Vacation - using a pool company

[iamtexmax]

So family and I are going on vacation next week and since we will be away, I decided to get a pool company for 1 month to take care of pool while gone. I use the TFP way, since the pool was built - but last few weeks I have been unable to find Liquid Chlorine in the Austin area. My CYA is around 35, so figured even if the pool company added some pucks while I am away, hopefully by the time I am back, I can find Liquid Chlorine and take the pucks out and dispose them.
I was out (dropping someone off at the airport) when the pool guy came - wife called and said the pool guy was at home...by the time I reached home he had finished his work. Asked him what chemicals he had added - said he added:
- 4 pucks
- 1 gallon of liquid shock
- 8 lbs of bicarb

Had no clue abt bicarb - asked him what was that for? said my alkalinity was low.....
these were his readings left from the report: Chlorine - 3; pH - 7.6; Alkalinity - under 80

Last evening readings (my teenage son did the pool): Chlorine - 5; pH - 7.5; Alkalinity - 60 (we had heavy rain last night)

any thoughts? (should I be worried about the bicarb)..........wish I had been home when he did the pool (I am stuck with the pool company for at least the next 3 weeks since I am out)

 

[IceShadow]

It may not be a bad idea to have the TA a little higher if they're going to be using pucks for a short time. The pucks are acidic and may require higher TA to avoid potentially crashing the pH of the pool.

You might have to add some additional acid to reduce pH creep once the pucks are out and you're back to not using them, but for now it might not be a bad thing.

 

[iamtexmax]

Thanks Dustin...I was concerned he added 8 lbs of bicarb....I have never used it....(my pH normally rises with the TA - hence have to add acid every week)

 

[IceShadow]

When you're back you may have more need of the acid more often, but that's really the only downside if your CSI doesn't get thrown out of whack.