New to a baqu conversion
- Thread starter justmarried1220
- Start date
- Jul 8, 2009
- 92
Okay so here is an update,
Topped up to 15 yesterday at 5:30 or so, when I got home at midnight I checked and got 13.5 FC and a CC of 1.5 I didn't add any more bleach b/c it was so late....got up at 7am and checked FC was down to 12.5 and CC was 1.5. I guess that is good that I only lost 1ppm from 5:30pm to 7am this morning. My question is I guess I passed the over night test right? Now how do I get my CC's down? Last night is was in the low 60's again and it is sunny today but not like the usually summer sun should be.
Do I need to keep shocking and keep my levels to 15 until the cc come down?
No sure and need help?
Also is this a good point to restest my TA and PH? along with my Calcium?
Also I need help testing for CYA...please remember that on the first day of our conversion before we found this website the pool place had us put in 1 gallong of liquid stablizer, we have done a lot of backwashing and topping of with fresh water so I need to know if I should test for it as well? I did test for it last week and never had the black dot disappear in the tub, but not sure if I even did teh test right since I was a real newbie to this all.
Topped up to 15 yesterday at 5:30 or so, when I got home at midnight I checked and got 13.5 FC and a CC of 1.5 I didn't add any more bleach b/c it was so late....got up at 7am and checked FC was down to 12.5 and CC was 1.5. I guess that is good that I only lost 1ppm from 5:30pm to 7am this morning. My question is I guess I passed the over night test right? Now how do I get my CC's down? Last night is was in the low 60's again and it is sunny today but not like the usually summer sun should be.
Do I need to keep shocking and keep my levels to 15 until the cc come down?
No sure and need help?
Also is this a good point to restest my TA and PH? along with my Calcium?
Also I need help testing for CYA...please remember that on the first day of our conversion before we found this website the pool place had us put in 1 gallong of liquid stablizer, we have done a lot of backwashing and topping of with fresh water so I need to know if I should test for it as well? I did test for it last week and never had the black dot disappear in the tub, but not sure if I even did teh test right since I was a real newbie to this all.
Great! 
You have passed an important milestone.
Now you should replace your filter media and then add CYA up to between 30 and 40. After you do that, you want to continue with FC around 20 until the CC level is 0.5 or lower for two days in a row.
Based on your test results, I think the CYA level is currently just a little below 20. That makes sense given what you added and the water replacement you have done. I would add enough CYA to raise the level by about 25.
You have passed an important milestone.Now you should replace your filter media and then add CYA up to between 30 and 40. After you do that, you want to continue with FC around 20 until the CC level is 0.5 or lower for two days in a row.
Based on your test results, I think the CYA level is currently just a little below 20. That makes sense given what you added and the water replacement you have done. I would add enough CYA to raise the level by about 25.
- Jul 8, 2009
- 92
Okay here are some more questions and as always results.
At 12:30pm today I added 119oz to get my FC back up to 15.
At 6:30pm I checked my levels and here they are-
FC 7
CC 1
Question- Should I go ahead and top up to 15 for tonight?
I also went ahead and did the following results-
TA 110
PH 7.4
CH 260 the water went blue at 26 drops but still had pink flecks floating in the blue water (not sure if I did this one right? I know I was fussed at for doing it earlier in the coversion, but just need to know if I did it right and if the results sound right?
CYA- 20 ( this was hard for me to do, I just wanted to see how the test worked and what I would get. I mixed everything and put into the tube with the black dot. At 20 the water in the tube looked cloudy and the date was still visable but hard to see. SO my questions are should I go with this amount of CYA 20 to figure how much more CYA to add? and does it sould like I did it right?
Questions Continued-
1. Do I need to go ahead and top up to 15 tonight? I will be going to the pool store tomorrow to get sand and CYA?
2. How does my TA and PH look, do I need to adjust it?
3. How do I know how much sand I will need to replace in my Doughboy filter?
At 12:30pm today I added 119oz to get my FC back up to 15.
