Testing kits question - new pool fill

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JC707 said:
Counting the days down! I can see now why a SWG is recommended...pouring chlorine in everyday is getting old fast for me 😆
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I needed to find a weeks worth of chlorine, when my pool was fired up. It took an hour and a half and visits to 3 stores. It was literally once, and it was too much.

#neveragain.
JC707 said:
Also random thought but how do pool companies do it with chlorine if they only come once a week?
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That's a GREAT question. They fail. Wait. No. They epic fail at it. :ROFLMAO:
JC707 said:
Like they basically pour a ton of chlorine to get levels up to 25+ then it burns off during the week and rinse/repeat 1 time a week during their visit?
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That's what they try to do, but elevated FC levels burn off quicker so they don't make it the week like they hope.
JC707 said:
Are you saying once SWG turns on for first time, I slam to get things started ?
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If you need to raise the CYA significantly (which you do), you OCLT first. Prove there's no algae before you make the SLAM FC target a 28 instead of a 12.
 
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Found this on ABC article here on TFP:

"Combined Chlorine – CC over 0.5ppm indicates a problem."

I tested this morning and got 0.5ppm. Hoping I don't have algae already geez. I'll do the OCLT test before raising CYA a ton when SWG fires up in 2 weeks....or maybe I'll do it tonight to see
 
Yah just read the OCLT article on TFP. Going to do it tonight because I am curious by nature and want to know what the numbers say. 🤪
 
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This also has me wondering with all of these pool builders who do the chemicals for the first 30 days....

I wonder if at the end before passing to owners, the start up guys just slam all the pools they take care of due to cloudy water. Lol

Maybe my experience with our PB Chem start up guy is a one off tho and others actually come a few times a week to monitor and adjust Pools to keep water crystal clear before hand off to the home owners. 🤷
 
Pool builders and their start up guys have zero clue about what SLAM even means, let alone how to successfully complete a SLAM Process. They may do a one time shock (which is not a SLAM), but probably not even that.

Chances are your experience with the PB startup is not a one off. PB may be great at building a pool, but usually have little to no clue of how to properly maintain one. Many don't even follow the plaster manufacturers published plaster start up requirements.
 
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proavia said:
Pool builders and their start up guys have zero clue about what SLAM even means, let alone how to successfully complete a SLAM Process. They may do a one time shock (which is not a SLAM), but probably not even that.

Chances are your experience with the PB startup is not a one off. PB may be great at building a pool, but usually have little to no clue of how to properly maintain one. Many don't even follow the plaster manufacturers published plaster start up requirements.
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Oh yah, I can confirm this at least with my experience. I had the plaster companies start up guide printed and ready to go over with PB Chem start up guy, and the Chem guy shook his head and said he doesn't follow it! I knew then I probably won't be allowing him the 30 days and here I am taking it over under 2 weeks in.

Ahhh Shock...that's what it's called - I was confusing the two. Thanks for clarifying.
 
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Is it OK or advisable to add a small amount of chlorine to the autofill tank? I opened it up today and saw brown stuff on bottom but I believe it's polysand/dirt/etc from when paver company re-did my entire paver deck polysand.

I was thinking of vacuuming out best I could the bottom dirt, maybe add a tiny bit of chlorine in there?

Thanks all!
 
Vacuum it out - shut of the autofill supply valve first.
Mix some water and chlorine together and add to the autofill canister.
CAREFULLY (you don't want to splash on yourself or your clothes) clean the inside of the canister with the water/chlorine mix.
Flush the canister a few times with plain water from the hose to get the chlorine concentration down.
Open the autofill shut off valve.

Preventative maintenance - flush the canister every week or two will a pail full of properly chlorinated pool water.
 
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proavia said:
Vacuum it out - shut of the autofill supply valve first.
Mix some water and chlorine together and add to the autofill canister.
CAREFULLY (you don't want to splash on yourself or your clothes) clean the inside of the canister with the water/chlorine mix.
Flush the canister a few times with plain water from the hose to get the chlorine concentration down.
Open the autofill shut off valve.

