Brand New Pool - When do I start testing water?

[FNC1962]

Supposedly, my new AG pool will be installed today. Lomart Summer Serenade 18' round, 52" walls, 1 HP Hayward pump, sand filter(not sure of size). The store is doing the install and opening. I will not be home , have to work. My question is , what do I need to do, as far as, testing and keeping water ready to swim in. they will be using my city tap water to fill pool per garden hose. I will be using the BBB method but have no idea what they (pool store) add initially. I have already purchased the Taylor 2006 c test kit. Thank You so much for what you do to help everyone.

[Watermom]

Make sure to tell them NOT to add any chemicals! Many times when pools are installed, they throw a bunch of unneeded stuff into the water. I would double check on this and be clear that you don't want them to add anything!

That is a big pump for this pool. Any chance that you can switch it for a smaller one before it is installed? In the case of pool pumps, bigger is NOT better. What size is the sand filter that you are getting? If you can, find these things out ASAP. If they have your equipment way mismatched which is common on AG pool packages, maybe you can get them changed if you say something now before they are installed. Usually they pair a too big pump with an undersized filter and that is a bad combination.

Test your tap water. (Except do not run the CYA test as there won't be any in there and there is no reason to waste that testing reagent.) Post your results.

[FNC1962]

I will try to talk to owner. will this pump cause problems? What size should it be?

[FNC1962]

Also, they add stabilizer, 3" calcium based chlorine tablets and and also shock. They also said that they will add algaecide to the water.They said that they will install a 100 lb. sand filter. They stated that was the min size pump they would install on a 100# sand filter.

[aylad]

Having a pump that big on a 100# sand filter will make it likely that the pump will push the sand and other debris through the filter and back into the pool--which you may not notice at first, but if you ever have to clear up a bad algae bloom (and we all have to do that at some point) it's gonna be a real bear. See if they'll either upgrade the filter or downsize the pump. If all else fails and they won't do either, then Ben or one of the equipment guys may be able to tell you how to put a valve inline to slow down the pump flow.

I would absolutely not let the pool store start up your pool. Putting the stabilizer in isn't bad, IF it's not one of the chemical blends, but I absolutely wouldn't let them put any algaecide in the pool (you're asking for foaming problems from the start!). If it were my pool, I'd just tell them not to worry about it and you'll take care of it. If they won't give you a discount for not having to start it up for you, then at least just have them leave the chems at your house and tell them you'll do it. That way you can see (and we can help advise for, or against) what goes into the pool before it gets into your water. If they install the pool during the day, you can still add the chems to it that evening and it won't be a problem.

You are going to need a good test kit. IF your local WalMart has the 6-way hth drop kit, that's a good one to start with, but we very highly recommend the K-2006 that you can find on the testkits link in my sig. At the VERY least, get the cheapie OTO (uses red and yellow drops to measure pH and chlorine) and have that on hand. No test strips!!

We'll be glad to walk you through it--I just don't want the pool store to create problems for you from the very beginning, which they'll do if they add all that stuff to your water.

[FNC1962]

Thanks! I am at work for now and may be able to get home before they start filling. I purchased a taylor 2006 test kit.

[Watermom]

Good idea to get the kit. I wish you could do something about your pump/filter combo before it is on there and yours. A 1hp pump and a 100 lb. sand filter is not a good combination!

[FNC1962]

What size filter would work with the 1 hp pump. What size pump would work with the 100 lb. filter.

[Watermom]

I am not the equipment guru around here. I know time is of the essence since you are installing today. Ben is not online right now. Let me see if I can reach him for you to see if he can make a recommendation.

[FNC1962]

Thank You !!!