At 6:30pm I checked my levels and here they are-
FC 7
CC 1
Question- Should I go ahead and top up to 15 for tonight?
I also went ahead and did the following results-
TA 110
PH 7.4
CH 260 the water went blue at 26 drops but still had pink flecks floating in the blue water (not sure if I did this one right? I know I was fussed at for doing it earlier in the coversion, but just need to know if I did it right and if the results sound right?
CYA- 20 ( this was hard for me to do, I just wanted to see how the test worked and what I would get. I mixed everything and put into the tube with the black dot. At 20 the water in the tube looked cloudy and the date was still visable but hard to see. SO my questions are should I go with this amount of CYA 20 to figure how much more CYA to add? and does it sould like I did it right?
Questions Continued-
1. Do I need to go ahead and top up to 15 tonight? I will be going to the pool store tomorrow to get sand and CYA?
2. How does my TA and PH look, do I need to adjust it?
3. How do I know how much sand I will need to replace in my Doughboy filter?
I would shoot to raise the CYA by 20ppm to play it safe, so enter 20 for your now, and 40 for your target.
PH and TA are great.
Not sure about the sand. Do you have your filter manual/info?
Raise it up to 15 again since the CC is still at 1.
PH and TA are great.
Not sure about the sand. Do you have your filter manual/info?
Raise it up to 15 again since the CC is still at 1.
- Jul 8, 2009
- 92
Okay so I just topped up for the night...it just got done raining again...read that my filter needs 225 Pounds of #20 pool sand...any idea how much that might cost. ?
- Jul 8, 2009
- 92
OK so here is another update-
Haven't tested since 6:30 last night when I topped up to 15 again.
It is 11:30am est and I just tested
FC 10.5
CC 1
I think I am getting close with the cc.
My husband is brining home Filter sand (it stated on our filter that we needed 225 pounds of #20 pool sand) he is also bringing home some CYA not sure what he will get as I told him granular but he might end up with liquid, hope it doesn't matter to much.
Anyways here are some more lovely questions for you wonderful experts.... :lol:
1.Since I am waiting on the sand and CYA should I go ahead and raise the FC to 15 right now..?
2.How do we change the sand in the filter? we don't have the directions (it's a Doughboy)
3.Do we need to rinse the sand before we put it in the filter?
3. Once we put the new sand in the filter do we need to backwash do anything special to it???? (this part concerns me b/c we have never done it and really don' t want to screw it up since we just got the pool sparkling) HELP!
Okay so here is the long part....
4.As for adding the CYA should I go ahead and put a CYA of 20 in the pool calculator?
5.If I put 20 in as my Current and left 40 as my goal or should I make my goal 45 since it is mentioned above to raise by about 25?
6.Should I shock one more time before I add the CYA and get it up to 15? and if so how long after should I wait before adding the CYA?
7. Once I have the new sand and CYA in I am assuming FC will just drop on their own and my recommended ranges are from 3-7 ppm?
8. Once we get the CYA in and the CC is .5 or less can we swim even though we are waiting for the FC to drop?
9. If we need to cover the pool with our solar cover is this okay to do?
10. Last question..I swear (for now anyways) :lol: How often do I need to test and what do I need to be testing, is it everyday, once a week, not sure on that?
I can't thank you guys enough...
Haven't tested since 6:30 last night when I topped up to 15 again.
It is 11:30am est and I just tested
FC 10.5
CC 1
I think I am getting close with the cc.
My husband is brining home Filter sand (it stated on our filter that we needed 225 pounds of #20 pool sand) he is also bringing home some CYA not sure what he will get as I told him granular but he might end up with liquid, hope it doesn't matter to much.
Anyways here are some more lovely questions for you wonderful experts.... :lol:
1.Since I am waiting on the sand and CYA should I go ahead and raise the FC to 15 right now..?
