Season Startup

[ollie2308]

Hello everyone. I have been a successful BBB user since my 18k concrete pool was built 10 years ago. Just opened for the season and would like confirmation on what to balance first. Here are my numbers.

FC / TC - 0
PH -7.8
CYA - 0
TA - 40
CH - 90

Should I concentrate on the TA and CYA first ?

Thanks
Ollie

[Themadczar]

Top priority is chlorine... Get some in there pronto. How much cya did you have when you closed in the fall?

[ollie2308]

Thanks Eric.... Not sure about the CYA at closing. I have 4lbs left over from last season which I can add today along with chlorine...

[Themadczar]

Hold off on that... If you had cya at close, but now there is none, it may have been converted to ammonia by bacteria... Shock your pool in the evening and see if your fc level holds overnight... PH is the second thing to focus on, but definitely start with chlorine

[ollie2308]

Thanks Eric.... Did not see your post before adding the 4lbs of stabilizer on Sunday , however, I have been holding TC at 5 since then. Here are my latest numbers using PS233 kit

FC 8
CC 0
TC 5
PH 7.2
ALK 50
CAL 300+ *may have old agents as the R-0011L barley turned Red and ran out of R-0012 before it changed to a 'Blue'
CYA < 20

Anxious to know your thoughts

Thanks again
Ollie

[Watermom]

My guess is that, unless you have replaced your reagents, they may be old. That PS233 kit is pretty old. Also, you can't have a FC of 8 with a TC of 5. FC + CC = TC always.

[CarlD]

It takes at least 48 hours if not longer for CYA to dissolve. Initially, your easiest route, ironically, would have been tri-chlor tabs! FC=0, pH=7.8, CYA=0? Trichlor adds FC, Acid and CYA.

HOWEVER, at this point, I'd wait and see if CYA comes up. Otherwise...it is impossible to have FC = 8, CC= 0 and TC=5. because TC = FC + CC always, by definition.

[ollie2308]

Does Ben still sell these kits ?

[Watermom]

No. But, the kit we suggest is pretty much the same thing ---- Taylor K2006 or 2006C (better buy) and you can get it through the test kit link in my signature below. It takes you to an Amazon link. If you buy things from Amazon through that link, the forum make a little money which helps us keep the lights on.

(By the way --- you can order other items besides pool supplies through that link. Once that link gets you to Amazon, you can simply search for what you need. Regardless of what you buy, if the sale starts through that link, the forum benefits from it.)

[ollie2308]

Thanks... Just ordered the 2006C.... Should I just trash the PS233 kit ? (How long will the 2006c kit last ?)

[Watermom]

No way to predict how long it will last depends on how often you test and where you store it. Plus, you'll probably need to replace some stuff that you'll use up faster than others like the CYA test reagent. I typically just use an OTO/Phenol Red kit (yellow and red drops) for daily testing of chlorine and pH and use the big kit occasionally.

I can't say about the PS233. You can test with it and with the new kit and compare results to see if any of it is still good.

[ollie2308]

Thanks guys... Just got the K-2006C kit

Here are my latest results

FC 2.0
CC .5
PH 7.6
TA 60
CH 150
CYA 35


Water is clear. Heavy Rain is expected tomorrow. I have noticed some black algae spots on the bottom and plan on adding 2 bottles of 8.25 bleach this evening. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

[gkrupkin]

scrub the algae with a brush before you add the bleach. Will help kill the stuff.

[Watermom]

gkrupkin is right that you want to brush the pool but do it in reverse order; shock the pool and then brush it while the chlorine is high.

[ollie2308]

Morning everyone...

Just picked up some PoolBrand Shock at Sams Club and want to focus on my CYA and FC. How much do I add initially ?

My CH also seem low. Any thoughts on that ? or my other numbers

Thanks everyone for their help

Ollie