Testing kits question - new pool fill

[BDY]

Don’t store chlorine and MA together and don’t store MA inside or near anything metal. The bottle vents fumes for
Safety and they are very corrosive. And MA and chlorine if mixed form a nice approximation of mustard gas….

I store my Ma outside in a little covered sun cast box in the shade

 

[kellyfair]

My MA is just sitting in the yard next to my back door. Not going to lie - it gets hit by morning sun but is in the shade by noon. Hasn’t seemed to be an issue. BUT, I used to store it next to a metal shelf on a covered porch, and left tools out there. Wasn’t long before ttols and shelf were completely rusty.

 

[JC707]

Regarding the skimmer:

I notice debris doesn't get pulled down into basket as much as I was thinking. In my mind I was thinking a big vortex of water pulling down but now having the pool going, I opened skimmer lid just to observe and I can see water going in from pool but nothing much else.

There are bugs floating on top and a few sunk to bottom of skimmer basket but not much.

Is this normal skimmer operation?

Thanks!

 

[PoolStored]

Is this normal skimmer operation?

Yes.

 

[JC707]

Thanks! Forgive me in advance for any dumb questions I may have.

So much to learn but will slowly get it.

 

[BDY]

Regarding the skimmer:

I notice debris doesn't get pulled down into basket as much as I was thinking. In my mind I was thinking a big vortex of water pulling down but now having the pool going, I opened skimmer lid just to observe and I can see water going in from pool but nothing much else.

There are bugs floating on top and a few sunk to bottom of skimmer basket but not much.

Is this normal skimmer operation?

Thanks!

Does your skimmer have a weir door?

 

[JC707]

Does your skimmer have a weir door?

Sure does. I remember asking the PB about why it wasn't coming down and then he said when pump is on it will do that.

He came out a few days later and set equipment up and when pump fired up weir door pulled down.

 

[kimkats]

You are doing GREAT!! Keep asking any and all questions you have! We LOVE to teach people as we were all there in the beginning!

Kim

 

[Newdude]

Forgive me in advance for any dumb questions I may have.

I blazed that trail FAR and WIDE my friend. I even keep it well trimmed from time time in case anyone else needs it.

 

[JC707]

Been brushing pool and keep kicking up some kind of dust on bottom...brushing it towards deep end skimmer.

We did have the paver company come out and re-do polysand, but I'm trying to see if this is algae dust? I'm going to hop in later to get a closer eye with some goggles.

Doing my morning Chem testing, seems like chlorine levels are low 0.5-1. Pebble instructions say to keep at 1.5-3ppm. PB's Chem guy came Friday and added 1 puck it looks like.

I may bump it up with some liquid chlorine but not enough where he might question me lol.

My TF test kit has this chlorine test in a black tub that has PH along side it. It also has a chlorine test using powder which I have not used thus far. Looks like it's called OTO and one is FAS-DPD. should I start using thr powder DPD style testing or is this OTO one ok time being?

Thanks!

 

[JC707]

You are doing GREAT!! Keep asking any and all questions you have! We LOVE to teach people as we were all there in the beginning!

Kim

Thanks Kim! Told my wife this is overwhelming but fun at the same time. And I just turned 40 so I need to keep my brain learning new things from time to time...keep me younger

 

[JC707]

Did my first CYA test, a little wonky seeing if the black dot disappears!

I followed instructions and kept filling but black dot just got smaller, never disappeared.

 

[JC707]

Hard to tell from photos but just an example.

Black dot shrank but didnt disappear. Held it to my waist with back to sun per the TFP CYA instructions page.

 

[PoolStored]

New fill. CYA is not naturally recurring. If you have not added any, your CYA should be zero...

Have you added any? If not, add 30ppm.

 

[duraleigh]

You immediately need CHLORINE in your pool........3 ppm worth each day until your test kit gets in. You also have ZERO CYA Add enough to get to 30 ppm. It doesn't matter that you can't test for it for now. Add it and assume it is in there. Calculate carefully.

Chlorine and CYA should be an immediate priority. Let us know when that is done.

 

[JC707]

New fill. CYA is not naturally recurring. If you have not added any, your CYA should be zero...

Have you added any? If not, add 30ppm.

No I assumed PBs Chem start up guy who is handling the pool for 30 days is. After 30 days we do a pool school and he passes it off to me.

Next time I will ask him what he is adding. So far it's sequester, chlorine pucks (3 total so far it looks like), maybe some muratic acid.

 

[JC707]

You immediately need CHLORINE in your pool........3 ppm worth each day until your test kit gets in. You also have ZERO CYA Add enough to get to 30 ppm. It doesn't matter that you can't test for it for now. Add it and assume it is in there. Calculate carefully.

Chlorine and CYA should be an immediate priority. Let us know when that is done.

Will do today. We have PB Chem guy for 30 days "handling" the pool....who is not doing much it seems! Geez. And I expect a hard sell from him to try to keep me on after 30 days...NO THANKS.

I know he's added 3 chlorine pucks so far...guess from my test no liquid chlorine.

Adding it today. Plus CYA. PH and TA seem to be in range so far.

I am trying to balance things by not doing too much to trigger a red flag with him who is the builders pool Chem guy and may pass word I'm messing with things. Trying to balance it out these 1st 30 days as to not break warranty if that makes sense?

 

[JC707]

Can I add liquid chlorine and CYA granules via sock at same time? And may kids swim afterwards...say 1 hour or is there a general time?

I know no chlorine / muratic acid together for sure!

Thanks all!

 

[JC707]

Sorry let me rephrase this. I have the TF pro test kit. Tested a few times to start getting use to it all.

I've only testing chlorine using the OHC test I think it's called...it is red/yellow has chlorine and PH side by side. I haven't tried the powdered chlorine test yet.

I've also tested CH, TA, and today tried CYA posted pic above.

I know PB Chem start up guy has come twice so far in 1 week. 1st day (monday) started equipment to get pump going and added 2 chlorine pucks + sequester. 2nd day (friday) he added 1 more puck and maybe acid not sure on that didn't get to ask.

He did email me his visit, only lists his test results but unfortunately not what he added. He text me to say he added stuff and wait a few hours before kids swim. His email has FC at 0.5-1ppm. And today my test shows the same.

There looks to be 1 and 1/2 pucks remaining slowly dissolving. Sorry for long post wanted to give all the details.

I know the Pebble tech start up guide says by now should be 1.5-3ppm chlorine so way below that. I'm thinking WTH are these start up guys doing! Geez.

Anyways off to store to get my supplies.

Thanks everyone for all the help. I can't imagine not having the support and help, I can see why people either hire someone or use pool supply store to add whatever they say to add and call it a day. Luckily I found TFP awhile back and will handle this myself!

 

[Newdude]

Cya can hang out while anything else gets adjusted too. Add the others away from the CYA though. Allow 20 mins with circulation between adding other chemicals.

I wouldn't adjust anything but CYA while the kids see swimming. Or make them swim on the other side of the pool for the next 5 mins. Nothing is particularly harmful once it hits the water, but just because.