New Pool Owner

[RNeumann]

HI all. I recently completed a SLAM on the green swamp that came with my house and now I'm just trying to figure out if I need to balance anything out. Here are the latest numbers that I just ran.

FC: 1.4 (where should I keep the FC level? I'm only used to dumping massive amounts of chlorine in it up to this point, so trying to figure out how much I should be adding daily/weekly.)

CC: .2 (should there be any CC chlorine in a clean pool? It recently passed an OCLT and is currently sparkling clear.)

pH: 7.0 (this seems a tad low from what I'm reading but I've never adjusted it so wanted to check in with the experts before I did.)

TA: 30 (not sure if this applies because of vinly.)

CH: 50 (I'm also not really sure of the significance of this number either.)

 

[Oly]

You will need to test for CYA Cyanuric Acid to determine your target FC level. Also you can use the 10ml FC test to save reagent, see the instructions under the lid of the kit.
CC of .2 is not an issue and the sun will take that down in no time.
Raising the TA will help stabilize your pH.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Hiya! If you've not read this yet, now is the time!! --> ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry - Trouble Free Pool

Here is the listing of recommended levels-

What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?

Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.

www.troublefreepool.com

As Oly mentioned, your CYA level is missing, which dictates how high your FC needs to be to avoid algae. Here is the reference for that--> Chlorine / CYA Chart - Trouble Free Pool

Maddie

 

[RNeumann]

Hiya! If you've not read this yet, now is the time!! --> ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry - Trouble Free Pool

Here is the listing of recommended levels-

What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?

Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.

www.troublefreepool.com

As Oly mentioned, your CYA level is missing, which dictates how high your FC needs to be to avoid algae. Here is the reference for that--> Chlorine / CYA Chart - Trouble Free Pool

Maddie

I knew I would forget something! I'm currently out of CYA testing reagent, but my most recent test which was a few weeks ago was 45, which means I should be rounding up to 50 right? From the looks of that chart I should maintain a minimum FC of 4 and would be better off between 6-8.

That seems like a pretty good amount of chlorine I'll have to keep in the pool, is liquid still the best recommended chlorine to use for general maintaining purposes?

Oly, I'm reading I need to use baking soda to raise the TA, is that right? What is a recommended level for that and do I just add it to the pool in a similar fashion that I add chlorine?

Thanks!

 

[Oly]

CYA reagent is inexpensive and will last well if properly stored so I bought a pint bottle and refill my small bottles.
Understand your daily FC loss is the same as long as you stay in your target range so while it will take more liquid chlorine to get in your zone your daily additions and FC loss is the same if your CYA was lower.
Yes sodium bicarbonate will raise your TA use Pool Math to find how much you need to add then do it in stages to avoid the yo-yo effect.
My fill water TA is 160ppm and drives my pH up so I push my pH down with Muratic Acid and over time my TA dropped and pH stabilizes at 7.8 and my TA to about 70ppm. You will have to find your pools balance.
Put your numbers in Pool Math and play around with it to understand how it all interacts. Pay attention also to the CSI calculation, not so important with a vinyl pool but will help you balance your water.
Have fun.