New Pool-Starting the chemical regimen

[Labpool]

HI there, first pool and first post on the forum. I have a 21' round dough boy (approx. 10,000 gal) pool. Just setup and filled yesterday. I've got a Doughboy Power-Pak 1hp pump with Sequel-1 DE filter I think? I do have the Taylor test kit, but this a.m. tested with cheapo kit just to see the ph. It was above the highest reading I believe 8.5? I added a gallon of 10% chlorine this a.m. and I am on my way to get 3# (?) CYA. Am I gonna add the CYA straight into skimmer or tie in a sock? I'm wondering what to worry about first, ph, chlorine, or both? As for the PH what are my options? Thanks again for any info.

[Watermom]

You need to lower the pH. Use some muriatic acid -- maybe a cup a time --- added slowly in front of a return jet. Wait a couple of hours, retest pH and redose as needed. (Don't try and measure the acid. Pouring it in a measuring cup could cause splashing. Just guestimate about a cup when you pour. Read the following about using muriatic acid safely. Using Muriatic Acid Safely (http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?13111-Using-Muriatic-Acid-to-Safely-Lower-Your-Pool-s-pH.html)

3 lbs. of CYA would be about right. You can add it either way. Your choice. Both are fine. But, if you do add it to the skimmer (which is the way I add it), pour it in slowly so it won't clog the pipes. Then, make sure you run the pump 24/7 for at least 4 or 5 days while it is dissolving in the filter. Don't test for it for about a week so you don't waste your reagents.

Go ahead and get some chlorine in the pool so it won't turn green! In your pool, each quart of 10% chlorine will add about 2.5ppm of chlorine. For the first week or so until the CYA dissolves, you'll need to test at least morning and evening and each time, add enough chlorine to get back up to around 5 or so. After the CYA registers (and 3 lbs. should put you at around 40ppm), you'll be able to go to testing and adding chlorine in the evening only. At that point, add enough bleach in the evenings to get the cl back up to 6ppm. When you test it the following evening, you will still want it to be at least 3ppm. Then, you take it back up to 6ppm again.

Hope this helps. Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[CarlD]

You are going to want to test your pH daily at a minimum until it gets where you want it.

Carl

[Labpool]

Ok, will do. Luckily I read quite a bit before going to the store. I picked up muriatic acid and CYA as well. I will do just as you said and hopefully all will be right. Thanks again for all the info. and quick replies.

[aylad]

Just wanted to welcome you to the forum, and congrats on the pool and for doing your homework ahead of time--it'll make pool keeping SO much easier! :)

Janet

[Labpool]

Thanks for the warm welcome Janet........ I did as Watermom suggested and added a cup of acid and some more chlorine this evening. I've got the chlorine over 3 ppm (that was as high as the cheap test kit I had went, though I could tell by color it was slightly higher) and ph came down to 7.2! CYA dissolved nicely in the skimmer. So, looks as though I'm on the right track. I'll keep checking morning and evening and adding chlorine as needed...... Two questions; 1. When is it safe to get in the pool? It does have a vinyl liner and the installation guy had said "not to go in for a couple of days as I may put footprints underneath the liner in the newly tamped sand." I don't mind doing things right, though I would think with the weight of 10,000 gallons of water that the sand won't be going anywhere. Anyone know if there is any truth to his advice? 2. I was looking into chlorine tablets for ease. Everything I looked at had a certain level of hypochlorite (say 49%-89%) and "other ingredients". Most products were HTH brand. Is that a good way to maintain chlorine levels? And if so, what should I look for in tabs? The pool came with a full bucket of HTH dual action tabs. When I looked at ingredients I saw Copper Sulfate and decided to heed advice and not use them as I have read copper is bad for you pool. Thanks again , Andy

[Watermom]

Sounds like you are doing fine. Being smart, too! You are right to not use those pucks. You do NOT want copper in your pool!

I think you are fine to swim. We swam the day our pool was installed.

I would just use bleach for your chlorine. You have already added CYA and chlorine tabs have CYA in them. You don't need more. Stay away from HTH products. They are not good quality and sometimes have a bunch of unwanted junk in them. As Ben says, HTH has gone over to the 'dark side' and you're better off not buying their stuff.

Keep us posted how it is going and let us know if you have any further questions. Enjoy the pool!

[Labpool]

Thanks. Tested this morning....ph-7.2, FC-5.2ppm, TA- 50-60ppm. Couple questions? As far as the chlorine testing is testing for CC a waste of reagent or even necessary? And should I be raising my TA or wait for stabilization to take place?

[Watermom]

My opinion is that you unless you are having some problems, you can use a cheap OTO kit for daily testing and then use the good kit once a week or so to check other levels. Check chlorine every day, pH every day until you get it where you want it and then a couple times per week after that, alk a couple times per month after you get it where you want it, CYA a couple times per summer after you get it where you want it.

If it were my pool, I'd bump the TA up to about 100. Also, pH is ok at 7.2 but you don't want it to drop lower.

Also, if I haven't already done so, I want to thank you for becoming a subscriber. We really appreciate that as it helps keep this forum going!