New to Pools/Spas

[twizted1]

After noticing this edit:

Last edited by PoolDoc; Yesterday at 05:20 PM. Reason: edit to make clear these are HOT TUB guidelines and NOT our recommendation!

Does poolforum have recommendations for water chemistry on a hot tub that are different from these? Or does poolforum not have any information on hot tubs?

[PoolDoc]

I try to avoid dealing with spas.

The bather load to gallons ratio, plus the light of sunlight, plus the high temperature mean that successful spa operation is much harder and much less certain than pool ops. Ironically, spa owners tend to be much less 'train-able' since they intuitively assume that "smaller" = "easier than a pool".

I realized this summer, I'm going to have to make some changes because attached spas have become so common. But, it's doubtful we'll embrace standalone spas. I'd rather we focus on what we can do very well and not get involved in doing what nobody can do exceptionally well.

So I have my opinions about those recommendations (they clearly incorporate at least one of my ideas -- aeration to strip alk), but I don't have the experience to know if I'd be right, or whether Nitro is right. And, I have no plans to go seek that experience.

So my main goal was just to make sure no one reading this thread later, assumed we were recommending or endorsing (or rejecting!) those recommendations. Ironically, I see that the edit I was trying to make, does not appear. So, I'll fix that.

[twizted1]

In trying to help the in-laws setup their pool (and subsequently get myself some practice with adjusting water chemistry for setting up our hot tub), I worked last night on getting the chemistry balanced in their pool.

A little history, they filled up their pool last week (Thursday/Friday), but didn't add any chlorine to it. I had my K-2006a test kit already, but didn't get to their pool until yesterday to do any testing. On the 25th, the bottom felt somewhat slimy/slick and 1 lb of Aqua Chem Shock Plus (58.2% sodium-dichlor, 41.2% other ingredients) was added to get their pool to 21 ppm (pool calculator estimate) to begin shocking the pool (and add CYA). Last night, I tested the pool and found the following:

Date - 7/26 - 7/26 - 7/27
Time - pre-adjustment - 7:30 pm - 6:30 am

pH - <7.0 - 7.8 - 7.6
TC - nt (not tested) - nt - nt
FC - 6 - 14 - 13
CC - nt - 0.5 - nt
TA - 20/50 - 80 - 120
CYA - <30 - <30 - ~20
CH - 20 - nt - 20

Their pool was filled with city water (chlorine rather than chloramine iirc from my time with salt water fish tanks) and left as they were told that city water would be good in the pool for a week with no chemicals.

pH - I originally checked the pH last night, it was below 7.0, added borax (all addition estimates were from the pool calculator) to get the pH from 7.0 to 7.5 (11 oz called for iirc, ~8 oz added) and allowed it to mix while I did the other tests, later it was still below 7.0, added another ~8 oz of borax and allowed it to mix again. After that addition had a chance to mix (so I thought), it showed 7.0, added another ~8 oz of borax, which after all was said and done, I tested the pH at the end of the night at 7.8. A little high, but within range.

TA - TA was originally 20 ppm, baking soda was added ~16 oz at a time 3 times, allowing it to mix well (again, so I thought), which took it to 50, then 80 and finally to 120 when tested this morning (final addition after it hit 80 to get it to around 100).

CH - tested at 20, no additions made as I don't believe that CH has much effect on vinyl pools. Calcium increaser (I think) is on hand, should it be needed and can be added. I'll wait on the more knowledgeable people here to correct me on CH requirements before I add any.

CYA - checked at <30 (new pool, no dichlor added before the 1lb), CYA introduced by the addition of the Aqua Chem Shock Plus (2 - 1lb packages on hand, will replace that with the Poolbrand quick dissolving shock from Sam's Club as recommended when the 2 lbs are used). Tested after the FC was rechecked (and Shock Plus added again), the dot disappeared just as the meniscus rose above the top of the tester (estimated at 20 ppm or less). Will continue to use dichlor (albeit the recommended brand) until in the 40-50 ppm range.

FC - the pool was shocked to ~21 ppm on Wed night. Checked last night it was at 6 ppm. After all adjustments were made, Shock Plus was added to bring it up to 14 ppm and left covered overnight. This morning the FC was 13 ppm.

CC - Checked last night prior to adding Shock Plus again, it was 0.5 ppm. Was not checked this morning as I ran out of time testing prior to work. I'll test it this evening when I get over to their house from work.

With all that said, am I at least headed in the right direction with this pool? I'd definitely like to make sure that the pool is safe for my son to be playing in it, before they start letting him into it!

[PoolDoc]

"Aqua Chem Shock Plus" is a hodge podge product, 1/2 dichlor and 1/2 mess. It has 3 other ingredients besides dichlor. One of those ingredients MAY be a persulfate oxidizer . .. and we've seen seeing some allergy problems where those are used. Almost certainly alum -- aluminum sulfate -- is present.

I'd recommend using those 2# to scrub your toilet (not all at once!) and not putting any more in your pool.

As you suspect, you do not need to worry about CH; otherwise, you seem to be on track.

[twizted1]

"Aqua Chem Shock Plus" is a hodge podge product, 1/2 dichlor and 1/2 mess. It has 3 other ingredients besides dichlor. One of those ingredients MAY be a persulfate oxidizer . .. and we've seen seeing some allergy problems where those are used. Almost certainly alum -- aluminum sulfate -- is present.

The bad part being, 1.5 lbs is in the pool now....

I'd recommend using those 2# to scrub your toilet (not all at once!) and not putting any more in your pool.

Got it! Will get the recommended shock from Sam's Club tonight on the way home.

As you suspect, you do not need to worry about CH; otherwise, you seem to be on track.

Glad to hear that! Now hopefully I can keep it on track.

[PoolDoc]

Well, apparently lots of people use the Shock Plus without serious problems; hopefully, your family will be among those.

[twizted1]

I hope that my family is among those it doesn't affect.

Tested the water again this evening. The pool does get full sun from about an hour after sunrise to an hour before sunset.

pH - 7.6
FC - 2.5
CC - 0.5
TA - 160
CYA - ~20

The pool was treated with dichlor (recommended brand from Sam's club) up to 15 ppm, will test out again in the morning to verify it isn't losing 1 out more ppm overnight and has .5 or less cc. With the comments received here, I'm feeling more confident in achieving good water chemistry and having a clean safe pool at the in-laws!

Thanks for all the information that is shared here!