Feeling pretty confident after reading the many resources on the website. In the process of getting supplies from the pool store, happened to take a sample of my Water to them. Came back with the following test info:
Free Chlorine : 0.13
Total Chlorine: 0.13
PG: 7.3
Total Alkalinity: 60 (/)
Calcium Hardness : 11
Cyanuric Acid: 5
Phosphates : 1667
TDS: 300
What are the chances that would change once i fill up the pool.
Obviously, from the tap and fill i figure i will need to substantially up the alkilinity up and have that on hand . Similarly , also have some HArdness Plus on hand. We were given a start-up kit gratis that has Leslie's Chlor Brite, 1 pt Algae Control, 1 pt Ultra Bright Advanced and 1 pt Stain & Scale Prevent Start-Up. Anything else i should be thinking about in terms of startup. Or play it by ear once the pool is full, settles and i start with the Alkalinity Up. Thanks in advance.
It's really unlikely you have 5 CYA in tap water. Makes the whole set of results suspect. Around here we trust pool store testing about as much as minimart sushi. Test strips are no better.
The only thing in your free stuff that looks useful is the Chlor Brite, which is dichlor, which could be used to both chlorinate and raise CYA. Be aware that it is
really acidic, so your okay pH and your lower-limit TA are going to be adversely affected if you do. It might be wiser to save it for later in the season when your CYA is dropping from splashout and you have a better handle on pool chemistry.
The pH looks good but could climb with any aeration that comes from filling. You'll have to test it when the pool is full and circulating. With that TA level -- if accurate -- it seems unlikely to need immediate adjustment.
You'll need to add stabilizer aka CYA
You'll need chlorine.
That's it.
The TA is acceptable as-is. I guess since you already have Alkalinity Up, when it's time you can use it, but it's just overpriced baking soda in a fancy package. Don't buy any more.
That looks like very soft water. Your vinyl pool is okay with that. If you get a bunch of foaming on the surface, and it bugs you, then you'll need to raise CH. For now, don't worry.
Don't make this harder than it is. But get your own proper test kit. 6000 gallons is not a kiddie pool. You need a
grown-up test kit. One algae outbreak or one trip to the Urgent Care with an ear infection or pinkeye will completely overshadow the expense of a proper kit, not to mention the savings on overpriced or useless chemicals they'll scare you into buying at the pool store when you go in for one of those free tests.