Test results, 1st week as pool owner, questions???

Well, we have been swimming in our pool for one full week. It's a 18x36 in ground vinyl pool. We don't have the concrete around it yet, just a bunch of dirt waiting to settle.

We are doing out best to keep all the dirt out and do a pretty good job except for the heavy rain we had last Saturday, which made me spend a couple of hours vacuuming.

Here are my test results, I used Ben's PS234 kit which is super nice. Test was done last night.

FC: 5 (has been here all week)
CC: 0
TC: 5
pH: 7.2 (started at 7.2 but went down to 6.8 about mid week and I added a half box of Borax which brought it back to 7.2.)
Alk: 80 (was 90 when pool first opened but has dropped to 80, I had my jets rippling the water and believe this made the Alk drop, I have sense aimed them more downward).
Cal: 70
Cya: 30
Temp 84
Salt: 0

I'm using Tri-chlor tabs in the skimmer right now but I have an AutoPilot Dig-48 that I'm going to install after the builder finishes up on the concrete.

Questions:

1. Builder said to shock once a week. Well at the end of the first week I still show no CC. Is it still necessary to shock?

2. My FC has been 5 or 5.5 all week. I started off, as the builder suggested, with two 3" tabs in the skimmer until the were almost dissolved, then I would add two more. I have since dropped back to one tab which last about two days but the FC still stays around 5ppm. Should I worry about dropping the TC or is it OK for a few weeks until I get my SWG installed?

3. Should I raise my Alk any or is it OK at 80?

4. Any idea how much CYA each tab adds to the pool? I know I need to get it up to between 60-80 for the SWG but I don't want to go over that.

Anything else I should look out for?

Thanks,

Russell

Russell, sounds like things are under control. No need to shock if you have no CC and the FC is holding. I would suggest making use of the waterproof sheets you recieved with you PS234 to track the increase in cya. 80 is the low end of alk for both your pool and the SWG, if you want a 'comfort zone' add some baking soda, so you have 'room to play', or a margin for error :) The only other thing to look out for is someone doing a 'cannonball' on you while you're swimming in your pool:D

Thanks for the reply. I think I'll dump in a 4lb box of Baking Soda tomorrow, which according to Bleach Calc, should get me closer to 95 for Alk and with my ph at 7.2 I seem to have a little room for it to go up with that much baking soda.

Does that sound about right?

Russell

The trichlor pucks are what is keeping your pH down--when you stop using them, and especially when you start using your SWG, keep a close eye on it because it's going to tend to rise instead of fall. Make sure you have some muriatic or dry acid on hand!

Janet

Muriatic acid is a better choice for a SWG. Also, your CYA once the SWG goes online should be 60-80 ppm. The pucks should get you there or close to it so that is your best choice right now. If your CYA gets up around 80 STOP USING THE PUCK and switch to bleach until the SWG goes online. If you add baking soda to increase the alk you will find that your pH goes up. You might need to bring it back down a bit with some acid if it goes above 7.6. (some people say 7.8)