Pool Maintenance

[ATran]

Hi everyone,

My name is Alex. I wanted to ask if I should be spending money to buy material to rebalance my pool or should I just give it sometime and retest. I also wanted to ask how often should I be testing the pool. Please let me know if I should spend money on Calcium Hardness Increaser and Chlorine Stabilizer as well as Acid to rebalance my pool or should I wait .

The owner of the place I rent just fixed the pool recently per my request. I am now in charge of maintenance.

These are the instruction from the company that fixed the pool:
1. Check chlorine weekly with test kit
2. Add liquid chlorine or shock as needed
3. Add acid to adjust pH

This is my first time maintenance a pool. I did some research and found this forums. I purchased t-100 test kit, and the spinner to help with testing. I completed my first time today, and I was under the expectation that everything would look good since it just got fixed. I did read through general understand of each chemical.

Here are my testing result:
Free Chlorine: 5.2
Combine Chloramines: 0.5
Calcium Hardness: 225ppm
Total Alkalinity: 100
Cya Test: 25
pH: 7.8
Cl br: 5-10

 

[PoolStored]

Welcome to TFP!!!

Below is a link to a guide on pool maintenance.

For FC, you should follow this tool. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

You should round up CYA results so it ends in a 0 (zero). For FC purposes, your CYA is 30.

You calcium level is fine. I would test your fill water CH.

Everything else is just fine.

Basic Pool Care Schedule

This basic pool care schedule can guide you in creating your own pool care routine. Regular pool maintenance will keep your water sparkling!

www.troublefreepool.com

Another good read for you...Link-->Pool Care Basics

 

[ATran]

Thank you so much for adding all the additional link and feedback .

If you don't mind me asking, what is the reason for testing the fill water CH? I am using city tap water. I will definitely test for it.

I was following recommended levels guide. May I ask what is the different between IDEAL and Acceptable Minimum? Will it has any effect on the water if I just follow the minimum and not IDEAL? I am not sure when should I be pursuing the ideal range listed in the guide.

 

[JJ_Tex]

If you don't mind me asking, what is the reason for testing the fill water CH? I am using city tap water. I will definitely test for it.

I was following recommended levels guide. May I ask what is the different between IDEAL and Acceptable Minimum?

The fill water from various regions of the country can vary in calcium. For example, areas of the southwest of the US have very high levels of calcium, so you would never ever want to add calcium even if you are below the ideal range for calcium.

For the levels, you should mainly shoot for the IDEAL range when adding products but each metric has a certain amount of wiggle room.
For example, if your CYA is 50, your Target FC is 6-8, with a minimum of 4. In plain English, that means shoot for FC of 6-8, but you have some wiggle room if your FC drops below the ideal range. Anything below the minimum of 4 can allow algae to begin growing so you never ever want to get close to that number. Make sense?

 

[PoolStored]

If you don't mind me asking, what is the reason for testing the fill water CH? I am using city tap water. I will definitely test for it.

If your fill water has high CH, and your pool has 200, I would not add CH as your fill water will accelerate CH rise. Knowing the TA and CH of your fill water helps you know how to manage your pool.

I was following recommended levels guide. May I ask what is the different between IDEAL and Acceptable Minimum? Will it has any effect on the water if I just follow the minimum and not IDEAL? I am not sure when should I be pursuing the ideal range listed in the guide.

Depends on the level.
pH - Any pH in the 7s is just fine. If your pH is low 7.0 or above, leave it alone. Ph will rise on its own. pH of 8, makes sense to use MA to lower it.
CH - is important for a plaster pool. If you have high CH fill, starting on the low end is just fine, letting it rise over time.
TA - least important. No need to force it to ideal range. Manage pH and TA generally takes care of itself.
CYA - is really dependent on your location, amount of sun, and type of chlorination. If you have a little sun or shaded and use liquid chlorine (LC), 30-50 is great. Lots of sun and LC, maybe run up to 60. Saltwater Chlorine Generator, same sun adjustment with a range of 60-80 is appropriate.

 

[ATran]

Thank you guys for the input. I am truly appreciate your helps. I would be so lost without these feedback and guidance.

Thank you so much. You guys are awesome