New pool owner trying to understand test strip reading

[ajw22]

and all had this expiration. 062. Does that mean like March 1 ish…?

The chlorine was bottled around March 3, 2025. Fresh stuff.

 

[Pas_pool]

The chlorine was bottled around March 3, 2025. Fresh stuff.

Okay good. I do know how to read them haha

 

[Pas_pool]

Who can provide me with the correct gallons for my pool? Here is the diagram. PB says it’s 22,800. But pool math is not adding up when I added chemicals. Thanks.

 

[PoolStored]

As I said, use 25K.

I get 23K not including the shelf. Start with the 25K I suggested and use chemicals to adjust volume from there.

	Length		Width
	Feet	Inches	Feet	Inches	Length	Width	Depth	Cubic Inches	Gallons
Top Volume	37​	0​	18​	0​	444​	216​	39​	3,740,256.00	16,191.58
4 corners		48​		48​			36​	-165888​	(718.13)
Slope Sides		168​		48​			56​	327936​	1,419.64
Ramp	14​	0​	10​		168​	120​	56​	564480​	2,443.64
Deep Sides	4​		4​		48​	48​	56​	129024​	558.55
Center Mass	10​		6​		120​	72​	56​	483840​	2,094.55
End Ramp	10​		4​		120​	48​	56​	239211.5​	1,035.55
Corners									-80​
									22,945.37

 

[Pas_pool]

As I said, use 25K.

I get 23K not including the shelf. Start with the 25K I suggested and use chemicals to adjust volume from there.

	Length		Width
	Feet	Inches	Feet	Inches	Length	Width	Depth	Cubic Inches	Gallons
Top Volume	37​	0​	18​	0​	444​	216​	39​	3,740,256.00	16,191.58
4 corners		48​		48​			36​	-165888​	(718.13)
Slope Sides		168​		48​			56​	327936​	1,419.64
Ramp	14​	0​	10​		168​	120​	56​	564480​	2,443.64
Deep Sides	4​		4​		48​	48​	56​	129024​	558.55
Center Mass	10​		6​		120​	72​	56​	483840​	2,094.55
End Ramp	10​		4​		120​	48​	56​	239211.5​	1,035.55
Corners									-80​
									22,945.37

Oh okay. So the PB wasn’t too far off. He probably didn’t take into account the shelf when providing me with the gallons for the pool. I thought maybe with the actually diagram we could figure out the exact amount. Thanks again

 

[Newdude]

I get 23K not including the shelf

The plans are wall height so the PB is probably right and when we subtract 6 inches for water height (about 2500 gallons) its a hair over 20K.

Pas, how is it behaving when you add stuff ? Have you seen said discrepancy with everything or only bleach ? I trust salt / cya / ch / baking soda (etc) alot more because they don't go in weaker than claimed like bleach might.

 

[PoolStored]

Good catch. Updated. Still without the shelf..

	Length		Width
	Feet	Inches	Feet	Inches	Length	Width	Depth	Cubic Inches	Gallons
Top Volume	37​	0​	18​	0​	444​	216​	34​	3,260,736.00	14,115.74
4 corners		48​		48​			34​	-156672​	(678.23)
Slope Sides		168​		48​			56​	327936​	1,419.64
Ramp	14​	0​	10​		168​	120​	56​	564480​	2,443.64
Deep Sides	4​		4​		48​	48​	56​	129024​	558.55
Center Mass	10​		6​		120​	72​	56​	483840​	2,094.55
End Ramp	10​		4​		120​	48​	56​	239211.5​	1,035.55
Corners									-80​
									20,909.42

 

[Pas_pool]

The plans are wall height so the PB is probably right and when we subtract 6 inches for water height (about 2500 gallons) its a hair over 20K.

Pas, how is it behaving when you add stuff ? Have you seen said discrepancy with everything or only bleach ? I trust salt / cya / ch / baking soda (etc) alot more because they don't go in weaker than claimed like bleach might.

I’m spot on 3600 on salt. And I was going off the 22800 number.

As for the one time that tried muriatic acid the amount was supposed to lower pH .4 but only lowered it .2. But it’s back up to 8 last time I checked (but that test is an eye test so not really sure of exact number.

So you are saying put pool math back to 22800?

 

[PoolStored]

Sure, then adjust from there in 250 or 500 gallons after test. Once you are close, move on and forget about it...it doesn't have to be that precise.

 

[Newdude]

+1. Even when you have the pool volume theoritically nailed, it'll bounce. When 2 inches evaporates its down 950 gallons, when you add 2 inches more than dead on to buy more time next time, you gained 1900 gallons from low.

 

[Pas_pool]

Added LC, muriatic acid and stabilizer last night.

I will test a little later today to see what effects the acid and LC had. I know stabilizer will not really show for a couple days.

Appreciate all the help from you guys and this forum making me feel more comfortable taking care of this pool on my own.

 

[Pas_pool]

As I’m new to testing still…what would you all say my pH is at?

 

[Pas_pool]

Here are my results from today (knowing all the stabilizer didn’t dissolve yet). And I thought pH was around 7.6 from above photo, but if you think it is different please let me know.

But I actually saw a result from the cya test! I am at 40. So probably 50 by tomorrow.

My thoughts on next step is add more muriatic acid tonight to get it down to 7.2pH. Thoughts? Anything else?

We might be going in today for the first time as it is in the 80s in CT today and the water is at 69. Haven’t turned the heat pump on yet. We get pretty good sun.

 

[PoolStored]

Redo the pH test. You need to fill to the top thin line, then test.

Just manage your pH, keep it in the 7s, your TA will come down. When you TA gets to 60-80, don't drive down pH. It should be stable around 7.8-8, which is just fine.

 

[Newdude]

'Max' is target range, not for filling.

 

[Pas_pool]

Redo the pH test. You need to fill to the top thin line, then test.

Just manage your pH, keep it in the 7s, your TA will come down. When you TA gets to 60-80, don't drive down pH. It should be stable around 7.8-8, which is just fine.

I’ll redo it now. I was thinking more muriatic acid now since we are probably going in in about an hour and can aerate it a bit

 

[Pas_pool]

Looks to be between 7.5-7.8

 

[Pas_pool]

Looks to be between 7.5-7.8

Okay cool. I’ll throw a little more acid in tonight to bring the pH down a little more

 

[Pas_pool]

Question regarding chemical balancing. (See today’s results attached) my salt level is dropping a little. It’s down to 3200. Optimal level for my SWG is 3600. Will that level off or do I have to keep adding salt?

And I finally have the pH where I want it now so TA should come down now too. I just added a little under 4 pounds of stabilizer to get the CYA up to 70 and that will put the FC in the right spot. Anything else I need to do or am I in the home stretch?

I’m learning quickly thanks to you guys.

 

[Newdude]

Will that level off or do I have to keep adding salt?

Let it be until the cell complains. My IC60 works down to 2800 then produces at a reduced output until shutting off at 2600. If you see your test at 2800, then add a couple hundred to beat it to the punch. But otherwise let it be.

And I finally have the pH where I want it now so TA should come down now too

You have to keep dropping it as it rises above 7.5. Each round will drop the TA a bit. Around 70 TA, switch to maintaining high 7s from 7.8 to 8.2. If you catch it at 8.0, drop it to 7.8

Anything else I need to do or am I in the home stretch?

Looking good.