New to BBB method

[Slachey]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and the BBB method, but really like what I am reading here. This is the first spring with our new above ground pool (18' x 33' x 54") and my wife just came back from the pool store with hundreds of dollars of chemicals including a start-up kit and chlorine tabs. As I am new to this method of pool care, what are my first steps to move forward with weaning me off the pool store? I should point out that I do not cover my pool in the winter despite living in PA, just started the filter / pump a couple of days ago and added an algae and metal chemical. I also placed 6 tabs of chlorine into the auto-chlorinator. I was going to shock it next, but would prefer to move on with the BBB now if possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[PoolDoc]

If you haven't used any of those chemicals, DON'T USE THEM. Instead list them, one by one using exact brand/maker name AND listed chemical ingredients and post that list here.

Meanwhile, go get 10 gallons of PLAIN 8% store brand bleach, and a CHEAP OTO / phenol red test kit. Test your pH, and then begin adding 1 gallon of bleach each EVENING to your pool

BUT . . . if you filled with well water, CAUTION! If you did, tell us what the INSIDE of your toilet tank looks like (metals in the water 'test'), and add only 1/4 gallon of bleach each evening. Post ASAP, since 1/4 gallon won't always guarantee your pool stays clear.

By the way, though the "BBB" refers to bleach, borax, and baking soda, the reference is somewhat symbolic. When I started PoolSolutions in 1996, those were the pool 'chemicals' available in the grocery store for less. The point was never that bleach, borax, and baking soda were the ONLY chemicals, but rather that we taught people to use what they needed, from the cheapest source available, and to avoid using the many unnecessary or blended chemicals so popular in the pool industry.

[Slachey]

Thanks for the reply Ben.

Unfortunately I have been out of the country and my wife did in fact shock the pool with CHLOR BRITE Sanitizer and FRESH 'N CLEAR Oxidizing Shock. I went out and purchased a Taylor K-2006 Test Kit and plan on testing the water this weekend. I apologize for not getting this post until now, but work got in the way. We have had terrible rain the Northeast over he last couple of days so I do not know if this will skew the test results if I perform them tomorrow, but I will try to post over the weekend. Is there anything specific you would like to know? Thanks again!

[CarlD]

No, go ahead and test. I've had the same rain in NJ (!) and it may well dilute all the stuff your wife put in that we'd shy away from. Backwashing, if the pool is really full may be good to get some of that stuff out.

[Slachey]

Thanks Carl.

I will backwash tomorrow to lower the water level and then test. Are there any specific test results that you guys want to see? The kit I purchased appears to have the ability to run quite a few. Thanks again.

[CarlD]

I'd test 5 things:
FC and CC (use the 10ml mark, not the 25ml mark--save your chems and 10ml is all you need for accuracy--I rarely if ever bother with 25ml)
pH
T/A-Total Alkalinity
CH (calcium hardness, just for reference. Unless your CH is really high you won't need to bother with it again till closing)
CYA/Stabilizer/Condition

Ignore the acid demand and base demand tests. For 99.99% of us they tell us nothing and confuse us. For pool pros like Ben (PoolDoc) and Chem_Geek they are occasionally useful, but most of the time, they don't use them either.

If you have a pool thermometer, the temp wouldn't be a bad thing to know.

You can't test metals with the K2006, but don't worry about that for now.

[PoolDoc]

The ones you want to run are: chlorine (FC + CC), pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and stabilizer (CYA).

These videos will help: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6uoMdT1vO11pgLbOSl99CY_BQXE1Jx6s

[Slachey]

Will do gentlemen. Thank you!

[Slachey]

So I ran the above tests with a water temp of ~ 58 degrees;

FC - 8 ppm
CC - 0ppm
TA - 50 ppm
CH - 200ppm
CYA - 80 to 90 ppm
PH - 7.4

I should point out that we do have the auto chlorinator hooked up with chlorine tabs in it.

What do you recommend I do for my next steps?

Thanks again for your assistance.

[Watermom]

First thing I would do if it were my pool is quit using the trichlor chlorine tabs. They are adding CYA and yours is already a little high. Not a problem but you don't want it any higher. You will need to run a little higher than normal chlorine levels as a result. Take a look at the Best Guess Chlorine Chart in my signature below for the correlation between CYA and needed chlorine levels. (If you already have tabs in there now that are wet, let them go ahead and dissolve but just don't use any more.)

Your TA is a little low. You might want to add a little baking soda to try and bump it up to around 80-100 or so. Work on this gradually instead of one big dose. Maybe a cup or two at a time. Pour it into the skimmer slowly while the pump is running.

How did your CH get to 200? Are you using cal-hypo or have you added any calcium or do you just have hard water?

I would suggest just using bleach for your source of chlorine from now on.

Hope this helps.

[Slachey]

Thanks for the reply Watermom.

I will add the Baking Soda to increase the TA level to 80-100. After I add the "cup at a time" how long do I let circulate before I test the TA level? As for the CH, I have never added anything, that I know of, that would have increased this to the level it currently is.

As for using the bleach, how do I know how much to add to my pool for "Regular maintenance"? I have not been able to find that anywhere as of yet.

Thanks again.

[Slachey]

One more thing if I may ask...When I tested the Combined Chlorine, it did not even register, so I assume that means it is "0". Does that represent a problem?

[PoolDoc]

0 CC is GOOD!