Increasing TA

[thorn138]

Thank you so much for your help! To answer your questions:

I initially added CYA (4 lbs) by sock hanging in front of the jet.
I've been adding bleach twice a day (morning and evening)
My Ph was initially high, but I controlled that with Muriatic Acid, and it is now 7.6

I have 2 tri-chlor tabs in a floater.. I have not added any more CYA because I've read on here where they will increase CYA and from everything I've seen so far, too much CYA is not a good thing. The last thing I want to do is release any water (just filled it)

My CYA goal is 40-50 ppm and FC around 3-5 ppm.

I really appreciate your help btw.... This is our first pool and I'm nervous as heck!! Currently, the water is clear and I've been running the pump 24/7. I can't clean it yet, because the installers told me to stay out of it for 5 days to allow to sand underneath to set up..

[Watermom]

4 lbs. of CYA will only take you to 20 which will not be high enough. If it were my pool, I'd just go ahead and add the other 4 lbs. which would take you to 40 and then be done with CYA. But, if you do that, you won't want to use the trichlor pucks because they will continue to add CYA. Once your CYA is at 40, your pool will hold chlorine through the day and you'll be able to test and add bleach in the evenings only.

For a pool with CYA of 40-50, your chlorine range is 3-6ppm.

You don't have to run the pump 24/7 unless the CYA is added to the skimmer or if you are experiencing cloudy water or algae issues. Otherwise, 8-10 hours per day is plenty. You can split this into two 4 or 5 hour sessions.

I'm glad to help you. Let us know if you have any further questions. That is why we are here!

[thorn138]

Thank you. I have done as you recommended and will test this evening. It's been over 100 degrees here in Oklahoma for over 29 days, so keeping my FA up will take some attention!!

[aylad]

That's true, but not as much attention as will be required if you have to clear up a bloom.....resist the urge to get lazy about testing--just a few minutes a day can save you lots of time, money and aggravation in the long run!

Janet