High TA - Clear blue/greenish tint on new above ground pool

[forhancocks]

Hello, this is my first post:
We've installed a 18' X33" above ground all resin pool with salt water system about 3 weeks ago. The water has a slight blue-greenish tint, but the readings seem fine when I take it to the pool store, Leslie's, for testing. The readings are as follows:
FAC - 2
TAC - 2
Salt - 3400
CH - 190
CYA - 40
TA - 130
PH - 7.8

They sold me dry acid to reduce the TA and free metal clear although my pool registered 0 for copper and iron. Could the high TA be causing the tint? The range says 80-120ppm, but I have read that 60-80ppm is ideal. There is no algae present and the water is clear. It seems I have to buy something every time I go have my water tested. Since I'm learning so much on these forums, I am going to buy my own water test kit today and try balancing it on my own rather than spending a ton of money every time I go to Leslie's pools. Also, do I need to be worried about the calcium hardness? I've read mixed reviews on this. Thanks for your responses.

[Watermom]

You do not need to be worried about the CH. Yours is fine. It is only an issue in an AG pool if it is too high.

This is not an Intex pool and Intex SWCG, right?

Your chlorine is too low for a CYA of 40. See the chart that shows the relationship between CYA and chlorine here:> http://pool9.net/cl-cya/

Exactly what all have you added to the pool --- meaning ingredients and not just product names like 'shock' or 'algaecide.'

Do order a Taylor K2006 pronto. You can use this link:> http://pool9.net/tk/

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

(Until you registration is completed, you won't be able to see the rest of the forum while you are logged in. So, copy that link and then paste it into a browser window after you log out.)

[forhancocks]

Thanks for the response. I have a Saltwater 8000 pool 18 x 33' by AquaLeader, Hayward sand filter and 1HP pump, Hayward Aqua Trol Saltwater system AQ-TROL-HP. So far, the 1st week we tested the water, Leslie's pool recommended 2 bags of Leslie's shock because chlorine was 0. Then, week 2, Salt was 3300 ppm. We added 26 lbs 4 oz Calcium Hardness because CH was 100. They also said to add 12 Qt of Instant Water conditioner (stabilizer) because the CYA was 0. FAC and TAC were both 2 ppm and they said that was ok. Week 3, Salt was 3400 ppm. FAC and TAC were 2 ppm. CH was 190, CYA was 40, TA 130, pH was 7.8. They recommended 1 lb. 12 oz of dry acid to bring TA down. They recommended adding more calcium hardness since it was 190 (range is 200-400), but I didn't think it mattered, so I didn't get it. Then, I added Free metal clear to see if that would get rid of the blue-greenish tint. That's all that has been added to date in my pool. After reading all the forums, I think I need to add Muriatic acid to lower the TA some more. Maybe that will clear up the water too, because it still isn't crystal clear.

I appreciate any advice to get my water chemistry accurate without breaking the bank. Also, how do I complete my registration so I can see the forum and do searches, etc. I don't mind sharing my address if thats what it takes. Thanks again, Cindy

[Watermom]

What are the ingredients in the shock that you used from Leslie's. Any mention of copper?

Nothing else you have to do on your end to finish the registration process. It is just on our end now. But, we've been swamped with new members and it just takes time to wade through all of them. If you want to subscribe, that gives your posts priority.

[CarlD]

Leslie's is, like many companies, happy to sell you packages of chems with magic names but without telling you what's in them. There just aren't that many chems you can use in your pool and they all keep trying to package and re-package them in catchy ways.

We, OTOH, believe in openness and knowing what-the-heck it is I'm putting in my pool, and exactly why!

[forhancocks]

I used Chlor Brite and no mention of copper. I had my water tested again last night and CYA is still 40, FC is now 3. We ran the chlorine booster the other night to bring the chlorine level up. I bought 4 lbs of stabilizer last night and added half. Will add the other half this evening. Then, we'll see what happens. My water is not crystal clear yet like I was hoping. Do you think getting the stabilizer up will fix that? I will be ordering the K2006 test kit, but do you know if any local store in Northern VA would carry it so I can get it faster? I couldn't find any online.

[forhancocks]

Leslie's is, like many companies, happy to sell you packages of chems with magic names but without telling you what's in them. There just aren't that many chems you can use in your pool and they all keep trying to package and re-package them in catchy ways.

We, OTOH, believe in openness and knowing what-the-heck it is I'm putting in my pool, and exactly why!

I'm finding that out now that I'm getting experience with adding chemicals, so I will order my own test kit soon.

[Watermom]

I don't know anyplace to buy it other than through our link but I also haven't searched for other places. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can get it quick like in about 2 days. They used to do trial Prime memberships but not sure if they still do. I am a Prime member. It is very much worth it for us. We recoup the $99 membership fee from all the shipping fees we don't have to pay through the year.