+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: First Timer Ready to Fill, Could use some help

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    21

    Default First Timer Ready to Fill, Could use some help

    Finally have 24' Round vinyl pool set up and ready for water. I have Taylor Test Kit.

    Due to Well and lots of Iron I am going to fill thru me Softener. Should take 2 to 3 days with fill time, regeneration and sleep considered.

    My Numbers from tap prior to fill:

    Capacity: 12,500 Gallons

    CYA: 0
    Free Chlorine: 0
    Tot Chlorine: 0
    pH: 7.6
    TA: 241
    CYA: 0


    So, I guess I will add approximately 3 quarts of Bleach ( 6% ).
    Add 4 lbs of CYA.
    11 oz of 20 Baume Muratic Acid to Lower my Alkalinity. (But with that goes my ph down. Possibly aerate to help bump up my PH.)

    Can someone help me with the sequence of this? Anything I am missing?

    Do I gradually add the Chlorine? When do I add the Muratic Acid and the CYA?

    Keep in mind this will all take place over a 2 or 3 days and my pump will not be on for the first day for sure.

    Your help is greatly appreciated. I really hope to get ahead of this and not have to catch up with problems by doing it right the first time.

    Thanks a bunch in advance,

    JK

  2. #2
    aylad's Avatar
    aylad is offline SuperMod Emeritus Burfle Ringer aylad 4 stars aylad 4 stars aylad 4 stars aylad 4 stars aylad 4 stars aylad 4 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Northwest Lousiana
    Posts
    4,757

    Default Re: First Timer Ready to Fill, Could use some help

    I wouldn't worry about the TA and pH until you get the pool filled--any adjusting you do there will just be negated by the additional water while completing your fill. The pH is really okay for now, and the only consequence to the higher TA on filling is that it could possibly cause iron to precipitate out of your well water--but hopefully the softener will take care of that. If you do see that the water turns brownish looking when you add your chlorine, you probably need to add some metal sequestrant (see the "Metals" forum).

    4 lbs of CYA seems like a lot for your size pool--what target are you trying to reach?

    You can add a little bleach as the pool fills, just to keep it from trying to start a growth of anything until you get your pump on--I would add it slowly in front of the hose and stir it up afterward with something, just to keep it away from your liner. Keep in mind that until you add CYA, you're going to have to dose it daily, probably two or three times, just to keep "some" FC in the water until it's filled all the way up. Once it's filled up, add your CYA (remember that it often takes several days to dissolve and register) and adjust your chlorine levels from there--then you can tackle the pH/TA issue.

    Kudos on doing your homework--it will really payoff to start the pool off right from the get-go!

    Janet

  3. #3
    Watermom's Avatar
    Watermom is offline SuperMod Emeritus Quark Inspector Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Charleston, WV
    Posts
    9,345

    Default Re: First Timer Ready to Fill, Could use some help

    You sound like you are well prepared. Good for you getting your kit before the pool and doing all the reading. I agree with Jan. Don't worry about TA right now. I would suggest starting with only 3 lbs. of cya to start with. That should take you to around 30. After about a week, test and see where you are and then you can tweak it with the other pound if you decide to.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    21

    Default Re: First Timer Ready to Fill, Could use some help

    Thanks for the Help.

    Can I spinkle in distributed around the pool some of the CYA as is fills along with adding the bleach? As this point I can wade around the pool to mix in the bleach.

    thanks,
    JK

  5. #5
    Watermom's Avatar
    Watermom is offline SuperMod Emeritus Quark Inspector Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Charleston, WV
    Posts
    9,345

    Default Re: First Timer Ready to Fill, Could use some help

    I wouldn't. CYA is a slow-dissolving acid. I wouldn't want the granules laying on my liner. Just wait until the pool is filled and then you can put the cya into the skimmer. Aim for an initial reading of 30.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    21

    Default Re: First Timer Ready to Fill, Could use some help

    Ok. The vinyl pool is filled with 12K gallons of softened well water.

    Chlorine: 6.5
    CC: 0
    PH: 7.5
    TA: 280
    CYA: 0

    I have 1.5 lbs CYA in sock in front of return.

    My plan is to add muratic acid and leave the water aereator running to get my Alkalinity Down.

    Is this the correct course at this time?

    Your help is appreciated very much.

    Thank you,
    JK

  7. #7
    Watermom's Avatar
    Watermom is offline SuperMod Emeritus Quark Inspector Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Charleston, WV
    Posts
    9,345

    Default Re: First Timer Ready to Fill, Could use some help

    Yes, Your TA is pretty high. It is most likely going to take several cycles of dropping the pH and TA with muriatic acid and then aerating the pH back up, repeat, before you get the TA where you want it.

    BTW -- 1.5 lbs. of cya is only gonna take you to about 15ppm. You'll need to try and get it higher than that. 30-50 is a good range for cya.

  8. #8
    waterbear's Avatar
    waterbear is offline Lifetime Member Sniggle Mechanic waterbear 4 stars waterbear 4 stars waterbear 4 stars waterbear 4 stars
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    St. Augustine, Fl
    Age
    71
    Posts
    3,743

    Default Re: First Timer Ready to Fill, Could use some help

    Quote Originally Posted by jkoch View Post

    I have 1.5 lbs CYA in sock in front of return.
    That is not going to be enough to even test for in 12k gal. Why not take
    watermom's advice above and use 3lbs. You can pour the other 1.5 lbs directly into your skimmer if you have one, with the pump running. You will need to get three pounds in there to really have enough in the water to be able to test it.

    Edit: Seems watermom and I were posting at the same time! twisted minds think alike!
    Retired pool store and commercial pool maintenance guy.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    21

    Default Re: First Timer Ready to Fill, Could use some help

    Thanks, I'll get more CYA. Can I just dump it into my skimmer? I have a sand filter.
    Also, Should I leave cover on or off?

  10. #10
    Watermom's Avatar
    Watermom is offline SuperMod Emeritus Quark Inspector Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars Watermom 4 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Charleston, WV
    Posts
    9,345

    Default Re: First Timer Ready to Fill, Could use some help

    Yes, you can dump it in the skimmer. Just don't backwash for a week to give it plenty of time to dissolve. I usually run my pump 24/7 for the first couple of days after I put cya in the skimmer. I don't think it matters one way or another about the cover.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. About ready to fill my pool full of dirt!!!!
    By sbillingsley in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 05-26-2012, 09:16 PM
  2. Fill with only 1 foot of water and don't fill for 24-48 hours?
    By Jacob99 in forum Above-Ground Pool Construction & Repair
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-26-2012, 06:00 PM
  3. Getting ready to dig it up - talk me out of it.
    By Miataguy in forum In-Ground Pool Construction and Repair
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-10-2006, 07:57 PM
  4. So, am I ready to ROCK???
    By Pool_Mike in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 09-22-2006, 10:01 AM
  5. Getting the Pool Ready
    By TJNav in forum Pool Startup, Shutdown, & Winter Operation
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-26-2006, 12:40 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts