new plaster acid start up

[haroldo]

I have been reading up on pool care on this site for weeks now, and this is the first time I run into something like this elsewhere:

Is this a thing? is the start up of new plaster really this complicated? no equipment can run for a month, no swimming for even longer. heavy doses with acid to extremely low pH (down to zero alkalinity), etc? This seems way over my head now, wondering if I have to hire a professional to start up the pool like this? Do we have info on this process on this site?

 

[ajw22]

You did not find that ten year old video on THIS site.

We recommend you follow the best start-up guide for the finish you are installing.

Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[haroldo]

You did not find that ten year old video on THIS site.

no, I did not. Sorry for the confusion (fixed the wording there), and thanks for the pointers

 

[haroldo]

You did not find that ten year old video on THIS site.

We recommend you follow the best start-up guide for the finish you are installing.

Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Plaster Installation and Maintenance - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks Aj, very helpful

I read the materials. So, I was originally worried about the quality of my fill water given high TA, but after reading this stuff, I think its my fill water might actually be perfect for start up, no? The second article you linked included tests for 4 different start up methods, the best one (least loss of cacium) seems to be the bicarb one, which calls for slightly positive CSI and high TA (as high as 300ppm I believe). When I plug my water test numbers in, I get 0.64 CSI with guesstimated water temp of 60F. This sounds just perfect according to what I am reading. Am I understanding this correctly?

 

[ajw22]

I read the materials. So, I was originally worried about the quality of my fill water given high TA, but after reading this stuff, I think its my fill water might actually be perfect for start up, no? The second article you linked included tests for 4 different start up methods, the best one (least loss of cacium) seems to be the bicarb one, which calls for slightly positive CSI and high TA (as high as 300ppm I believe). When I plug my water test numbers in, I get 0.64 CSI with guesstimated water temp of 60F. This sounds just perfect according to what I am reading. Am I understanding this correctly?

Yes, @onBalance developed the Bicarb startup.

 

[onBalance]

It sounds like your tap or fill water already has a high TA which is beneficial for a new plaster startup program.
If you would post the pH, alkalinity, and calcium level of the water that will be used to fill your new plaster pool, I can give you some guidance if you are interested.

 

[haroldo]

It sounds like your tap or fill water already has a high TA which is beneficial for a new plaster startup program.
If you would post the pH, alkalinity, and calcium level of the water that will be used to fill your new plaster pool, I can give you some guidance if you are interested.

thanks @onBalance , yes I would be very interested in any guidance here. Here are the numbers for my fill water:

Free Cl 1.8 ppm
Combined Cl 0.4 ppm
TA 250 ppm
pH 7.8
CH 270 ppm
CYA 0
Salt 400 ppm

 

[onBalance]

Yes, you have understood that your fill water is perfect for new plaster (cement based) pools, therefore, there is not much more advice I can help you with. There is no need to make any adjustments to the fill water while filling the new pool. And let me say that performing an acid startup instead would be the worst thing to do for your pool.
If this water is from a well, I suggest you test for iron content.
What plaster finish are you choosing to do?

 

[haroldo]

Yes, you have understood that your fill water is perfect for new plaster (cement based) pools, therefore, there is not much more advice I can help you with. There is no need to make any adjustments to the fill water while filling the new pool. And let me say that performing an acid startup instead would be the worst thing to do for your pool.
If this water is from a well, I suggest you test for iron content.
What plaster finish are you choosing to do?

Thanks for the insight there. The water is city water. I was able to obtain last year's quality report, which confirm TA levels (avg 260 ppm):
https://www.amwater.com/caaw/resources/PDF/CCR-reports/hiddenhills_2024.pdf

I don't have any red / brown staining in our fixtures, so I don't think we have an iron issue, but haven't tested either.

The plaster finish is this Pebble Plus Beach Series - Cabo finish:

Pebble Plus Beach Series | Pebble Plus

pebbleplus.com

Our builder will do an acid wash before we fill. This is ok, I suppose?

 

[onBalance]

Yes, if you aren't having any yellow/brown staining in your home, than I agree that there shouldn't be an iron problem.
Pebble finishes require some type of water washing (some with acid) to expose the pebble aggregate. It is what it is.
Once the pool is full, simply keep the pH below 8.0, and brush the pool often for the first month.
All should go well for your pool.