White hard buildup on vinyl liner

[PoolDoc]

If you can scrape a bit off, and put it in a glass with vinegar overnight, that would tell us whether it's calcium carbonate based -- it will dissolve overnight if it is. I'm pretty sure I know what it is, but can you go ahead and send me some pictures? (Send to poolforum AT gmail DOT com)

If it's what I think, you can go ahead and refill, and start your pool. I can help you get rid of it over the next few weeks, without damaging your pool. You do NOT want to use a heavy brush, or acid, on a vinyl liner.

Ben

[reddolphin]

My husband tried to flake some off, it doesn't come off in large flakes, large granules of sand like stuff. will get pics tomorrow of the pool.

Now, some info that my husband just told me......

--pH is always way high, never seems to be able to get it below 7.6. I know we go through a lot of ph minus.
--Using test strips that came with the saltwater system, the TA is gray, which is not on the strip. He is assuming his TA is way high

Also, we are in the country and use well water, if that is any help.

I thought about cleaning the rest of the bottom and refilling it tomorrow evening and start new.

Is there a step by step guide on how to start your pool up and get it going the right way, without using all the unneeded chemicals?

We do have a saltwater system, just got this year. We use water softener pellets for the salt.

I want to thank all for the help. Truly appreciated. Any questions, just ask.

[PoolDoc]

small granules are fine -- just put some in a clear glass and add vinegar, and leave it overnight. We really need to establish what the granules are, b4 you refill.

It would be a good idea to seal the glass with Saran-type wrap.

[reddolphin]

It did not dissolve in the vinegar.

And I had already went to bed so did not get the message to cover it.

[reddolphin]

Update got some bigger flakes off and they fizzes in vinegar and dissolved leaving nasty green stuff left. When putting some in water it turned water green but did not dissolve.

[reddolphin]

Ben-

My husband said you were going to post some pics and some instructions. Will that be on this thread or a new one? The pool is about half way full. Will continue filling today. We are on a shared well, so we can run nonstop overnight, but during day, we run for a few hours at a time so the neighbors don't complain.

[PoolDoc]

Yeah. I'm going to post it here. I ran out of time yesterday, and am supposed to be gone most of the day today.

But, keep filling and
#1 - Keep your pH low-ish => 7.0 - 7.2 . Add small doses of acid to maintain this. I told your husband how to use muriatic (plastic gloves, glasses, avoid splatters by partially submerging the jug before pouring, watch the fumes, 1 quart doses).
#2 - Do NOT add any calcium, alkalinity, baking soda, washing soda, hardness . . . NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE TELLS YOU.
#3 - If your pH gets too low, add a little borax. (1 box doses, added SLOWLY via the skimmer with the pump on)

Run your pump 24/7.

Lemme know when your pool is full and your pump is on.

Ben