New Pool Almost Complete- Where to Start?

[MikeyC]

So we may be less than a week from having our pool completed and filled with water. I have my TF-100 Test Kit ready for action but am not sure where to start exactly. The pool builder says I just need to start with 8 bags (50#) of pool salt. I am sure by reading here I need much more than just the salt. right? Should I just start with the salt then test the next day and go from there? Want to get this thing setup as fast as possible as my kids are dying to get in! appreciate all the help!

FYI- I am going to buy the salt tomorrow. Think I should also pick ups some CYA as well?

 

[ajw22]

Use PoolMath to determine how much salt and CYA you need.

Do not get Clorox Pool Salt. Many reports of it containing minerals and staining pools. I like Mortons Pool Salt from Walmart.

Do you have a salt test kit like K-1766 Taylor Salt Test or Salt Test Strips - Aqua Chek

Add 2/3 of the salt and CYA you think you need and retest. It is easy to add more to get to your target. If you have your pool size wrong or amounts wrong and add too much you will end up needing to drain. So sneak up towards your targets.

Pickup a few gallons of scentless bleach. Not Cloromax! Use it to raise your initial FC level and let your SWG take it from there. Have a bit of bleach available in case you have initial problems with your FC level. Use [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA]

I assume you have read Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and Trouble Free Pool School and Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals and Pool School - Recommended Levels

Good luck and enjoy your swimming!

 

[Texas Splash]

Use the PoolMath tool to help determine amounts for any product. Remember that new water has no stabilizer (CYA) and very little chlorine. So until your SWG starts producing chlorine consistently, have some regular bleach ready to maintain the FC level as noted on the [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA]. For salt pools, we recommend a minimum CYA of 70, so you can get that going right away as well. Your next priority will be pH to ensure it's kept in the mid-7 range. If your TA is high, that can be lowered later. We'll help you with that once everything else is good. CH doesn't really apply to your pool type.

Stick close to those Vital Links below in my signature and you'll be fine. Enjoy your new pool.

Adding CYA:
To increase CYA via granular stabilizer, place the required amount as calculated by the Poolmath calculator into a white sock and place in the poolside skimmer basket. For those concerned about suction flow to the pump, suspending the sock near a return jet or from a floating device will also suffice. Best never to allow undissolved granules to rest directly against the pool surface. Squeeze the sock periodically to help it dissipate. Once dissolved, consider your CYA adjusted to that programmed (target) level. CYA test readings should show a rise in 24-48 hours, however some pools may experience a longer delay to fully register. Best to confirm final CYA in about 5-7 days before adding any more stabilizer/conditioner.

 

[MikeyC]

Appreciate the advice! Will post my test results once I get it going!

 

[MikeyC]

So here is where we are at.... The pool was completed (mostly) on Sunday and we filled it with water. Unfortunately, they did not get the pump and SWG installed until today. So yesterday I put some stabilizer (CYA) and bleach in the pool because there was no chlorine at all in it when I tested it. The pumps are running today and the SWG is also running. I have not put any salt in the pool yet as I am not sure how that effects the chlorine level. I do not want it going too high, right?

Well anyway, here are the results from today's test:

FC = 3.5
TC = Hard to tell but appears to be 5-6
CYA = about 70-80
PH = 6.8 (dropped from yesterday for some reason)
Alk =about 140

Also, the SWG is reading 2,800. IS this really the salt level? I was told to get the salt level to 3,500. I tried a salt test (Strips) with no luck as I could not see any reading on the test strip.

Any advice? Should I get the salt in the water ASAP?

Much Appreciated, Mike

 

[ajw22]

Turn off the SWG, add salt, brush the salt around until it dissolves, wait 24 hours, and turn on the SWG.

K-1766 Taylor Salt Test is a better test then the strips.