2.How do we change the sand in the filter? we don't have the directions (it's a Doughboy)
3.Do we need to rinse the sand before we put it in the filter?
3. Once we put the new sand in the filter do we need to backwash do anything special to it???? (this part concerns me b/c we have never done it and really don' t want to screw it up since we just got the pool sparkling) HELP!
JasonLion said:Great!
Now you should replace your filter media and then add CYA up to between 30 and 40. After you do that, you want to continue with FC around 20 until the CC level is 0.5 or lower for two days in a row.
Based on your test results, I think the CYA level is currently just a little below 20. That makes sense given what you added and the water replacement you have done. I would add enough CYA to raise the level by about 25.
Okay so here is the long part....
4.As for adding the CYA should I go ahead and put a CYA of 20 in the pool calculator?
5.If I put 20 in as my Current and left 40 as my goal or should I make my goal 45 since it is mentioned above to raise by about 25?
6.Should I shock one more time before I add the CYA and get it up to 15? and if so how long after should I wait before adding the CYA?
7. Once I have the new sand and CYA in I am assuming FC will just drop on their own and my recommended ranges are from 3-7 ppm?
8. Once we get the CYA in and the CC is .5 or less can we swim even though we are waiting for the FC to drop?
9. If we need to cover the pool with our solar cover is this okay to do?
10. Last question..I swear (for now anyways) :lol: How often do I need to test and what do I need to be testing, is it everyday, once a week, not sure on that?
I can't thank you guys enough...
1. Yes
2. Not sure - will leave that for those "in the know"
3. I think you are supposed to backwash and rinse for several minutes before setting it to filter? Ditto above, not sure...
4. Yes, liquid CYA is an unneccessary expense - just use granular, much cheaper.
5. 40 is good for now, you can always raise it later.
6. If the FC holds overnight, you change out the sand, then add the CYA (via sock method).
7. FC holds; sand changed; CYA added; FC maintained at 15 until CC is .5 or less for two consecutive nights.
8. Yes.
9. Once the CC is down, yes. Sunlight helps break down CC so you don't want to keep it covered when you have CC's.
10. Basic Pool Care Schedule.
2. Not sure - will leave that for those "in the know"
3. I think you are supposed to backwash and rinse for several minutes before setting it to filter? Ditto above, not sure...
4. Yes, liquid CYA is an unneccessary expense - just use granular, much cheaper.
5. 40 is good for now, you can always raise it later.
6. If the FC holds overnight, you change out the sand, then add the CYA (via sock method).
7. FC holds; sand changed; CYA added; FC maintained at 15 until CC is .5 or less for two consecutive nights.
8. Yes.
9. Once the CC is down, yes. Sunlight helps break down CC so you don't want to keep it covered when you have CC's.
10. Basic Pool Care Schedule.
- Jul 8, 2009
- 92
Thanks Frustratedpoolmom for the quick reply I just need one clarification
FC did hold over night so I am ready for the sand and CYA, however since I am waiting on the CYA and sand to arrive around 5pm today should I maintain FC at 15? until it arrives?
And once I get the sand changed etc and the filter back up and running I will go ahead and add the CYA, however do I need to have my FC back up to 15 before I add it? or can I just add it?
FC did hold over night so I am ready for the sand and CYA, however since I am waiting on the CYA and sand to arrive around 5pm today should I maintain FC at 15? until it arrives?
And once I get the sand changed etc and the filter back up and running I will go ahead and add the CYA, however do I need to have my FC back up to 15 before I add it? or can I just add it?
Just add it, it doesn't matter what the FC is before you do. Tonight, bump the FC back up to 15.
- Jul 8, 2009
- 92
Update
Just got the new filter sand and I am fixing to clean out the dirty sand and put the new bags in. Any tips or advice on how to do this. I did find my owners manual online to my doughboy filter just tells how to add "new" sand for initial start up will these directions work?
