salt and pool chemistry

[purplegirl]

I just finished refilling my pool. I have a SWG, should I test my levels before or after adding salt? And if the chemistry is off should I adjust before or after dissolving the salt?

[steveinaz]

Balance your water first, then add salt, then fire up the SWCG. Use bleach for sanitization until you get the water balanced.

[purplegirl]

Thanks a lot. That's what I thought, I'm working on balancing right now.

[steveinaz]

Be patient with CYA. It can take a week to measure properly. With a SWCG, you'll want about 80ppm CYA, take it up slowly. I'm assuming you have a Taylor test kit?

[waterbear]

Purplegirl,

CYA level really varies by manufacturer and I don't remember what Intex (which I believe you said you had) recommends off the top of my head. However put the CYA at the maximum they recommend.

(BTW, Purple is my favorite color also!)

[purplegirl]

I'm working on CYA right now. I added half the recommended dosage and I'm waiting for it to dissolve. Once I put the other half in it should bring CYA upto 30 ppm. I do have an Intex and their recommendations are 30-50 ppm. I had read somewhere on here to keep CYA at 80-100ppm for SWG, I wasn't planning to go that high just yet but would that be wise if Intex says 30-50?

I do have a taylor test kit and I will test levels tomorrow.

I am going to add cal-hypo 65%. I am also going to add a metal chelator. Can I add both of these things at the same time, I want to do it tonight around 9:30, when I get home from work or should I wait on the cal-hypo? I will not add salt until CYA is at least 30ppm and TA rises (currently at 70) and PH rises (currently at 7.2) I'm assuming the CYA will help both rise slightly?

Do you think the chelating agent will introduce phosphates into the water?