I assume you are talking about the acid startup procedure devleoped by United Chemical. If you are following that procedure it is necessary to follow it by the letter! I gather it is a bit controviersial but if done properly gives good results. Be aware that it is different from a normal startup procedure and the two shouldn't be intermixed by my understanding of them. Here is a brief synopsis of the procedure:
Fill the pool as quickly as possible Do not turn on circulation or pumps
Add a chelating agent that will work in extremely low pH.
Add 4 ga muriatic acid per 10.,00 gal water by walking it around the pool and then brush throughly to distribute it.
Do not add chlorine or vacumn until the plaster dust has disappeared but do brush daily. this will take a few days.
Neutralize the acid with Soda Ash (ph increaser, washing soda from the grocery store, sodium carbonate---all different names for the same thing)
This is one place a Base Demand test (as found in the Taylor K-2005 and K-2006 kits is just about necessary since the pool is so acidic and you need to raise the pH quickly). Wait 24 hours, retest, and repeat this step until ph is 7.2 or more.
When the pH is 7.2 or above turn on your circulation, clean the filter when pressure increases about 10 psi over normal.
Add your bleach in small amounts until residual is at correct level and then continue with such things as CYA, Calcium , Total Alkalinity. In theroy, the calcium and total alkalinity will be in the correct ballpark when you are finished. Good luck!
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