Also husband just showed me the stabilizer he bought...it is Poollife brand says Stabilizer and Conditioner 96% Cyanuric Acid 4% Other, hope this is okay. It is granular. The directions on the bottle say to turn on pump add dose slowly to skimmer leave pump on for 48 hours with NO backwashing, should I do it this way or just put my dose in a white tube sock and tie infront of the skimmer door?
Also the dosage for this product is for 10,000 of pool water add 2lbs of product to raise to 20 ppm? Should I go with this or use the pool calculater which I have set for 10,400 gallons and it says add 28 oz by weight or 29 oz by volume?
Also the lid for the product has ounces already marked on it to pour into, this might sound dumb, but is that weight ounces or volume ounces...?
I wont add anything till I hear back from ya'll :lol:
Just got the new filter sand and I am fixing to clean out the dirty sand and put the new bags in. Any tips or advice on how to do this. I did find my owners manual online to my doughboy filter just tells how to add "new" sand for initial start up will these directions work?
Also husband just showed me the stabilizer he bought...it is Poollife brand says Stabilizer and Conditioner 96% Cyanuric Acid 4% Other, hope this is okay. It is granular. The directions on the bottle say to turn on pump add dose slowly to skimmer leave pump on for 48 hours with NO backwashing, should I do it this way or just put my dose in a white tube sock and tie infront of the skimmer door?
Also the dosage for this product is for 10,000 of pool water add 2lbs of product to raise to 20 ppm? Should I go with this or use the pool calculater which I have set for 10,400 gallons and it says add 28 oz by weight or 29 oz by volume?
Also the lid for the product has ounces already marked on it to pour into, this might sound dumb, but is that weight ounces or volume ounces...?
I wont add anything till I hear back from ya'll :lol:
Use the calculator for your CYA amount and when you figure out your amount I wouldnt add it all at once just in case you over shoot you goal. You can always add more ..... but to take out CYA your going to need to drain some water from the pool.
Put the CYA in an old pair of knee highs or a sock tie the open end and put it in the skimmer be careful not to block the water flow to the filter. By morning it should be dissolved. It will take a few days for the CYA to show up on your tests but dont test for it for a week and NO BACK WASHING
I measure by weight. A cheap addition to your pool equipment is a small scale for weighting .. we got our at Wal Mart.
Your almost there !! Keep up the good work ... you will be rewarded soon !
Put the CYA in an old pair of knee highs or a sock tie the open end and put it in the skimmer be careful not to block the water flow to the filter. By morning it should be dissolved. It will take a few days for the CYA to show up on your tests but dont test for it for a week and NO BACK WASHING
I measure by weight. A cheap addition to your pool equipment is a small scale for weighting .. we got our at Wal Mart.
Your almost there !! Keep up the good work ... you will be rewarded soon !
If you measure by volume, that just means a measuring cup. Use the sock method, I like in front of the return better. Leave the filter running until it's completely dissolved.
Use the pool calc for dosing, not the bottle instructions.
Use the pool calc for dosing, not the bottle instructions.
- Jul 8, 2009
- 92
Update..added the sand...boy was that fun!
Thanks for the CYA advice..going to add it asap!
Some more fun questions
My CC is at 1 so I topped up FC, hopefully by tomorrow my CC will be down. Once I get the CC to .5 or 0 can I stop shocking? and then do I just let me FC drift down to somewhere between 3-7? what do you recommed as a good range say a 5? if I get close to 3 do I add more chlorine as needed per the calculater?
I feel that we are on our way to a great pool!
THANKS
Thanks for the CYA advice..going to add it asap!
Some more fun questions
My CC is at 1 so I topped up FC, hopefully by tomorrow my CC will be down. Once I get the CC to .5 or 0 can I stop shocking? and then do I just let me FC drift down to somewhere between 3-7? what do you recommed as a good range say a 5? if I get close to 3 do I add more chlorine as needed per the calculater?
