Ready to dive in! First time balancing pool water

[Mabbers]

This is my first pool ever.
Intext above ground 18x9 4500 gallons.
sand filter, chlorine
city water

have been reading everything here!

did first round of tests.
FC 0 (color didn't change at all)
PH 7.2
TA 140
I don't see a test in my kit for CYA
and I don't think I need to test for CH, or CSI

So, my questions,
How do I add the liquid chlorine?
do I need to do a SLAM? Do I need to do thing where I add chlorine throughout the day for 3 days?

for TA - I am supposed to add baking soda, which I have plenty of. the calculator app is saying 4lbs, 11 oz.
what is the best way to add that much baking soda? do I mix it with water and stir it in? do I sprinkle and stir? do I pour it next to the jet?

Thank you for being such a great resource. Looking forward to leveling up and becoming an old pro at this!

 

[PoolStored]

What test kit do you have? Did you just add water or are you testing water that has been there a while? Let's sort out your CYA.

I would add a quart of liquid chlorine now. Just pour it slowly over the return, and brush a bit to distribute. This will add about 5ppm of Free Chlorine (FC). Wait 30 minutes and test again. Will give us a sense of where your pool is at, while we sort out the CYA.

I wouldn't worry about TA at this point, let's sort out FC and CYA.

 

[Mabbers]

When I bought the pool, I ordered this test kit from Lowes:

Pool Central 5-Piece Swimming Pool Test Kit with Tester Block and Case​

I have the Taylor K2006 coming, but it has not yet arrived. will see what I can do until it gets here.

One other thing, I also have granular pool chlorine (again, before I found this site). I also have liquid chlorine, which I will add now. But wondering if I can still use the granular stuff.

thank you!

 

[PoolStored]

I have the Taylor K2006 coming, but it has not yet arrived. will see what I can do until it gets here.

One other thing, I also have granular pool chlorine (again, before I found this site). I also have liquid chlorine, which I will add now. But wondering if I can still use the granular stuff.

GREAT!!!! The only thing you need to do is add a quart of liquid chlorine per day until your test kit arrives. This will keep any algae at bay.

Let's get your test kit here and get you going with liquid chlorine first. You can use it at some point if necessary. How much did you buy? Can you return it?

 

[Mabbers]

Got the chlorine levels to 3 (according to the test kit I do have, not the taylor).

Next is the PH - it was in the pink at 8.0 - the app recommends muriatic acid, which I'm still waiting on. any recommendations for a place I can quickly pick it up?
and do I absolutely HAVE to add it in the morning? can I add it when I pick some up this evening? (I am not adding any more chlorine, I think)

also, no, I don't think I can return the granular chlorine. I might trade it with someone local.

 

[PoolStored]

Got the chlorine levels to 3 (according to the test kit I do have, not the taylor).
View attachment 442688
Next is the PH - it was in the pink at 8.0 - the app recommends muriatic acid, which I'm still waiting on. any recommendations for a place I can quickly pick it up?
and do I absolutely HAVE to add it in the morning? can I add it when I pick some up this evening? (I am not adding any more chlorine, I think)

also, no, I don't think I can return the granular chlorine. I might trade it with someone local.

Great, just add that quart every day until you get your test kit. Does not matter when you add it.

Muriatic acid is available in every hardware store or HD/Lowes. Typically in the paint aisle. This is available today at the Sterling Lowe's. You can add it ANYTIME. Pencil thin pour, over your return, then brush around a bit. Wear eye protection, please.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Klean-Strip-Klean-Strip-Muriatic-Acid-1-Gl/1002858920

If you don't have it download this --> PoolMath It will tell you how much to add given your situation. It may be that your pH is higher than 8, so you might have to test again after 30 minutes to confirm where you are with pH.

 

[Mabbers]

Thank you! I saw that but wasn't sure that was the right stuff.
I will pick some up now.
The app is awesome! I have been using it to tell me how much to add.
Thanks for the help!

 

[PoolStored]

@Mabbers

You have reported a pH of 7.2 and now a pH of 8. What have you added other than Muratic acid?

I have not see values change like that in a day. I don't trust your kit.

Please do not add Muriatic Acid until you get your test kit.

 

[Mabbers]

The only thing I have added is chlorine

 

[PoolStored]

The only thing I have added is chlorine

I would not add MA at this point. Wait for the test kit. You pool will be fine. If your pH test is off and you add MA, you *could* do harm. Let's do this right.

 

[Mabbers]

Thank you. So we are safe to swim?
The water is crystal clear. We finished filling it Monday morning.

 

[PoolStored]

Thank you. So we are safe to swim?
The water is crystal clear. We finished filling it Monday morning.

Sure. With the high pH, you MAY get some eye irritation, but it's ok to swim.

Since you have new water, when you go to lowes for the MA, pick this up. We will add it when you get your test kit.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Clorox-Pool-Spa-Clorox-Pool-Spa-Chlorine-Stabilizer/1001873978