new pool glad i found this forum

[udg21]

i set up my new pool friday before memorial day it is the pro series walmart 16 by 48 .
i have been using bleach and a cheap walmart oto kit whats the cheapest i can use to get my cya where it needs to be?

[AnnaK]

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

The quickest is granular stabilizer. You will probably need 2 pounds for a CYA level of 50 ppm. I'm guessing your functional pool volume at 5,000 gallons. You want to buy the smallest amount you can find (2 pounds) and look for "100% cyanuric acid" on the label. It's sometimes called 'conditioner' or 'balancer'.

You should also consider a test kit with better capabilities and more accuracy. We recommend the Taylor K-2006 test kit. The HTH 6-way drops kit is a great starter kit, and is compatible with the K2006 (it's made by Taylor). Since we are all familiar with the K-2006 (and can help you with it) we recommend it exclusively ( Test kit info page (http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?16551) )

If you haven't already done so, please complete our new Pool Chart form -- it takes about 30 seconds, but will save much more than that. It's much easier to answer your questions, when we know something about your pool.

Pool Chart Entry Form (http://goo.gl/cNPUO)
Pool Chart Results (http://goo.gl/PXaLu)

[udg21]

thanks i already did the pool chart, i also have the taylor kit now i just need to learn how to use it what is the best way to add the stabilizer?

[Watermom]

You can put it in an old sock and hang it in front of a return jet. Give the sock a squeeze every now and then to help it dissolve faster. Remove the sock before you add other chemicals through the skimmer.

Another method is to pour the CYA into the skimmer and let it dissolve in your filter. Just keep your filter running 24/7 for 4 or 5 days while it is dissolving and don't clean the filter during that time period or you'll just throw the CYA out.

[AnnaK]

Thank you for filling out the Pool Chart!

Now that you have your test kit, why not post a full set of test results next time you run them? If we see any issues we can help you resolve them.

[aylad]

If you haven't already bought your stabilizer, you might want to check at WalMart--it's the cheapest I've seen. My WalMart sells it in a 4-lb container in the spa section, and label it "balancer". Check the ingredient label, like Anna said, and look for cyanuric or isocyanuric acid.

[udg21]

thanks i will look at walmart.

[Watermom]

Read the label and make sure there are no other funky ingredients in there! We are finding that many chemical companies are making voo-doo blends with lots of stuff that will mess up your pool!

[udg21]

Read the label and make sure there are no other funky ingredients in there! We are finding that many chemical companies are making voo-doo blends with lots of stuff that will mess up your pool!

thanks i finally purchased the borax and balnce at walmart i think its 3 lbs for like 7.87 can the kids still swim while i add this stuff ?

[Watermom]

Yes.

Why don't you go ahead and run a full set of tests and post them before you add anything else. Then, we can help you figure out amounts to add. Also, how are you planning to add the CYA. (I listed a couple of different ways in one of the posts earlier in this thread.)

[udg21]

i will do the sock method i didnt want to do a cya test till i know some is there all i have added to the pool since opening is bleach and 2 or 3 1 inch chlorine tablets in the first couple of days till i found this forum

[Watermom]

I agree that you shouldn't waste the CYA reagents by doing a test yet. I should have been more specific. Run the chlorine tests and pH and alk. Post those numbers.

Using an old sock to add CYA is fine. Just don't let the kids play with it.

[udg21]

ok thanks

[udg21]

help ok i disolved the sock of cya, i tested and says
must have no chlorine the test never turned pink
the ph was under 7 done the demand test and took 10 drops to turn ph purple
total alk test says 50 ppm

went ahead and added 16 oz of bleach waited 10 minutesand added a 30 oz cup of borax

[Watermom]

How much CYA did you put in the sock? And, on the Borax, did you put in 30 oz. or a cup?

Adding 2 cups (16oz.) of bleach will only add a little less than 2ppm of chlorine. (Each cup will add approximately 0.8ppm -- a little under 1ppm.) That is not enough and will be gone fast. Test your chlorine level morning and evening and each time, add enough bleach to get the chlorine level back up to 6. After about 3 or 4 days, you should be able to go to just testing in the evenings only and then also you'll want to add however much bleach you need to get back to 6ppm of chlorine.

Wait about 4 days before doing the CYA test. Don't worry about the alk right now.

[udg21]

i added roughly a pound and a half to the sock and after an hour kept squeezing it till it disolved.
i added the borax with a 30 oz cup roughly a quarter box. (i am using a hospital cup marked by the oz.)

[Watermom]

A pound and a half of CYA was a good amount. It should add about 40ppm of CYA which would be a good level.

Add more bleach this evening and then test again in the morning as I mentioned in a previous post. Also, test pH in the morning as well. Report back in the morning. Looks like you are doing well.

[udg21]

ok
3.6 fc
.4 cc
7 ph
took 5 drops for base demand test to get 7.6
added 16 oz bleach.

should i also add another 30 oz cup of borax?

[Watermom]

Yes. Add more borax.

[BigDave]

One note: I see from your chlorine readings (3.6ppm FC and 0.4ppm CC) that you are probably using the 25ml sample size for your chlorine tests (multiply drop count by 0.2ppm). You can save your testing reagents by using the 10ml sample (multiply drop count by 0.5ppm). 0.5ppm is plenty acccurate enough to run a pool. Another way to conserve your test reagents is to use 1 dipper of DPD poweder instead of two - if the sample turns pink, you have plenty of powder.

[udg21]

Ok just tested this evening few minutes ago
Fc 3.6
Cc .2
Ph 7.7

I added more borax at 4 oclock looks like Ph pretty good.after the test I just added 20 oz bleach am I ok?

[aylad]

Looks good. How does your water look?

Janet

[udg21]

the water looks good,and feels good too. thanks

[AnnaK]

Nice work! I see from your test results you're still using the 25 ml sample size. You may want to go back in this thread to post #20 by BigDave for tips on how to save reagents by using a smaller sample size.