I feel that we are on our way to a great pool!
THANKS
justmarried1220 said:Update..added the sand...boy was that fun!
Thanks for the CYA advice..going to add it asap!
Some more fun questions
My CC is at 1 so I topped up FC, hopefully by tomorrow my CC will be down. Once I get the CC to .5 or 0 can I stop shocking? and then do I just let me FC drift down to somewhere between 3-7? what do you recommed as a good range say a 5? if I get close to 3 do I add more chlorine as needed per the calculater?
I feel that we are on our way to a great pool!
THANKS
CC must be .5 or less for two consecutive nights, then you can let the FC drop to "normal"
Refer to the CYA chart. Each nite, you test, add enough FC to reach your "target" and this should keep you above the "min" for the next 24 hours, until you test/add bleach again. So say you "target" 5, and then next night, the FC is 2. Up your Target to 6. The next night you test, your FC is 3. So you stayed above the "min". You know that your pool loses about 3ppm for 24 hours, so 6 can be your target. You can target 7 if you like to give yourself a "cushion". Every pool is different, you need to "get to know it" and what kind of chlorine demand you will have.
Also when having a pool party, etc., increase the FC level by about 2ppm in advance of the party.
- Jul 8, 2009
- 92
Update
6-21
1pm
My FC is 11.5
CC still at 1
Didn't get to add CYA b/c of storm that came through just added though. Just some FYI I am not sure what is up with our weather her in TN, but it has been very rainey and cool the last couple of days. I am hoping when the hot sunny weather the July normally has decides to appear that my CC will go down....our water temp is lik 70 so we wont be swimming for a bit
Will update when we can swim and post pictures.
6-21
1pm
My FC is 11.5
CC still at 1
Didn't get to add CYA b/c of storm that came through just added though. Just some FYI I am not sure what is up with our weather her in TN, but it has been very rainey and cool the last couple of days. I am hoping when the hot sunny weather the July normally has decides to appear that my CC will go down....our water temp is lik 70 so we wont be swimming for a bit
Will update when we can swim and post pictures.
- Jul 8, 2009
- 92
Okay so added the CYA today around noon. The pool calculator said to add 29 oz to get my current CYA of 20 up to 40. I went on the conservative side and only added about 15oz for now..just incase my CYA was off + or - some. According to the calculator adding 15oz of stabilizer will raise my CYA by 11 so that will put me at 31.
I need to know if I put my sock of stabilizer in the right place? i put it right infront of my skimmer opening (the door to the skimmer acutally) is this ok? it is hanging infront of it? or do I need to put it infront of the water jet?
My CC is still at 1ppm, am I doing something wrong? how can I get it down to swim? do I need to be adding more bleach and shocking up to 20?
I need to know if I put my sock of stabilizer in the right place? i put it right infront of my skimmer opening (the door to the skimmer acutally) is this ok? it is hanging infront of it? or do I need to put it infront of the water jet?
My CC is still at 1ppm, am I doing something wrong? how can I get it down to swim? do I need to be adding more bleach and shocking up to 20?
If you are going to hang it in the water, put it in front of the return (the water jet). Otherwise you can put the whole sock in the skimmer basket, actually inside the skimmer. Just make sure it doesn't cover the entire basket so that water can still flow.
Use the chart in the pool school to determine your shock level with the amount of CYA you have, and keep the level there. Your CC will come down when all the organics in your pool are gone.
I'm thinking that the stuff you used from the pool store in the early stages has really lengthened the time of your conversion. I used only bleach and was done in 5 days.
Hang in there, it will happen.
Use the chart in the pool school to determine your shock level with the amount of CYA you have, and keep the level there. Your CC will come down when all the organics in your pool are gone.
I'm thinking that the stuff you used from the pool store in the early stages has really lengthened the time of your conversion. I used only bleach and was done in 5 days.
Hang in there, it will happen.