Help with starting new pool

[rdefino]

I have just had an 18x34 AG installed and just received my Complete k-2006 test kit. Most of the pool was filled from a taker of pool water. I guess it's treated for chlorine and other stuff...not sure.

So I'm not sure where to start. I looked at you SS Recipe but it's loos more for the intex pools. Not sure if that's what I should follow?

Any directions would be great.

thanks

[rdefino]

So just tested for Free combined chlorine and after adding the 2 scoops DPD power to a 25ml sample the water didn't change color at all.

Should I add chlorine powder? Bleach? I'm not sure. ;)

[PoolDoc]

1. Use the 10ml sample -- it's accurate to 0.5 ppm, and that's plenty close enough. The smaller sample size saves test reagents.

2. Add 2 gallons of plain 8% bleach, this evening if possible.

3. Watch the Taylor test videos:
http://pool9.net/tk-guide/
http://pool9.net/tk-interfere/

4. Either before adding bleach, or else sometime tomorrow, do a full set of tests on the pool EXCEPT the CYA test. I assume you've added no CYA, so there's no need to test for it yet. Post the results here.

5. Unless there are metals (iron!) in your fill water, you CAN use the SSR approach, but you'll have to scale the doses up your pool's size, which is 17.8 gallons, assuming a 54" side wall. However, you can only use that approach for the first two months.

Good luck!

[rdefino]

Not sure if my post went through or there is a delay when I post, but here it is again.

I didn't add the bleach yet. But here are my test results.

No clorine
Ph 7.0
Alk 30ppm
Calcium 30ppm


Should I still add the 2gals of bleach?

[PoolDoc]

Yes. add the bleach.

And yes, there's a delay -- users who register 'anonymously' are moderated, so that their posts don't appear till checked. By anonymous, I mean without any data I can use to easily verify that they aren't spammers, who constantly try to register and fake their way in.

Once a users has posted enough for us to be sure AND we get past the 'hump' we upgrade. But that won't happen till after July 4th.

[rdefino]

Ok, thanks. I added the bleach.

Shoudl I test for Free Chlorine-combind tomorrow? should I test everything else to?

I added a signature. Not sure it that helps with the Anonymous.

[PoolDoc]

No, you don't have do another K2006 test.

As long as your pool is clear, just add a gallon of bleach each PM, till you work out a plan. Your pH is pretty low, so you should probably also add a box of borax -- slowly, to the skimmer, with the pump on.

Get a cheap OTO / phenol red kit for quick tests -- skip the bleach dose if the OTO test shows dark yellow or orange.

Meanwhile, you need to decide what's next. Dichlor is a chlorinating powder that adds 9 ppm stabilizer for every 10 ppm of chlorine. It's very soluble and easy to add, and is the basis (with borax) of the SS recipe. You can get it at Sams Club quite cheaply:
http://pool9.net/sams-dichlor24/
http://pool9.net/sam-dichlor50/

You *may* be able to find it at Home Depot, Lowes or Ace Hardware -- look for a dichlor that has at least 56% "available chlorine" and NO copper listed.

Eventually, you have to stop using dichlor, because your stabilizer will get too high. But for now, you can use it, along with borax, to maintain your pool.
mfhache

[rdefino]

So I have some supplies that came with the pool. Would like t use these up if possible.

I got:

2lb bag of PH Plus for Rainging Ph levels
http://www.buckmansinc.com/store/pH-Plus-Soda-Ash-Dense/Splash-pH-Plus-Soda-Ash-Dense---2-Pound-Pouch-PSA2-O4I_102.aspx

A box of "once a week" bottles that contain "sodium dicloro-s-trazinetrione" Available chlorine 35% . 2lbs bottles

It came with 4 bottles of this, and some grey big tablets that go in the filter.

Can i use any of this before buying other stuff?

thanks

[PoolDoc]

The soda ash should be OK, but you only need it if your pH goes below 7.0.

The other stuff? Not so much.

The diluted dichlor *may* be OK, if it has no copper. The grey tablets are something new for me. Can you provide EXACT maker and product names. Meanwhile, do NOT use those grey tablets.

[rdefino]

ok thanks. For the 2lb bag of soda ash, how should I add it and how much? Should I just add 1lb to the filter, or dilute on a bucket of water first.

[PoolDoc]

You can scatter it in the pool -- but unless your pH is low, don't do so!

