Would like some feedback on my progress please - New pool.

[jsnpckns]

Hello all.

I have had the pool up and running since Memorial Day weekend. The pool was swimmable, but I have done some work on it since using what I have learned here. I think I am in a good spot, but I have some questions because I don't want to rock the boat of my water.

So I have been using a hand me down Taylor kit my buddy gave me after taking down his above ground pool. The reagents don't expire until next month, so I figured it was ok to keep using for now. I have also been taking my water to a mom and pop pool store and the local ACE hardware has a testing station.

The pool is 14x35 Aspen pool from Thursday pools, which lists the total gallons at 8423. I have been using 8400 for all my calculations. The rest of the equipment is Pentair, with the easy touch control panel, CP 320 cartridge filter, and an IC40 SWG. I have 3 returns and 1 skimmer. I *think* my plumbing is all 2.5" sched 40. The pool is clear and comfortable (if a bit warm, I average between 80 and 90 degrees depending on time of day and weather. I think I have a good line on my run time and SWG%.

So, where I am at now, I have been reading that my TA should be lower. I made a small addition with Muriatic acid as my pH was at 8.0, and I waited 2 days to see what it would result in. The total add was 26 oz of 31.45% Muriatic. My pH drop was about .4 and about 10 on the TA. I was looking for feedback on my numbers to maybe guide me on next best step to tweak where I am. I have all of today's results, which is the pool store, ACE, and my two test kits. I have my eye on a new Taylor K2006C salt kit, but I hate to waste this one I have if the numbers are good, which is why I have been trying to double/triple check. The pool store does combination of drop tests and some meters, while ACE has a cartridge kit and an optical machine (don't remember the name.

Anyway... Over the last 3 weeks, I have only added the following: 2 gallons of liquid stabilizer, 16 lbs of Calcium Chloride, and about 36 oz of acid. I have been running the pump 10 hours a day from 8 am to 6 pm, and currently have the SWG set to 30% but these numbers came from the SWG set at 40%.

*edit* these are all from a Taylor 2006 kit that I did, reagents are old but not expired. Took out all other store tests except TDS and phosphate/metals*
FC -6
CC - 0
pH - 7.6
CH - 250
TA - 135
CYA - Out of reagent but 2 store tests and the math from what I have added agree on the 55-60 ppm range.
Salt - salt strip: 3500 - 4000, Pentair panel diagnostics on the intellichlor: 3800, green salt light.
TDS - Pool store: 500
Phosphate - ACE: 369 ppb
Copper and iron - ACE: 0

So that's where I am at. From reading here, it seems I want a lower TA and probably bring my CYA up about 10 or 15 ppm. I have a gallon and a half of acid and a jug of liquid stabilizer. I would appreciate any advice on that. I don't have an air compressor to aerate, so I'm a bit nervous about being too gung ho about chasing down pH for the TA as I would rather not have to add any chemicals to bring it back up. Advice is welcome and I can provide any missing information if needed.

 

[clambert1273]

For the best help here you really need one of the recommended kitsTest Kits Compared

the tf 100 is my personal fav & just got their new tf pro this year

 

[jsnpckns]

Thank you for the reply. Yes I have been trying to decide between the Taylor k2006 C Salt kit and the TF Pro Salt.

 

[clambert1273]

Thank you for the reply. Yes I have been trying to decide between the Taylor k2006 C Salt kit and the TF Pro Salt.

You can't go wrong with either but I think pro is a better value

 

[IceShadow]

The K-2006 should do fine but you won't get a lot of reagents for the FAS-DPD test for chlorine, so I'd get a refill of those. I'd just post results from that kit. We really don't trust how often pool store tests, etc. are calibrated. You'll need reagent for the CYA test too - it's one of the really important numbers to know so that you know what your FC target is.

 

[jsnpckns]

All my numbers listed "Taylor kit" are from a k2006 test kit. I just don't have any salt or CYA reagents left. I have a new kit on order but it won't be here until the 17th. I edited my original post to remove the extraneous, except the CYA which after doing the math on my volume and volume of added stabilizer, are in the right ball park.

 

[Deb04]

I’m a little surprised that your FC is only 6 given that you have the same SWG I have and you run it at about the same % with 2 more hours, but I have almost 3 times the amount of water. I know I’m in far more north than you are, but that’s a lot of SWG running for a small pool. The CYA number is going to be critical, when you can test it.