new pool

Thank you so much ,I am flowing all of your instructions. Already bought the washing soda. Got a question though.. What is the ideal number for the CYA ?.. because I understand that based on that # I need to up the chlorine..
I know it depends on a few other factors but overall, this is my situation - We don't really use the pool everyday, the pool is in the full sun from 10 to 5, no crazy weekend partys either ... yet :)
My thought is to use the tablets until I get the CYA at the desired level .. then use just bleach...which brings me to another question.. Once the pool is in balance how much of the bleach is used on average? a gallon every night ? a little more for my 26 k gallon pool? Thank you in advance for all your help..

The "ideal" number for CYA really depends on the pool. We generally recommend that people start at about 40 ppm, and then see how much chlorine they use. This works for most folks--but there are some, like me, who tend to run theirs higher. My pool is in full Louisiana sun from sunup to sundown, high humidity, high bather load, and I have to keep my CYa at 80-90 ppm in order to keep chlorine levels where they should be. If my CYA gets any lower, my chlorine consumption increases dramatically. Having a CYA of 90 lets me use a 1.4 gallon jug of bleach every 2 days or so to maintain 8 ppm of chlorine. However, my pool is a bit of an exception. Until you "learn" your pool's habits, I would start with about 40 ppm of CYA and see how it goes--if you're still having trouble keeping chlorine in the pool (due to sun, not to algae) then you could bump it up a little and see if that helps.

Janet

Upgraded your membership, and moved your post. -Ben

Thank you all again... I think I'm starting to understand how it all works.. I have successfully battled the biofilm/ algae.. no more slippiness :) yey .. Took a nice swim already.. Now I'm just waiting for my ALK and CYA to rise and then we'll see..
One more question...do you recommend algaecide? or those phosphate free solutions.. or as long as you keep the balance of CYA/CL .. is not necessary??

It isn't really necessary to use algaecide. If you stay on top of your water chemistry, you really don't need it. I never use it. Some people use it only at closing in the fall. Some people do use maintenance doses of it. The only type we recommend is Polyquat 60%. More info here: http://www.poolsolutions.com/gd/polyquat.html

Phosphate solutions? Forget it. They are the latest thing pool stores use to remove money from your wallet. Don't need it.

Thank you once again... I think I'm through with the questions ... for a few days at least :) ...so once I balance everything and "learn my pool habits" I will just use the BBB method and the bleach to chlorinate. Sounds simple.. now we'll see how it goes.. in practical application !

It really is as simple as that--the hard part is getting it back to clear and "undoing" what the pool store had you do to it in the first place! :)

Janet