BBB for small pool (6423 gallons)

[sally1019]

For the past 4 years I have set up a small easy set pool (the kind w/the inflatable ring at the top) for my 2 children and each year the pool I have purchased has gotten bigger. I have always followed the kiddie pool guidelines/calculator on PoolSolutions to figure out the startup bleach and borax amounts as well as the daily amt of dichlor powder and twice a week amt of 60% algaecide to add. And then just tested my CL and PH levels daily per the guidelines given. (http://www.poolsolutions.com/gd/kiddie-pool-care.html)

This year I purchased an 18x48 Pro-Series round frame quick set that holds 6423 gallons. It came with a 1500gph pump. I used the kiddie pool calculator to calculate the startup amt of bleach and borax to add. So I added 19c bleach and 4.4c borax. The calculator says to add 0.5c dichlor daily and 0.6c 60% algaecide twice a week. It took a couple days to fill, but it's done and I added my startup bleach/borax yesterday. I added my 0.5c dichlor early this morning as well as my algaecide. My CL is 3.0 and my pH is 7.6 right now.

After reading the kiddie pool definition, it seems my pool is no longer a kiddie pool. I would like to care for this pool using the BBB method and have be reading about it here on the forums. I have ordered the recommended test kit and it is en route.

My questions are:
Is there anything else I should add now?
Should I continue to add the daily 0.5c of dichlor until my test kit arrives and just continue to test my CL and pH levels daily?

Sorry for the lengthy post. I appreciate the help.

[aylad]

I would not add anything else right now, as long as you're able to maintain a pH between 7.0 and 8.0, and maintain at least 3-4 ppm chlorine in the pool...at all times. Have you tested for chlorine again in the evening to make sure it's not dropping to zero? If you're maintaining chlorine and the pH doesnt' drop below 7.0 (dichlor is very acidic and will drive the pH downward), and the water is clear, then I wouldn't change anything else until the kit arrives and you can run a full set of tests.


Congratulations on doing your homework--it'll make caring for your pool SOOOO much easier!!
Janet

[sally1019]

Thanks. Got my kit yesterday. I went ahead and checked my CYA this morning. I have a question. I followed the directions that came w/the kit. I added 7cc pool water and 7cc of reagent and mixed for 30 sec. It says my solution should be cloudy and then to slowly transfer to comparator tube until black dot disappears. My solution wasn't cloudy, so the black dot never disappeared. I assume that is because I haven't added any CYA yet? I'll check everything except CYA tonight to see how much chlorine I have left the sun works its magic on it. I'm going to use the pool calculator to figure how much CYA to add.

[Watermom]

You are correct about the CYA test. If it never got cloudy, then you have no CYA or at least no measurable amount. Since you used some dichlor, you have some CYA but apparently not enough to register yet. In this small pool, each 1/2 lb. of stabilizer will add about 10ppm of CYA.

[sally1019]

First, just wanted to say I subscribed because this site is SO VERY HELPFUL! Thanks.
My readings today:
FC 2.2
pH 7.6
TA 310
CYA <30 (but i'm guessing more than 20 because the dot did disappear when I accidently overflowed the tube)
Based on these readings I added 3c bleach tonight, as recommended by the pool calculator.
I also tested my fill water's TA since my pool tests so high and it was 300.
I have a couple of questions:
Should I add a little more CYA until it's at 40 or is this sufficient? I added 2 lb of the powdered form.
I printed the "Lowering Swimming Pool Alkalinity-A Step by Step Guide." I understand the concept. Just want to make sure before I start the process, it's really necessary to lower the TA. (Because step 1 says - A REAL reason to mess with this.) If so, I'll buy some muriatic acid tomorrow and begin the process of lowering my pH.

[PoolDoc]

With a small pool, and no evidence of high calcium, I don't know that you actually need to *try* to lower your TA. Instead, just get the muriatic acid and use it to keep your pH below 7.6. In the process of doing so, you will eventually lower the TA.

Alternatively, given your (still) low CYA, you could just get a floater and some chlorine tabs, and use those to chlorinate your pool. The tabs would add the chlorine you need, the CYA you still need, and the acidity you'll continue to need till your TA drops some.

[Watermom]

And, thank you very much for becoming a subscriber! We really appreciate all the people who do subscribe as it helps keep our forum online. Glad you are finding the forum helpful. We are glad to have you with us!