Pool Newb With Newly Refilled Pool, In Need of Help

[Swim138]

I have never owned a pool before and have no clue what I am doing beyond what I've read here. I moved into a house with a pebble tec pool that needed to be drained. One week ago it was drained, acid washed and refilled. At that time the pool guy said he balanced it. Partner was taking care of pool and left town for a month without giving me any instructions. I have spent hours reading Pool School but have some questions about how to handle pool chemistry myself. I ordered the TF-100 but it won't be here for about a week so currently I have the Leslie's Water Analysis Report and/or the HDX 5-Way Test Kit to get chem data. See Leslie's report image: I plugged this info into the PoolMath page. See PoolMath image: I don't have the Borate level and don't know if I need it currently or should try and use the HDX 5-Way result. I went ahead and added the 64oz of 12% bleach this evening. I put one cup near each eyeball diverter and one on the deep end. I also added two socks full of 1 pound CYA each to the skimmer basket. I know the pool math says to add a bit more but I cannot fit it into the skimmer basket. The skimmer basket is attached to the Rainbow Vac-Mate so I will not be able to squeeze the socks periodically, as I've seen people suggest in posts here, because removing the Rainbow Vac-Mate without losing prime is not possible. I figured out how to reprime the pump and got it running again. Do I worry about squeezing the socks? Is it ok that I put them in the basket with the Vac-Mate? I assume I need to wait until CYA dissolves fully before worrying about pH? Leslie's analysis didn't include Borate level so do I wait for TS-100 to arrive or do I try and figure out CSI without it and adjust CH level now? I have NO idea what I am doing. Please advise. I still need to try and figure out the optimal pump schedule settings and program them as well. Currently pump is at whatever previous owners had it on which I have not been able to/had time for figuring out. Help is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Texas Splash]

Re: Pool Newb With Newly Refilled Pool

Hello and welcome to TFP!

At that time the pool guy said he balance it.

That always scares me. Glad you are taking charge now. As long as the socks don't plug water flow to your skimmer and pump, you should be okay. Squeeze them when you can. You can adjust the pH now no problem. Has nothing to do with CYA. Just never add bleach and muriatic acid at the exact same time. I wouldn't worry about Borates for now either. Stick to the basics. For now - focus on a basic pH number in the mid 7s, and keeping enough FC to match your projected CYA level as noted on the Chlorine/CYA Chart (link below). Once you get your TF-100, post a full set of numbers and then you can really get accurate with everything. Your kit should arrive in a couple days or so.

- - - Updated - - -

As for your VSP, it can be on a relatively low rpm when power is on. You'll typically kick-up the rpms when adding chemicals, powering cleaners, or simply to purge any trapped air bubbles out of the pump basket (under the clear lid).

 

[Swim138]

Re: Pool Newb With Newly Refilled Pool

I thought once CYA dissolved that pH would change and I should wait for that to take place before trying to adjust it?

 

[Texas Splash]

Re: Pool Newb With Newly Refilled Pool

I thought once CYA dissolved that pH would change and I should wait for that to take place before trying to adjust it?

Nope. Your pH won't have any bearing on your CYA. You have new water and new water has no stabilizer, so use that Poolmath Calculator to add some as you planned. Since you are a non-SWG pool, you can go anywhere from 30-50. As summer approaches, you'll want more CYA to protect the FC. Once you drop that sock(s) in the water to start soaking, consider your CYA good and press-on with balancing the FC to match that CYA as noted on the chart. The pH testing or control with muriatic acid won't have any impact on the CYA or visa-versa.

 

[Swim138]

Re: Pool Newb With Newly Refilled Pool

Nope. Your pH won't have any bearing on your CYA.

Then why does PoolMath page state, "Note: It can take solid stabilizer up to a week to dissolve. It will also lower your pH."? Am I not reading this correctly?

 

[Goob]

Re: Pool Newb With Newly Refilled Pool

Then why does PoolMath page state, "Note: It can take solid stabilizer up to a week to dissolve. It will also lower your pH."? Am I not reading this correctly?

CYA will affect your pH level very slightly as 5ish lbs brought my pH level down a couple of tenths. I believe CYA has a pH level of about 4- not strong but, obviously, on the acidic side and is the reason you can wring it out while dissolving without any effect.

 

[Swim138]

Re: Pool Newb With Newly Refilled Pool

CYA will affect your pH level very slightly as 5ish lbs brought my pH level down a couple of tenths. I believe CYA has a pH level of about 4- not strong but, obviously, on the acidic side and is the reason you can wring it out while dissolving without any effect.

I see, thank you.

 

[Texas Splash]

CYA will affect your pH level very slightly as 5ish lbs brought my pH level down a couple of tenths.

That is correct, and because it is such a slight influence, we generally don't distract you with it - especially when someone is new to pools. There's enough to learn when starting without worrying about such a very small change. As you can see from these threads, it comes up from time to time:
increasing Cya and effects on pH
How Much Will CYA Lower pH?

Also, we did some extensive CYA testing a couple years ago and determined that once granular stabilizer is fully dissolved, you'll see most of your projected CYA goal reached within 24 hrs or so - doesn't take a full week. It's great you're noticing the details in the calculator. Perhaps we need to address that issue with the TFP staff.

It can take solid stabilizer up to a week to dissolve

Hummmm. I wonder if they were referring to stabilizer pucks (solid)? I'll have to look more into that one.

 

[Swim138]

Thank you for thoroughly explaining, I very much appreciate it. Seems reasonable. I added the chemicals that PoolMath told me to and levels have been perfect. Hoping the Tucson summer doesn't create loads of problems.