New Pool Finished Thursday!

[MooneyFWD]

First, thank for all of those who post regularly. I haven't had to post any questions of my own because the answers are already here on TFP.

Our build began Aug 1st, the pool was filled Monday after Sunday's Mini Pebble, and the final equipment connections were made Thursday.

My initial water tests after the pool builder poured some bleach and stabilizer 10/28:

FC - 4.5
CC - 0.0
pH - 7.2
TA - 90
CH - 80
CYA - 90
Temp - 74
CSI - -1.08

10lbs of Calcium Chloride and 1/2 gallon of 10% bleach were added in the evening.

My tests this morning:

FC - 5.5
CC - 0.0
pH - 7.2
TA - 100
CH - 100
CYA - 90
Temp - 71
CSI - -0.96

According to Pool Math, I expected the 1/2 gallon of bleach to increase my FC to around 7-7.5, but maybe I'm still dialing in my pool size? I wasn't able to get a meter reading before the fill, but the pool is about 20x25, 3.5ft - 6ft. It's my understanding I need to get my CH higher eventually, but how am I looking and what should I do?

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum! :handshake:

I am surprised your fill water is that low in CH. But since it is, get your CH to 200-250 as soon as you can. Keep your pH a bit higher and that will moderate the CSI.

Really dumped in the CYA. As you will not be using your SWCG until spring, most likely, you need to follow the non-SWCG [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA]. That means really high FC (target 10-12). You will need to be careful as your pH test is not valid with FC at 10 ppm or above.

I suggest you read Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Trouble Free Pool School book.

 

[MooneyFWD]

Thank you so much for the reply mknauss. I always appreciate reading your posts. So from here, I'll need to raise my FC by adding some more bleach this evening, but try to keep it just under 10 in order to keep valid pH tests.

Am I stuck draining water in order to get my CYA down?

 

[mknauss]

It will be the only way to reduce the CYA quickly -- or ---

You can manage it. If you see a large rain storm coming drain off a couple inches each time and you can work it down instead of draining.

Why did they add so much??

 

[MooneyFWD]

Who knows? They did it while I was at work. I'd like to start off right... maybe I'll hold off for a bit. 90 isn't too far off for SWG according to Pool Math. Would it be ok to just keep an eye on it with higher FC for the next 30 days until I can use my SWG?

Edit: Truthfully, the CYA test WAS between 80 and 90 and it wasn't sunny at all...

 

[mknauss]

As I said, you can hold off and just manage the high CYA.

I doubt your SWCG will be able to run in a month. Your pool water will be too cold. Most SWCG's stop generating when the water temperature drops below 60F.

 

[MooneyFWD]

Thank you for your help. It doesn't get too cold here in Long Beach, so I'll have to see how low my water temp goes. Thanks again!

 

[MooneyFWD]

Following up with this morning's test results.

FC - 9.5
pH - 7.8
TA - 100
CH - 225
CYA - 70
CSI - -0.01
Temp - 70

I was able to take a more accurate CYA test reading yesterday after work with the sun out so that accounts for the lower CYA.

 

[an1vrsy]

@MooneyFWD, although you’re 35 miles north of where I’m at, from past experience our pool water temperature does drop into the mid to high 50 degrees.