Newbie...been reading..need specific advice

[coj79]

I have been reading the site for several days, to fast become knowledgable about AG pools. We are installing a 30ft, this week and I have become scared of this whole chemical process....so without further delay:

1. Baquicil or Chlorine....leaning chlorine
2. Test kit I need for this pool? Why?
3. Should I be scared? All the terms, and headaches I read about.....reminds me of chemistry in college....I wasnt the best student....
4. Misc items I may need?

I want to send a whole hearted "Thank You" in advance for your time and efforts in helping my family enjoy a pool....

Charles

[aylad]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!!

Congratulations on the impending new pool, and especially for doing your homework ahead of time so that you can start it up without any problem and enjoy it!!

So, with no further delay..

1. Chlorine, definitely. You will find Bacquacil very expensive in comparison, and when you factor in that it is not a virucide, and doesn't get all bacteria, chlorine is the only way that makes sense. If you don't believe, me, go to the Bacquacil part of the forum (may have to log out to do so, for now) and read through the threads of the people that came here for help with conversion back to chlorine. Save yourself the money, time, and headaches. Chlorine.

2. We recommend the K-2006 or K-2006C kit (same kit, the C version has larger reagent sizes) that can be ordered through the Amazon link in my sig. If you order it through the link, the PF gets a donation from the sale. Make sure that Amato Industries is listed as the seller, though, because some of the other sellers are subsituting a K-2005, which you don't want because it can't measure high levels of chlorine. The K-2006 kit will measure anything you need measured, with the exception of metals. You can depend solely on your own testing and not be at the mercy of the pool store and whatever information, misguided or not, they'll try to sell you. (You can look up "pool-stored" in the Google link in my sig and get an idea of what I mean :) )
3. NO reason to be scared. It seems very overwhelming when you first learn about pool care, but you'll be surprised how simple it really is, once you understand what you're doing. And we'll be glad to help facilitate that process for you in any way that we can.

4. You'll need bleach, stabilizer, and we can tell you what else, if you'll get your test kit, run a set of tests--except for CYA, save the reagent--on your fill water and post them here.

Here's a biggie--what source of water are you using to fill from? If it's from a well, do some serious consideration about filling from a different source that doesn't contain metals--you can read through a few threads in the "metals" forum to understand why. If you're filling with city water, then you should be in good shape. Just test your fill water and report back here with your results.

You're gonna love having a pool..... :cool:

[Watermom]

Another welcome from me, too and another vote for chlorine!! Many people think they are doing fine with Baquacil for the first few years and then end up with water mold that they can't get rid of after awhile. We've seen it happen over and over again, and like Jan said above, we then help walk them through the process of converting back to chlorine. We have NEVER had anyone come back and say, "I wish I stayed with Baquagoop (as we call it around here) but many who have said, "I am so glad I converted." Do yourself a big favor and start out with chlorine right from the get-go.

Glad you joined us and hope you enjoy the forum!

[coj79]

I am going to go chlorine, the guy who I bought the pool from and did our install, put the first round f chemicals. I really like the "BBB" method, b/c I can get it wholesale and cheaper. I will be ordering a test kit you recommended ASAP....Again, I appreciate all your insight and helpful answers.....and so does my girls!

All my best,
Charles

[Watermom]

Hi Charles,
You won't be sorry if you go the BBB route. Your pool maintenance will be easy if you follow these methods. Also, ordering the kit will be a key piece of making things easy. Let us know how things are going for you!

[coj79]

Things are going well...test kit should be in tommorow. Took pool water to pool store, said it all looked good, with 0 CL and 0 TC....CYA were dead on....I came home added 1.5 gal of 6% bleach to get the levels up...I have a 18,500 Gallon AG pool.....How much should I put in? This Texas heat is HOT, HOT, HOT! Thanks in advance!

Charles

[Watermom]

Hi Charles,
If your pool store said all your levels looked good when you had O Cl and 0 TC, then I'd be finding a new pool store! A pool with no chlorine is an open invitation to an algae nightmare! We can't suggest an appropriate dose of bleach without knowing your CYA level. When you get that new kit today, run a full set of numbers and post them and then we can better advise you. You're gonna love that kit!