Preventative maintenance - flush the canister every week or two will a pail full of properly chlorinated pool water.
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Thank you! Are you saying to completely vacuum out the water from canister? If so, any best way to plug the hole that leads to the pool for the water that flows into canister?
 
JC707 said:
Thank you! Are you saying to completely vacuum out the water from canister? If so, any best way to plug the hole that leads to the pool for the water that flows into canister?
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Completely vacuum out to get any sand or other debris.

A cork if you have one laying around.
A wadded up piece of bread - be sure to flush it all out when done.
A carrot pushed snuggly into the hole from the pool side.
Whatever you use, be gentle.
 
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Alright I have CYA dialed in at 30, pebble start up guide says 20-30 for 1st 28 days -- will raise in 2 weeks once SWG is turned on.

PH is down from 8-8.2 to 7.5. Pebble start up guide says 7.0-7.4 for 1st 28 days.

TA is down from 140ish to 120. Start up guide shows 80-90 during first 28 days. Per pool math every 0.4 PH adjustment will lower TA by 6-ish. So I have 5 or so more acid adjustments to do it seems.

Getting there folks. 👍
 
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Thank you Kim! Will do that for sure.

Side note, I went to clean out pump basket, followed some youtube video for these steps:

1. Turn to service mode on panel.
2. Remove lid
3. Clean basket
4. Turn on pump and bleed air

As soon as I removed lid the water drained down a bit and constantly made gurgling noises, I admit I fully panicked and did a crappy job cleaning basket just so I can get the lid back on!

Turned on pump, bled air and pump filled back up with water. Some air bubbles came out from returns until all air was purged from system it seems and now all is good.

My question is , is it normal for those gurgling sounds to happen? Video I followed didn't mention closing any valves but maybe I should have? Pump is a foot or so above water and 35 feet away from pool if that matters.

Thanks all!
 
JC707 said:
My question is , is it normal for those gurgling sounds to happen?
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Yes. It will glug glug glug and burp until the filter is empty to the bottom pipe on the housing.

It's harmless.
JC707 said:
Video I followed didn't mention closing any valves but maybe I should have?
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Do you have any valves you can stop the flow on either the suction or return side ? For example, I have a 3way valve to waste between the filter and pump. I can use it to seal the filter leg so I can clean the pump basket with only a couple glugs from the 'up pipe' leaving the pump.
 
Not sure if I am testing CH incorrectly, per the TF test kits I add reagent until it turns blue. Problem is some of my blue waterline tile has was looks to be haze on it...calcium stains? Wonder if my CH is actually way higher than I tested for.

I'm going to retest it shortly but is there any best way to clean waterline tile? Maybe a rag an elbow grease is all that's needed?

Thanks!
 
I got the speed stir in from TF kits, it was on back order when I bought the TF salt pro kit.

Game changer folks...makes it much easier lol. Also having multiple tubes is awesome it seems.
 
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JC707 said:
Game changer folks...makes it much easier lol.
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We can explain it until our fingers are numb from typing. Most people need to see it in action to understand, then they promptly death grip it for protection. :ROFLMAO:
 
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Newdude said:
Do you have any valves you can stop the flow on either the suction or return side ? For example, I have a 3way valve to waste between the filter and pump. I can use it to seal the filter leg so I can clean the pump basket with only a couple glugs from the 'up pipe' leaving the pump.
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Hmmm let me take a photo and upload it for ya. Will do shortly after heading to Walmart to get tennis balls and chlorine.

Side note, my 3 young kids constantly want to go with me to any store to look for pool toys - they will bankrupt me more than this pool cost 😑

It does seem tho that all the pool items are on super clearance so there's that. We desperately need some outdoor furniture and I am hoping to score some on a super deal now that summer is ending. Lol
 
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