chemical levels...Still learning

We left the pool open over the winter not really maintaining the water, just keeping the leaves out. It looks pretty good...a little cloudy... but I want to get it adjusted before it gets too hot and problems start to develop. Toward the end of last season I started using the Taylor K-2006 test kit and the BBB method...before that always used the pool store to start it up and maintain. One question I have about the BBB method is do I need to use tablets in the skimmer? I haven't seen that anywhere.

Any help on my levels is appreciated.

Testing the water on Friday the FC: 1 , CC:1.5, PH:7.6, ALK; 100, CAL:150, CYA:30, Saturation -.3 (If I am using the chart correctly)


In-ground 23,000, Vinyl, Purex Triton II Sand Filter,

You never use Trichlor tabs in the skimmer, at least when the pump isn't always running, because when the pump goes off the lack of circulation has the area around the Trichlor tab become very acidic and damaging. Also, the BBB method generally uses chlorinating liquid or bleach as the primary source of chlorine. You would only use Trichlor tabs if you were trying to build up your Cyanuric Acid (CYA) level or were on vacation and needed automatic dosing of chlorine (for up to a week).

Your FC level is too low for your CYA level. You should be following the levels in the Best Guess Chlorine Chart

Thanks for the trichlor tab info. I did see that yesterday while reading. I had never heard that before...can't believe I have used them for all of these years:/ Yes I have been using liquid bleach using the BBB.
Looking at the Best guess chart if I am reading it correctly I need to bring my FC up to at least 3 and that looks like 15 PPM. Looking at the book with my test kit I should add at least 3 gallons maybe 4 to bring it up. Just checking to make sure I am reading the chart correctly.

To maintain through the season I should test weekly and add Chlorine as needed (what is the ideal CYA and FC level for a 23,000 gal. pool) and I should keep the PH and ALK balanced using my kit. I am so anxious to see how well this is going to work after all of the money I have spent over the years. You and all of the others on this site are such a BLESSING and wealth of knowledge!! THANK YOU!!

Well, 3ppm FC is the minimum level for your CYA. Target about 5 under normal conditions. However, your CC indicates that you need to bring your FC up to 15ppm until you get CC down to <0.5. Read up on the overnight loss test too.

As for your CYA goal, it really depends on how much FC you lose during the day. If you get a lot of sun, you may want to raise it a tad as CYA helps protect FC, sort of like a sunscreen. I keep my CYA at 30ish because my daily loss is between 1-1.5ppm. If you lose more than 2-2.5, I would consider raising that CYA slowly until your daily loss is no greater than that.