Season Startup

[ollie2308]

Hello everyone. I have been a successful BBB user since my 18k concrete pool was built 10 years ago. Just opened for the season and would like confirmation on what to balance first. Here are my numbers.

FC / TC - 0
PH -7.8
CYA - 0
TA - 40
CH - 90

Should I concentrate on the TA and CYA first ?

Thanks
Ollie

[Themadczar]

Top priority is chlorine... Get some in there pronto. How much cya did you have when you closed in the fall?

[ollie2308]

Thanks Eric.... Not sure about the CYA at closing. I have 4lbs left over from last season which I can add today along with chlorine...

[Themadczar]

Hold off on that... If you had cya at close, but now there is none, it may have been converted to ammonia by bacteria... Shock your pool in the evening and see if your fc level holds overnight... PH is the second thing to focus on, but definitely start with chlorine

[ollie2308]

Thanks Eric.... Did not see your post before adding the 4lbs of stabilizer on Sunday , however, I have been holding TC at 5 since then. Here are my latest numbers using PS233 kit

FC 8
CC 0
TC 5
PH 7.2
ALK 50
CAL 300+ *may have old agents as the R-0011L barley turned Red and ran out of R-0012 before it changed to a 'Blue'
CYA < 20

Anxious to know your thoughts

Thanks again
Ollie

[Watermom]

My guess is that, unless you have replaced your reagents, they may be old. That PS233 kit is pretty old. Also, you can't have a FC of 8 with a TC of 5. FC + CC = TC always.

[CarlD]

It takes at least 48 hours if not longer for CYA to dissolve. Initially, your easiest route, ironically, would have been tri-chlor tabs! FC=0, pH=7.8, CYA=0? Trichlor adds FC, Acid and CYA.

HOWEVER, at this point, I'd wait and see if CYA comes up. Otherwise...it is impossible to have FC = 8, CC= 0 and TC=5. because TC = FC + CC always, by definition.