Prepping for OnBalance BiCarb Startup - Chemicals & Tools?

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Post a full set of current test results from one of the recommended test kits.
I see you are sharing your PoolMath logs, but there is no testing data there.

What test kit are you using? Add it to your signature.
 
ngsm13 said:
I notice it says to use dichlor or trichlor first few weeks. I'm worried about accumulation of CYA, and I've been using about 1GALLON of liquid chlorine per day.

Is this okay, typical? Should I get some tabs for a bit?
Click to expand...

In that thread @onBalance says...

For the first month of the Bicarb program, it is better to use Dichlor, or more preferably, Trichlor tabs for sanitizing, instead of liquid bleach or Cal Hypo to help reduce the natural pH rise.
 
ajw22 said:
In that thread @onBalance says...

For the first month of the Bicarb program, it is better to use Dichlor, or more preferably, Trichlor tabs for sanitizing, instead of liquid bleach or Cal Hypo to help reduce the natural pH rise.
Click to expand...
Indeed. Some people may not read around here, but I try to, diligently. Just trying to learn, and get some experience.

Since high CYA is so hard to eliminate (drain & replace)... I only used my inline chlorinator with tabs the first 5 days.

Can my high TA and CH lead to any inaccuracy in CYA measurements... Or excessive chlorine use?


onBalance said:
On the other hand, if you can stay on top of the pH and always keep it under 8.0, then it is okay use to bleach and not tabs.
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I've been adding Muriatic, on the order of 50oz+ every 3 days or so... To bump the pH from around 8.1 down to target of 7.6 per the Pool Math App.

And 96oz of 12.5% Chlorine daily.

Basically, just trying to figure out what's typical of MY pool... And get a handle on what is/isn't normal.
 
mknauss said:
That is a bit high for a 20000 gallon pool. About 6 ppm FC per day.

Do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

There is no test data in your Poolmath Logs.
What is your CYA?
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I login to my Poolmath app on my phone, with my username from here. Are my additions showing up? I only see boxes for each item, which I click on and there is a button for 'log addition'. Where do I just 'record my current numbers'?

Admittedly, I still struggle with the CYA test in the TF-100. I follow the method, and seemingly can see the dot the entire time. I literally have a pool store 3-minutes up the street (I know, I know)... and their optical tests consistently had me at 50CYA, but they said that for my fill water too so I don't really trust that.

Another spot check is the 'Test Strips' (I know, I know) the pool builder gave me are consistently ~30-50 CYA.

I will plan to do an OCLT, and hit up YouTube for a better CYA training to see if I can get better at it with my TF-100.

Since this is a new pool, should I also start adding additional CH above my 250CH + 200TA I have right now?

Thanks for your time!

-Noah
 
ngsm13 said:
Are my additions showing up?
Click to expand...
Your chemical additions are there, but there is no test data. When you enter your test data, you have to save it by touching the check mark in the upper right.

How much CYA stabilizer product have you added? In all forms (granules, trichlor, etc).

ngsm13 said:
Since this is a new pool, should I also start adding additional CH above my 250CH + 200TA I have right now?
Click to expand...
Follow the start up process.
 

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mknauss said:
Your chemical additions are there, but there is no test data. When you enter your test data, you have to save it by touching the check mark in the upper right.

How much CYA stabilizer product have you added? In all forms (granules, trichlor, etc).


Follow the start up process.
Click to expand...
Ah, so the missing step for me was the '+' sign... and then not seeing at the bottom 'Log Test Results'. Can't believe I missed this, I'll start using it thanks!

As for CYA products, only what the PB put in my inline chlorinator on day 2 without my knowledge. Probably something like ~6 or less 3" tabs, the setting was on very low like 3/10 until it was gone. I had already understood I wasn't going to use the inline clorinator, so it's empty now with setting on zero.

I bought 8 cases of liquid chlorine, and have been using them like I said around 1-gallon per day. Next step for me is to try CYA test again this afternoon with the TF-100, and an OCLT. Thanks for your help.
 
If 6 trichlor pucks are the only product added with CYA, no need to test. Your CYA is at most 10 ppm. Add 30 ppm worth of CYA granular using the sock method.
 
As I move towards final balancing, and lowering my TA from 200 to 80...

Can I do my acid dose at once? Or should I break it up over 2 days? It's calling for 168oz of Muriatic Acid.
 
Only add enough acid to lower the pH to 7.2-7.3. Then either aerate to raise the pH or let the pH rise by iteslf.
Each acid addition will lower the TA a bit. Use PoolMath, Effects of Adding sedtion to see how much TA changes with MA additions.
 
proavia said:
Only add enough acid to lower the pH to 7.2-7.3. Then either aerate to raise the pH or let the pH rise by iteslf.
Each acid addition will lower the TA a bit. Use PoolMath, Effects of Adding sedtion to see how much TA changes with MA additions.
Click to expand...
Sure, that's how I got to my number.

I'll go for 7.2pH and check again in 24 hours.

Thanks.
 
ngsm13 said:
As I move towards final balancing, and lowering my TA from 200 to 80...

Can I do my acid dose at once? Or should I break it up over 2 days? It's calling for 168oz of Muriatic Acid.
Click to expand...
I would not add over a gallon of 31% MA at one time.

What % MA are you using?

Reduce your pH by 0.3-0.4, wait 30 minutes, test pH , repeat until you get pH down around 7.2
 
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