CH question / problem?

Hi guys,

Most of you know i just filled my new pool for the first time yesterday. I am keeping a close eye on everything and actually going to brush it down after this post then go to work - come back at lunch and do it all over again.

Ok - last night my reading we're
FC : 3.84
TCL: 4.04
PH: 7.6
AL: 98
CH: 180

I added some muriatic to lower the PH to 7.0 (as per the pool builders advice) added about 64 ounzes of baking soda - 4 boxes, to offset the lowering of the PH from the muriatic.

I also used Pool Calculator.com and added what I thought would bring my CH up from 180 - 260 area. I only used about 1/2 of what the Pool Calc. showed as I know "less is more" and I can always add more.

Now this morning here is my readings:
FC: 3.46
TCL: 3.52
PH: 7.2
AL: 100
CH: 185

So it appears the baking soda helped keep the AL around 100 - but the CH never went up but 5 little points.

I am going to add a little muriatic now before I brush to bring it back to 7.0 - shouldnt take much but I'll check poolcalc. I'll also add about the same amount of calcium flakes as I did last night to see if th kicks it up later.

I do have a concrete pool with marcite with little pebbles...

Any idea why the CH is not moving much? I did check it twice - with different tubes - and got the exact same number...

What are you using as your calcium source: calcium chloride or calcium chloride dihydrate? Are you giving the right pool volume to poolcalc?

Your numbers look great except for your CH which is a little low for a concrete/plaster pool.

You can raise CH with calcium carbonate or Cal-Hypo (also a chlorine source).

But you cannot raise CH with Baking soda.

HI Guys - I have Calcium Chloride flakes - bought a 25 pound box... It's up a little better now but going to add more now and see if I can bring it up a bit more.

Oh by the way - just added 1 gallon of liquid stabilizer. Got my CYA from "LO" to 23.. so it's all getting there :)

I am testing it after adding the flakes - about 2 hours or so after I add.

Now I am adding acid to lower the PH - so far 2 times per day as it keeps popping up because of the new plaster.. So I figure at this point I am going to hold off.

I added some more about 20 minutes ago - I'll test it later and if it's close - I am gonna wait for a week and let the water "settle in"

I did give the right gallons at pool calc. Although I must say the pool builder guessed 15K gallons. I went right off my water meter before and after and got 11948.. So thats what I entered at pool calc.

You're doing a great job--you're almost there! Keep the patience, go slowly, and before long you're gonna have the perfect pool--what shall we bring to the party? :D

I'm glad that you did your homework around here before your pool was started up, and didn't start it up the "pool-stored" way and have to fix the problems. I was that fortunate, too--started reading and learning here about 4 months before my pool was actually built, so I got to avoid a lot of the problems that many of our new posters have when they get here. Your pool seems to be coming along nicely!!

Janet

Thanks!
Just bring towels - i'll have the steaks, beer, and vodka :)

The pool is coming along. The PH is already stabilizing. The pool builder said several weeks but it stayed at 7.1 all night. My kids swam ALL DAY and it was 7.4. BUT I brought it back down to 7.0 just to make the pool guy happy.

Still running the pump 24/7 - but I am thinking after saturday i'll start programming.

So far so good. COULD NOT have done it without you all.

What was funny was that my landscaping guy was over and we got to talking about pool maintenance. He gets black algae, green algae. But not alot. He NEVER tests! I was SHOCKED (the verb :) ) and he said he doesnt even own a test kit and goes to the local store to get the results and THEY tell him exactly what to do.

Then invited me over to show ME how he maintains a pool....

Wow - maybe i'm not such a newbie any more :)

Nope, you're not a newbie anymore.

We'll need a location for the party. Some of us might want to carpool it. Can I bring the dogs?

Saint Augustine, FL.

Not a huge fan of dogs, but i'll make an exception. After the party we'll go down to Disney and ride Soarin' - my favorite ride :)

Sounds like a fun party!