New pool start with what first??

[Steve V]

Just finished filling 24 ag sharkline heritage pool. Pump is running and I am ready to add the chemicals. Using the BBB method I have liquid chlorine. I have stabilizer. What goes in first. Water came from my well and is crystal clear and already 78 degrees. I have a new solar cover ready to go on as well. Please advise:)

[PoolDoc]

Do you know if your well has iron or other metals in it?

If it does, and you add chlorine, the iron will likely will immediately drop out and make a big mess.

If you are SURE it does not have iron, begin adding 1/2 gallon of bleach nightly. Vacuum and remove all debris (there may not be any -- if not, skip this.) Backwash or clean your filter and restart it. Set your pump to run 24/7.

THEN . . . add stabilizer to the skimmer, at the rate of 3 lbs per 10,000 gallons of pool water. Add it slowly, so you do not choke the skimmer. Continue to add bleach at the rate of 1/2 gallon each EVENING. Let your pump run for 5 days, without backwashing.

Meanwhile, tell us your
+ pump & filter make/model
+ heater, SWCG, cleaner if any.
+ how you are planning to test.

BUT . . . if you do have iron, see if you can find some polyquat (http://pool9.net/polyquat/) locally. Follow the label, and add an 'algae dose' followed by maintenance doses. Add chlorine at the rate 2 cups via the skimmer at night.

AND tell us what you know about your metal situation.

[Steve V]

In 2011 I drianed 75% of the old pool and refilled from the same well with no issues. Soooo my guess would be I don't have a metal problem.

I have a sand filter with 1.5 hp pump Haywood.

Been using the BBB method with no issues in the past.

Some duumbass cut a tree down on the old pool...that would be me.

I am using the Taylor kit that the site recomends.

[PoolDoc]

Then you may want to read the SS recipe -- it works for any freshly filled pool, but the doses will be on the small side for you.

However, if you have access to inexpensive undiluted dichlor, via Sams Club, using it makes an easy start-up, since you are adding chlorine and stabilizer at the same time. It's still a fairly good deal if you have to buy online. Links below.

Also, till you are able to post a full set of test results, use borax to raise your pH if needed, and muriatic acid, if you need to lower it. (See http://pool9.net/ma/ for instructions on safe use.)


PoolBrand granular dichlor 50lbs (http://www.samsclub.com/prod4340004.ip) @ Sams Club => ~$2.20/lb (May 2014 in Chattanooga)
PoolBrand dichlor bagged shock 24lbs (http://www.samsclub.com/108822.ip) @ Sams Club => ~$2.50/lb (May 2014 in Chattanooga)

Kem-Tek dichlor 22 lbs (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0030BEHZA/scouscho-20) @ Amazon => ~$3.50/lb (May 2014)
Kem-Tek dichlor 12 lbs (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0030BEHZ0/scouscho-20) @ Amazon => ~$4.10/lb (May 2014)
Kem-Tek dichlor 5 lbs (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0015UIOWK/scouscho-20) @ Amazon => ~$5.00/lb (May 2014)
Kem-Tek dichlor 2 lbs (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0030BEI40/scouscho-20) @ Amazon => ~$9.00/lb (May 2014)

Keep in mind that Amazon products normally ship free; and that in many parts of the country, you will not have to pay sales tax. Shipping + tax can increase the cost from other suppliers by 15 - 40%, so compare delivered cost, not nominal price.

[Steve V]

Ok how about this I work across the street from themhttp://www.lowes.com/pd_301385-1772-05931AQU_4294610249__?Ntt=pool+chemicals&UserSearch=pool+chemicals&identifier=Pool-Chemicals%2FPool-Chlorine-Dispensers%2FGranular-Pool-Chlorine&productId=3031657&rpp=32&searchQueryType=1

Also can I put the solar cover on to keep it clean?

[PoolDoc]

NO!

Stay away from anything with an Aqua Chem or Pool Time label. These are BioLab (also owns BioGuard) brands, and have been used to pioneer some of the most predatory and worthless pool chemical voodoo soup blends.

I'm sure they sell some products that are OK, but until you are adept at reading chemical labels, those 2 brands should be a the BOTTOM of your list. I can see enough of that product picture, to tell that it's a diluted product, but not to see just what's in it. One problem with Pool Time / Aqua Chem is that they reformulate products regularly, so you cannot depend on the product name. That is, Aqua Chem 'Sum-Sooper-Chlorine-Sparkles' may have been 99% dichlor dihydrate / 55% available chlorine (good!) last year, but be a voodoo blend of dichlor + copper sulfate + borax + aluminum sulfate, with only 25% available chlorine, with pool staining copper added to the mix, this year!

[PoolDoc]

Look for these:


PoolBrand granular dichlor 50lbs (http://www.samsclub.com/prod4340004.ip) @ Sams Club => ~$2.20/lb (May 2014 in Chattanooga)
PoolBrand dichlor bagged shock 24lbs (http://www.samsclub.com/108822.ip) @ Sams Club => ~$2.50/lb (May 2014 in Chattanooga)

Kem-Tek dichlor 22 lbs (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0030BEHZA/scouscho-20) @ Amazon => ~$3.50/lb (May 2014)
Kem-Tek dichlor 12 lbs (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0030BEHZ0/scouscho-20) @ Amazon => ~$4.10/lb (May 2014)
Kem-Tek dichlor 5 lbs (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0015UIOWK/scouscho-20) @ Amazon => ~$5.00/lb (May 2014)
Kem-Tek dichlor 2 lbs (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0030BEI40/scouscho-20) @ Amazon => ~$9.00/lb (May 2014)

Keep in mind that Amazon products normally ship free; and that in many parts of the country, you will not have to pay sales tax. Shipping + tax can increase the cost from other suppliers by 15 - 40%, so compare delivered cost, not nominal price.

[Steve V]

results so far FC 6 CC .5
FH 7.3..low
Cya is not showing yet
I am using the 50lb bucket from Sams.
Water is clear and 82.
I will get some borax and raise that PH

[Watermom]

Looking good!