diamond write. she wants to wait that 14-28 days they r saying for full cure. I think we will let them go in at 14 days. They have been dunking their feet.

I did a full battery of tests. I'm frustrated with CYA test. My wife and myself both did it. We are getting less than 20. like overflow the vial. we have good eye site. what is considered a valid test. totally not being able to see it or barely? any suggestions. should i have a result yet?

so results:

temp: 82
ph: 7.5 added acid
FC 4
CC 0
TC 4
CH 300
TA 90 should i bump it up tomorrow a bit? 80-120 is their recommendation
CYA: less than 20??????
CSI .03 at those levels

thanks!

 

[SuzfromTexas]

Hi Jim! Good work!

CYA test: many of us have a tough time with that test. I just grit my teeth each time I run it. I think I and others fret too much over it. You will get more confident as you do it more. Sometimes I still feel unsure, but after the first year, I felt sure about most of the tests. I guess that kept me in a good range, at least.

On the 15th, you added 83oz to go from 0 CYA to 30. Run your numbers again in PoolMath to double check the 83oz was correct.

It's been 4 days since you put the socks out, so test again on Saturday and see if you get a different reading. People report different times when they get a reading after adding CYA - some have said the next day, some say a week, and then others say in between 1-7 days for it to show in your test results. I usually wait a week to test my CYA after I've added.


Test instructions and tips:
1. Follow what is given on the card that came with your kit.
2. Try as best you can to test the same time of day and in good sunlight. If it's overcast and dreary the day you plan to test it, wait for the next good sunny day.
3. Do this particular test outside with your back to the sun (but you're not in the shade). (I usually do the mixing of pool water and reagent inside)
4. Hold the top of the tube with your thumb and index finger (not all your fingers), so you aren't blocking the light. (yet, you don't want to face the sun - back to the sun)
5. Fill slowly. A little at a time.
6. Each time you stop filling, GLANCE at the tube (you're holding it at waist high). Then look away. If you aren't sure, glance again; look away again.
DON'T stare at it, or you will think you see it. Either Kim described it or someone told her that: it's like glancing a pretty girl, but you don't want her to know you're checking her out! (c'mon Jim, I know you know how to do that! Lol!!)
7. I don't think it's necessary, but I still always pour it back into the bottle, shake , and test again in the cylinder. Just to confirm and make myself feel better. And if the 2 runs are different? I pick one and move on! and smh.....

Sorry this makes it seem more difficult than it really is. It's just more subjective than the other tests.

pH: 7.5 I probably wouldn't have added acid. It's already in the range of 7.4-7.6. Unless you're seeing something I'm not. Sometimes the pH will find it's own happy spot.

FC: 4 good

CC: 0 good

CH: 300 good (range is 200-300)

TA: 90 leave it alone. It's in the range (80-120). You've got some time, but when you switch to the swg system, the range will drop top 60-80. I'd kind of see where your TA wants to go.

CYA: already discussed

CSI: .03 looks good to me

Let me know if you have any questions!!!

 

[jimim]

Suz,

i did the test inside. In our kitchen. So that prob messed me up? I'll do it tomorrow during the day. all ur pointers were great. Do you shake the whole time? Saw online people shaking it the 30 seconds. I didn't realize I could pour and repeat with this test. I like that comment about a quick glance and look away. You mean you can't just stare till you are pretty much in creeper mode. Lol

i added acid cause I know by morning if I don't I'll tip out at 7.8-8.0. Only reason why.

ch. it can go up to 400. 200-400 is thier range.

checked pool math. I'm right 83 by vol 5 lb by weight

 

[SuzfromTexas]

Here are some quotes from TFP experts and pool owners on when to swim..... maybe these will convince your wife to shorten the wait time.....

from JasonLion 12-18-14
You must be able to see the bottom of the pool clearly. The PH and FC levels need to be in range. And you should wait long enough that the plaster sets up enough so you won't damage it if you hit it sharply (which varies quite a bit from pool to pool, though is typically several hours as an absolute minimum).

Thread: From plaster to swim... how long?
from jblizzle 8-21-15
Ignoring the chemistry, the plaster should be fine by the time it is filled.
But, depending on how they start it up (ideally but rarely a bi-carb start-up) ... usually acid start up, you may need to wait for the pH to be reasonable.
Plus you want to be sure the plaster dust is filtered out.

from pooldv 8-21-15
We were in the pool before it was full and had a big ol pool party the following weekend.

from Sunbaby 8-21-15
My PB told me that once the water hits the tile line to jump in, unless I was scared of my own bathwater They started the pumps the next day, did chems a couple days later. We swam the entire time.

from Spool 8-22-15
Check our build pics. Our PB said it was ok to be in as it was filling. Have plenty of pics of or kids standing under the water truck hose!


I know I've read other more scientific notes about it being ok to swim very soon after the plaster is in, but they are buried in threads with different titles than swimming times.

As JasonLion said above, the real concern is if the water is cloudy or been stagnant for a few days and risk of algae and other cooties.

 

[SuzfromTexas]

Suz,

i did the test inside. In our kitchen. So that prob messed me up? I'll do it tomorrow during the day. all ur pointers were great. Do you shake the whole time? Saw online people shaking it the 30 seconds. I didn't realize I could pour and repeat with this test. I like that comment about a quick glance and look away. You mean you can't just stare till you are pretty much in creeper mode. Lol

i added acid cause I know by morning if I don't I'll tip out at 7.8-8.0. Only reason why.

ch. it can go up to 400. 200-400 is thier range.

checked pool math. I'm right 83 by vol 5 lb by weight

Don't worry about testing inside. Just do it outside, but I'd wait until Friday to give the CYA one more day to show up (unless you're super curious....) I know the instructions say to wait 30 seconds after the first shake. I've also tried shaking it 30 seconds, but I don't think it made any difference. Then again, I probably shake it close to 30 seconds anyway. Hahaha! Don't go into creeper mode with the Dot!!

Ok on adding the acid! You're the one there. You're the one really knowing best what is going on. You're doing great!!!

CH - yep, my mistake. I see on my own notes it's up to 400. Good catch (I was just testing you, right?!!!)

Pool Math: good job double checking.

Keep up the great work!!!

Suz

 

[bdavis466]

There is nothing you can do "swimming" in the pool that will harm the plaster at this point. Within the first 24 hours the plaster has exceeded 80% of it's rated compressive strength. The curing cycle of cement is logarithmic since it gains strength very quickly initially and then drastically slows down as time passes.



(5N/mm2= ~725 PSI)

Remember that when the plaster was initially applied it was in a liquid state that progressed to being walkable within the short time that the plasterers were in the pool. After 24-48 hours any additional "curing" of the plaster is is going to be minimal in comparison to the strength it had already achieved. What the plaster does gain in the first 28 days has more to do with longevity of the surface, not so much it's strength and even that isn't effected by swimming but moreso by water chemistry. That's the premise behind the bicarbonate startup and why it has been so successful in producing long lasting pool surfaces.