Help with starting new pool

[rdefino]

I have just had an 18x34 AG installed and just received my Complete k-2006 test kit. Most of the pool was filled from a taker of pool water. I guess it's treated for chlorine and other stuff...not sure.

So I'm not sure where to start. I looked at you SS Recipe but it's loos more for the intex pools. Not sure if that's what I should follow?

Any directions would be great.

thanks

[rdefino]

So just tested for Free combined chlorine and after adding the 2 scoops DPD power to a 25ml sample the water didn't change color at all.

Should I add chlorine powder? Bleach? I'm not sure.

[PoolDoc]

1. Use the 10ml sample -- it's accurate to 0.5 ppm, and that's plenty close enough. The smaller sample size saves test reagents.

2. Add 2 gallons of plain 8% bleach, this evening if possible.

3. Watch the Taylor test videos:

http://pool9.net/tk-guide/
http://pool9.net/tk-interfere/

4. Either before adding bleach, or else sometime tomorrow, do a full set of tests on the pool EXCEPT the CYA test. I assume you've added no CYA, so there's no need to test for it yet. Post the results here.

5. Unless there are metals (iron!) in your fill water, you CAN use the SSR approach, but you'll have to scale the doses up your pool's size, which is 17.8 gallons, assuming a 54" side wall. However, you can only use that approach for the first two months.

Good luck!

[rdefino]

Not sure if my post went through or there is a delay when I post, but here it is again.

I didn't add the bleach yet. But here are my test results.

No clorine
Ph 7.0
Alk 30ppm
Calcium 30ppm


Should I still add the 2gals of bleach?

[PoolDoc]

Yes. add the bleach.

And yes, there's a delay -- users who register 'anonymously' are moderated, so that their posts don't appear till checked. By anonymous, I mean without any data I can use to easily verify that they aren't spammers, who constantly try to register and fake their way in.

Once a users has posted enough for us to be sure AND we get past the 'hump' we upgrade. But that won't happen till after July 4th.

[rdefino]

Ok, thanks. I added the bleach.

Shoudl I test for Free Chlorine-combind tomorrow? should I test everything else to?

I added a signature. Not sure it that helps with the Anonymous.

[PoolDoc]

No, you don't have do another K2006 test.

As long as your pool is clear, just add a gallon of bleach each PM, till you work out a plan. Your pH is pretty low, so you should probably also add a box of borax -- slowly, to the skimmer, with the pump on.

Get a cheap OTO / phenol red kit for quick tests -- skip the bleach dose if the OTO test shows dark yellow or orange.

Meanwhile, you need to decide what's next. Dichlor is a chlorinating powder that adds 9 ppm stabilizer for every 10 ppm of chlorine. It's very soluble and easy to add, and is the basis (with borax) of the SS recipe. You can get it at Sams Club quite cheaply:

http://pool9.net/sams-dichlor24/
http://pool9.net/sam-dichlor50/

You *may* be able to find it at Home Depot, Lowes or Ace Hardware -- look for a dichlor that has at least 56% "available chlorine" and NO copper listed.

Eventually, you have to stop using dichlor, because your stabilizer will get too high. But for now, you can use it, along with borax, to maintain your pool.
mfhache

[rdefino]

So I have some supplies that came with the pool. Would like t use these up if possible.

I got:

2lb bag of PH Plus for Rainging Ph levels
http://www.buckmansinc.com/store/pH-...2-O4I_102.aspx

A box of "once a week" bottles that contain "sodium dicloro-s-trazinetrione" Available chlorine 35% . 2lbs bottles

It came with 4 bottles of this, and some grey big tablets that go in the filter.

Can i use any of this before buying other stuff?

thanks

[PoolDoc]

The soda ash should be OK, but you only need it if your pH goes below 7.0.

The other stuff? Not so much.

The diluted dichlor *may* be OK, if it has no copper. The grey tablets are something new for me. Can you provide EXACT maker and product names. Meanwhile, do NOT use those grey tablets.

[rdefino]

ok thanks. For the 2lb bag of soda ash, how should I add it and how much? Should I just add 1lb to the filter, or dilute on a bucket of water first.