[aylad]

In your size pool, each 2.5 quarts of 6% bleach will raise your FC by 2 ppm. As Watermom said, once you run a set of numbers, especially CYA, we can help you figure out how much chlorine you need to put in the pool. Do you know what chems the pool company put in the pool?

Janet

[coj79]

CYA was at 40 yesterday afternoon....On Monday, a full 5 days ago it was at 60......

[PoolDoc]

The difference between 40 and 60 ppm is within the testing error of most CYA tests, although strip tests aren't that accurate.

[Watermom]

Take a look at the Best Guess chart in my signature below. With a CYA of 40, you'll want to maintain your chlorine levels between 3-6 ALL the time. If you drop below 3ppm, you risk an algae bloom. So, each evening, add enough bleach to get back to around 6. If you find at the next evening's testing that you have dropped below 3, maybe go just a little higher for the evening dose. (Maybe try 7.)

[coj79]

Gotcha...I will keep you in the loop on this.....Algea scares me...

[coj79]

Guys and gals....

This BBB method, is awesome! A few questions....

1. My water is in perfect shape per my taylor 2006c test kit (CC, TC, PH, CYA, etc).....So, how often do I need to shock? 18,500 gallon pool, means to my fuzzy math......1 gal bleach=6 ppm on a 10,000 gal pool..so I need...6 gal of bleach to get above 15ppm on my 18,500 gal pool?

2. Water softener? Thoughts? Ideas? Am I retarded? The guy who installed the pool put something in the pool and it made it feel silky smooth....no idea what it was.....

3. I can not find polyquat 60% here in DFW? Any ideas?

4. Anyone use this for a timer on their pool pump...http://www.honeywellcentral.com/product/honeywell-aube-indooroutdoor-electronic-timer-ti1062u

charles

[PoolDoc]

#1 - On your pool, 1 gallon = ~3 ppm chlorine
#2 - It's a matter of perception, but to some people, pools with salt feel that way. Borax also has somewhat similar affects, once you start getting above 50 ppm borates.
#3 - It's getting hard to find locally; it's still available online.
#4 - You'd better watch the inductive (motor!) load limit. It is listed for a 1HP motor max, but my experience has been that consumer grade electronics don't do well when you max them out.

[coj79]

When should I shock the pool? Once a week? After heavy usage? What do you all do?

Many thanks in advance..

Charles

[drband]

Most of the time, I only shock when CC is > .5 but I will shock after a very heavy rain storm. If you are able to keep your CL in the recommended range (Ben's chart) you may not need to shock very often at all! Good luck.

[coj79]

FC last night was .6, so I added qty 3, 96 oz bottles of 6% bleach...roughly 2.25 gal....so in my head, I think "pool is 18,500 gal..so...7.4 PPM FC is what it should be in the morning"...

Go back out this morning, re-test...7.4 FC..dead on....0 CC

Tonite...I get 4.6..0 CC....

CYA is hovering around 50 in my Taylor 2006C test kit...(all numbers stated have been double tested)

I am needing to add 1 gal of bleach in this Texas heat....sound right?

[coj79]

tested this morning, and it was a 3.0 fc and 0 cc....cya between 40 and 50....on my tester in the kit....

Should i be averaging 1 gal of bleach a day, or should i raise my cya?

thanks in advance...

charles and family..

[Watermom]

I don't think a gallon of bleach a day in this size pool is excessive. I have a 13K gallon pool and I add 2 to 3 quarts per day. However, you may want to bump the CYA up a little. It would allow you to add bleach a little less often.

[aylad]

I think a gallon a day sounds about right...but I would suggest bumping up the CYA just a little. I'm near Shreveport, so have the same climate as you. I intentionally run mine around 80-90 in order to slow down my chlorine consumption, and this season have been adding the large size WalMart jug (1.4 gallon, I think?) every two days. Might try bumping it up to 60 or so and see if that helps....

Janet

[coj79]

Team,

My CYA is around 40 constant.....how do I get it to 70 to 80? I know buy some "conditioner" and put it in a sock by the return. My question is how much will get me to 80 if I am at a 40, now? This Texas heat is eating the bleach/chlorine.....how much do I add. 18,500 gallon AG...

Many thanks in advance..

Charles

[Watermom]

In your pool, every 1.5 lbs. will add about 10ppm of CYA.