No kit yet -- Opened Pool -- What Should I do?

[AnnaE]

Thanks all for your help.

Is there a way for me to test CYA if it's not in the Walmart OTO kit? Should I bring a water sample to the pool store?

In the meantime since I don't know what the CYA is, should I still add the bleach and muriatic acid or do I wait until I know what the CYA is?

[duraleigh]

Hi, Anna,

I think you should add just the acid for now. Sooner rather than later. That'll get your pH in line.

Yes, get your CYA tested at the pool store and post back as soon as you can.

It wouldn't hurt to put the Cl in there now but the most effective dosage will be after we know your CYA.

If it's gonna' be days before you get your CYA results, go ahead and put the Cl in anyway....you need some preventative sanitizer.

[AnnaE]

Hi Dave,

We put in another jug of chlorine this morning (96 ounces) and have the pump running. I will run to Home Depot to buy the acid and stop at the pool store to get my water tested.

Is there a calculator to figure out how much acid to put in my pool (approximately 15,000 gallons) and how much chlorine I should be putting in also?

Thanks so much!

Anna

[duraleigh]

Search for a post by mwsmith2....there's a handy calculator in his signature.

Post your CYA test as soon as you can....probably 0 but post it up.

[AnnaE]

Thanks Dave.

It's been raining two days solid with temps in the 40's. We've just kept the pump running about 6-8 hours per day and added one jug (96 ounce) of chlorine.

Still hoping to get my kit soon. But, since today is Saturday and I don't have to work, I will take my pool water to be tested at Leslie's pool supply. I promise I won't buy anything!!!!

Anna

[duraleigh]

Anna, if they test CYA @ zero, get three lbs from them and put it in your pool. This should bring you to about 30ppm and will help you keep Cl in the pool. If they test higher than zero, buy enough to bring your CYA up to 30-40ppm (you have 13,500 gallons in your pool).

Your gonna' need some more Cl. Buy some bleach while you are out and we'll help you on quantity when you post some test results.

[AnnaE]

I brought a sample of my pool water to Leslie's and here are the results:

Free Chlorine: 0
Total Available Chlorine: 0
Water PH: 80
Total Alkalinity: 110
Calcium Harness: 210
Cyanuric Acid (CYA): 0
Total Dissolved Solids: 550
Copper/Iron: 0
Phosphates: (150) -- I don't know why this is in parentheses?

Per Leslie's Sales Manager, I added 1 pint of muratic acid. 4 hours later, I added 4 gallons of bleach.

I will add 3 pounds of CYA tomorrow.

Water is still very clear and I will test the water again in about 3 days. Any suggestions as to what else I should do?

Thanks in advance for all your help!!

Anna