[rdefino]

PH was 7.0, so should I use or is 7.0 ok?

[Watermom]

If I had a pH of 7.0 in my pool, I'd add a little to bump it up some. You're actually ok at 7.0 but never lower than that.

[rdefino]

So is adding bleach a replacement for chlorine? Or just something that is needed every once in a while. Little confused on that.

Just trying to figure this all out and getting a little over whelmed. But thanks for the help!!!

[PoolDoc]

Bleach is chlorine + salt
Dichlor is chlorine + stabilizer + a little acid
Trichlor is chlorine + stabilizer + a lot of acid
Cal hypo is chlorine + calcium + alkalinity
Lithium hypo is chlorine + lithium + $$$ ;)
Salt generators are chlorine + electricity + a little base

[Watermom]

Bleach is chlorine. It is 8.25% sodium hypochlorite. Same thing pool stores sell but usually either 10 or 12.5% sodium hypochlorite. Many of us use it as our source of chlorine instead of buying the often more expensive pool store versions.

Like Ben said above, you can use the Super Simple Start-up Recipe even though you don't have an intex pool. That recipe can really be used for any freshly filled pools. http://pool9.net/ssr/

If you haven't already done so, it would also be beneficial to you to read over on our sister website www.poolsolutions.com

Feel free to come back with any further questions. That is why we are here! :)

[Watermom]

Simul-post again! ;)

[rdefino]

Thanks for the help guys. I just tested free/combined and it doesn't register pink in the test, still clear. PH is 7.2 now. I'm looking to go to Sams and get some Chlorine: http://www.samsclub.com/sams/prod4340004.ip .

Also, reading the posts that was mentioned. :)

Also, picking up phenol red kit .

[Watermom]

Good deal. Let us know if you have further questions and we'll try and help.

[rdefino]

Thank you!

One question. I was given 4 bottles of an unnamed brand of chlorine called once-a-week when I got the pool. The ingredients are :
sodium dichloro-s-trazinetrione 57%
Available chlorine 35%


There is no mention of copper, just Other ingredients 43%.

Think this is safe to use instead of bleach till I get more chlorine at sams?

[PoolDoc]

No guarantees, but it's probably OK.

Is there a reason why you're not telling us exactly what it is?

[BigDave]

Do you have any other information, manufacturer? anything to indicate what the other ingredients are?

Sorry, Simul-post

[rdefino]

I just came back from my local pool store and they have this same exact stuff there. They said the bottles have no copper in it. The large gray tablets contain silver.

The box this stuff came in says "Enjoy". Looks like some kit put together to make it easy for a pool owner or something. MFG by N Jonas & co.

They tested my water and said I need 20lbs of Alkalinity increase, 25lbs of hardness control and chlorine. $ tablets a weeks of the stuff they sell. I didn't grab anything yet, just wanted to see if they sold this box of stuff to get more info on it.

Any thought on there test?

[PoolDoc]

They tested my water and said I need 20lbs of Alkalinity increase, 25lbs of hardness control and chlorine.

Any thought on there test?

Any thoughts? Why yes, I do! ;)

1. You have escaped being 'pool-stored'!

2. AG pools NEVER need added hardness. Not ever.

3. Dealer testing programs originally ran on "mini-computers" in the late 60's and were developed by the MARKETING department of a large chem company. From the beginning, it was designed to sell chemicals, and NOT to solve pool problems!

[Watermom]

Can't comment on their test. You listed no results and secondly, pool stores often give bogus results. You've got a K2006 kit; do your own tests that you know you can trust.

Your alk is low so you could raise it but instead of buying their pricey stuff, you can just use plain 'ole baking soda for that.

A vinyl pool NEVER needs calcium but that is one of the things pool stores always seem to want to sell you.

I have no idea about those gray tablets but I wouldn't use them in my pool!

I also wouldn't trust what the pool store told me was in something. Just because they "told" me that the bottles have no copper in them wouldn't work for me. I would want to read the bottle myself.

Bottom line --- pool stores want to make money. They will try and sell you any and everything. Can you say ka-ching$$$!

[rdefino]

How come Vinyl pools do need calcium. Does it have to do with the gunite finish?

[PoolDoc]

Water is 'hungry' for calcium, to a point, and will 'rob' it from the plaster and walls of a concrete pool. But in vinyl and FG pools . . . there's nothing to rob.