New pool owner

[splashpad]

What about using a calcium hardness reducer?

There is a "debate" (looks over shoulder) It doesn't remove the calcium from the water, it simply "binds" it, but that binding agent gets broken down by chlorine, so it's not super useful.
And since you have a gunite/plaster pool, you do want calcium in the water

 

[McClain14]

This may be a silly question but Should I vacuum my pool if there is algae growth?

 

[mknauss]

This may be a silly question but Should I vacuum my pool if there is algae growth?

Yes. But it does not do much until you are in the SLAM unless you are vacuuming to waste, which you cannot do.

If your CYA is 70 you can go ahead and SLAM. It will take more liquid chlorine to start, but not much more to maintain. The biggest issue is the use of your testing reagents. Be sure you are well stocked with R0870 and R0871. Also, during the SLAM only, you can use a 5 ml sample of water, one scoop of powder, and then each drop of reagent to clear is 1 ppm FC.

 

[McClain14]

Yes. But it does not do much until you are in the SLAM unless you are vacuuming to waste, which you cannot do.

If your CYA is 70 you can go ahead and SLAM. It will take more liquid chlorine to start, but not much more to maintain. The biggest issue is the use of your testing reagents. Be sure you are well stocked with R0870 and R0871. Also, during the SLAM only, you can use a 5 ml sample of water, one scoop of powder, and then each drop of reagent to clear is 1 ppm FC.

Okay so before I begin to SLAM the pool I need to bring my pH level down. I have tested and put my numbers into the pool math app. It says I need 3 quarts of muriatic acid. how should I dispense the acid. Would it be best to pour it into the skimmer or just directly into the pool? How long should I wait before retesting the pH?

 

[splashpad]

Okay so before I begin to SLAM the pool I need to bring my pH level down. I have tested and put my numbers into the pool math app. It says I need 3 quarts of muriatic acid. how should I dispense the acid. Would it be best to pour it into the skimmer or just directly into the pool? How long should I wait before retesting the pH?

Can you share your full set of test results?
Muriatic Acid is always added poolside, pour slowly from measuring cup in front of the return (with pump running), wait 30min and retest
Always start with 1/2 or 1/3 dose, to make sure you don't overshoot

 

[McClain14]

Can you share your full set of test results?
Muriatic Acid is always added poolside, pour slowly from measuring cup in front of the return (with pump running), wait 30min and retest
Always start with 1/2 or 1/3 dose, to make sure you don't overshoot

FC test 0.4, CC test 0.6, TA 110, CH 510, CYA 70, pH was above 8.0 but didn't seem to be by much so I used 9.0 in my pool math app

 

[splashpad]

FC test 0.4, CC test 0.6, TA 110, CH 510, CYA 70,

You are going to have some fun when you starting raising that FC

pH was above 8.0 but didn't seem to be by much so I used 9.0 in my pool math app

For the PH always adjust in small doses, so Now/8.0 Goal/7.4 ... so add 1QT of 31% Muriatic Acid, you do not want to drop out your PH

 

[McClain14]

You are going to have some fun when you starting raising that FC

For the PH always adjust in small doses, so Now/8.0 Goal/7.4 ... so add 1QT of 31% Muriatic Acid, you do not want to drop out your PH

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY FUN LOL?!?!? According to the pool math, with a FC of 0.4 and a target of 28 it says that I should add 7 gallons. In pool school it says to test once an hour. Should I be testing more often than that?

I know I am not ready to add liquid chlorine yet but when I do, where it is added to the pool? poolside or through skimmer?

 

[McClain14]

Also do you have a general idea of how many gallons of liquid chlorine I should have on hand for the SLAM process (I currently have 15 gallons) and will a new 10g bottle of R-0870 and a new 22ml bottle of R-0871 be enough?

 

[McClain14]

Also some one asked for a picture of our pool. Here is a picture of the pool last summer!

 

[McClain14]

I apologize for all the questions but I am so grateful for everyones help!!!

 

[splashpad]

Gorgeous pool!!

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY FUN LOL?!?!? According to the pool math, with a FC of 0.4 and a target of 28 it says that I should add 7 gallons. In pool school it says to test once an hour. Should I be testing more often than that?

Yes I do have skewed sense of humor
We recommend checking 15-30min after adding , if the FC is "holding, then you can start spreading out how often you test, the more frequently you raise it oyour CYA shock level, the faster the SLAM Process goes. If you overshoot, adjust the pool OR strength %
For Reference FC/CYA Levels (CYA/70 = shock FC/28)

I know I am not ready to add liquid chlorine yet but when I do, where it is added to the pool? poolside or through skimmer?

(with pump running, poolside in front of return (water coming into pool)

Also do you have a general idea of how many gallons of liquid chlorine I should have on hand for the SLAM process (I currently have 15 gallons) and will a new 10g bottle of R-0870 and a new 22ml bottle of R-0871 be enough?

This is hard to estimate, until we see how your pool trends w/treatment
No that will not be enough testing reagents, you can get a .25lb R-0870-J and a 16oz/32oz R-0871 (F & J I believe)

I apologize for all the questions but I am so grateful for everyones help!!!

No apologies needed! Better to understand and get it right the first time!

 

[McClain14]

What are the benefits of using an algaecide?

 

[mknauss]

What are the benefits of using an algaecide?

None, except certain cases when winterizing a pool.
Read Non-Recommended Pool Chemicals - Trouble Free Pool

 

[McClain14]

Alright so I started the SLAM process. Will do first FC test after 30 minutes but is it normal for the pool to be foaming just a bit. It is only in the hot tub part and it isn't a whole lot. I used HDX liquid chlorine from Home Depot. it is 10% Sodium Hypochlorite

 

[McClain14]

so somehow I brought the FC up to 38 instead of 28.....what now?!?!

 

[mknauss]

Wait a bit, It will drop.