Pool Opening - Chem balancing order?

[mjc123]

I haven't visited the forum since I closed the pool in October, but I'm aiming to open late April - early May. In the meantime over the winter I ordered the TF-100, so I'll be starting off on the right track this year, but wanted to ask what the process is to balance the water starting out. Presumably I start by getting everything plumbed back up, loose debris removed, and refilling the pool back to it's proper level (as far as I can tell, the amount of snow/ice weight on the cover this winter displaced a ton of water from the pool, as it's 6-12" lower than it was when I covered it in October). Then, I'm assuming I do an initial test of the water to see where it sits. However, once that's done and I can calculate what chems I need to add, my question is around the order of that - I'm assuming I don't just dump everything in at once. Should I be aiming to stabilize one value, then move on to the next, and if so, what order?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[CJadamec]

Here's what I do

I take a full set of readings to see where I'm at. You will be adding a fair amount of make up water by the sounds of it so your pool will be low on most everything.

As long as the pH is close to normal I would move on to adding CYA to get it to your desired level and bring the FC up to proper levels. If pH is way off then work on getting that settled first. Chances are the pH will be close to normal.

Run the pump and get everything all nice and mixed up. If your FC holds like it should and you don't have any signs of an algae problem move on to fine tuning the rest of your numbers. If you show signs of algae then do a quick SLAM to get things in order.

 

[Richard320]

It all depends on test results. Get the cover off, the plumbing reconnected, water circulating for half an hour or more. Maybe brush a little to help stir things up. Or vacuum if some fine debris has gotten past the cover. The point is well mixed. Then you consider the results and decide what needs to happen.

Some horrible scenarios:
1) The CYA that was 70 at closing has degraded into ammonia. That means it might be cheaper to drain and refill than bleach the ammonia away. Especially if the water is green or cloudy.
2) Calcium is astronomical. Again, draining is the solution

Those are worst case. Your best bet is to post the results (also water clarity) and go out to eat or something to give the forum wizards time to respond. Then pick a plan of attack. You may be urged to run an ammonia test. If the water is green and something else is out of whack, maybe a drain is called for. Maybe nothing worse than replace the CYA and salt that got drained and/or displaced. Test results!