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[Stephs2125]

Hello!
So we just moved into our new house with our new pool. Still learning a lot but I tested the water today and two days ago (I hope my logs are showing up?)
Just in case, today's numbers are:
FC 6.0
pH 7.0 (did not use the meter as I haven't calibrated it yet - just used the color comparator tool)
TA 20
CYA 30
Temp 81

What should I address first? FC seems OK but pH, TA and CYA are on the lowish side.

I'm guessing the gallons of my pool. It is 24 x 44 with an 8' or 9' deep end - and it seems only a small diving area is that deep - it slants upwards from that squarish target zone. If anyone has any better suggestions for how I can accurately know the water gallons, I'm all ears (or eyes in this case!)

 

[Texas Splash]

First and foremost add some baking soda right away to increase the TA to about 70. That should also help to allow the pH to rise on its own. But the baking soda is important.

How does the water look? Any potential signs of algae (green, haziness, etc)?

 

[Stephs2125]

First and foremost add some baking soda right away to increase the TA to about 70. That should also help to allow the pH to rise on its own. But the baking soda is important.

How does the water look? Any potential signs of algae (green, haziness, etc)?

Hi Texas,
Thanks for the response. I think the water looks pretty clean. There is some debris but I'm running the vacuum daily.
I'm adding a few pics - might be hard to tell from them with the sun hitting the water and the stupid liner that looks like debris is on the walls (bad choice, IMO ) but water is clear (no cloudiness) I can see the drains at the bottom of the deep end clearly. Walls don't show any signs of sliminess to the touch.

 

[RHanna]

If you go to the store for baking soda, some stores sell large bags (10+ pounds). I only found 1 bag in the baking area but there were several in the pool section.

Pool Volume Calculator | Pool Maintenance

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As for gallons, I would section off parts of the pool and calculate from there. Most of these calculators use the shallow and deep end depths but they are averaging the depth across the whole pool. Sectioning off the pool allows for different slopes. Remember to subtract out the corners for your pool.

 

[Texas Splash]

I think the water looks pretty clean. There is some debris but I'm running the vacuum daily.

And that's the only pitfall of having a TFP-clear pool. Okay, water looks good. So your CYA is at the minimum and okay for now. But if the local temps and intensity of the sun become such that FC begins to fall, you can increase the CYA to 40. Down here it's much hotter so we need a much higher CYA (50-70) to protect the FC, but up there perhaps not so much. So just keep an eye on it.

Once you get the TA increased, you should be in good shape. Follow-up with the pH tomorrow to ensure it shows signs of increasing over 7.2. Enjoy.

 

[Stephs2125]

And that's the only pitfall of having a TFP-clear pool. Okay, water looks good. So your CYA is at the minimum and okay for now. But if the local temps and intensity of the sun become such that FC begins to fall, you can increase the CYA to 40. Down here it's much hotter so we need a much higher CYA (50-70) to protect the FC, but up there perhaps not so much. So just keep an eye on it.

Once you get the TA increased, you should be in good shape. Follow-up with the pH tomorrow to ensure it shows signs of increasing over 7.2. Enjoy.

Great, the homeowner had a 50 lb bag of sodium bicarbonate in the garage that was a little more than 1/2 full. Pool App said to add 32 lbs so I'll start with half of what is left in the bag - let it run a few hours, re-test, and add more if required.

Thanks again!