Best way to open a AG pool after the winter

[rdefino]

I just took my cover and the water looks pretty good, except for some dirt and leaves.

I was going to get some chemicals going this week using the BBB method.

Now should i start by stocking with bleach for a week then adjust the Ph and chlorine from there using borax or Muriatic Acid (if needed), and continue with bleach? Based on testing also.

Thanks

[FormerBromineUser]

Hi! First off, would you please tell us your test results and what test method you used?

[rdefino]

I used the Taylor k2006
Ph 7.2
Alk 30ppm
CYA 35ppm
Chlorine 0

thanks

[FormerBromineUser]

Whoops! I have been out-of-town. Looks like nobody answered you.

Will you please update with your latest test results? Thanks!

[rdefino]

No problem.

My results were the same today, but I did shock it using bleach just a while ago. Chlorine level is at about 12-14ppm as of now.

Was that a no no?

[FormerBromineUser]

You're fine. Glad you got your FC up from zero! One of the things I was going to suggest because of that zero reading, was to do an overnight test. You take it to shock level (15ppm) around dusk. Then test a half hour after that addition and record your FC/CC. Then, the next morning test as early as you can, definitely before direct sun hits the pool, and compare your FC/CC. You are golden if your FC loss <1 and your CC is 0.5 or less as the third criterion for the overnight test is that your water is clear. You already have that! (As an aside, if I do the overnight test, I do it one more night just to make absolutely sure).

Then we can talk about raising that TA. Next time you are going to the store, pick up a box of Arm and Hammer WASHING soda (not baking soda). It's in the laundry aisle.

[rdefino]

Thank you, the water is clear. But should i follow the overnight testing starting tomorrow night. Or just go from and and get my other levels set?

Also, would this be borax "Arm and Hammer WASHING soda (not baking soda)". Having a hard time trying to find borax. I'll see if I can find washing soda.

I thought baking soda was used to raise alkalinity?

Thanks again

[FormerBromineUser]

OMGoodness. I have been up since 2:30 am central after 2-1/2 hours sleep (watched the Blackhawks win!) and had a brain freeze. You will need BAKING soda, NOT washing soda. I am so glad you responded right away!

And no, Borax is not washing soda. Different bird. Should you ever need it, look in the laundry aisle for 20 Mule Team Borax.

As for FC.... Since you are almost at shock level anyway, it seems to me that you may as well do the test now.

Your other levels are fine except for the TA. You could add a half box of regular baking soda at a time until that TA comes up. It's okay to do that at the same time.

[CarlD]

I need to correct this: Washing Soda will raise BOTH your pH and your TA/Alkalinity and used moderately will work. Washing Soda is exactly the same as pool store's "ph Up!" and similar (expensive) products--Sodium Carbonate (different from Sodium Bicarbonate, and from Borax).

Yes, your TA is low, but your pH is a bit low, too, but still safe at 7.2.

If you were to raise your pH to the "ideal" level of 7.6, you'd see your TA would rise as well. How much is anyone's guess. Remember: Alkalinity level IS a reflection of pH. Using Washing Soda to raise pH will raise TA even more than using just Borax.

But unless you are having troubles keeping pH from dropping, your TA isn't really a big problem. Yes the recommended ranges go everywhere from 100- 120 to 80-130, but in a vinyl pool the REAL determinant is your pH's stability. I've run my pool with no problem with TA as low as 50 and as high as 170 and I don't worry as long as pH remains stable.

With a vinyl pool, the two times you worry about TA is if it's not keeping pH stable or if it's approaching 200ppm AND your calcium hardness level is over 400ppm.
In the first, if the pH keeps rising you probably want to lower TA. If pH keeps dropping, you'll want to raise it.
In the second situation, you risk the water going milky from calcium. It's not dangerous, just ugly. And the quick fix is to lower TA, a lot.

So, if you cannot find Borax, you can safely use Washing Soda as long as you understand it will raise both pH and TA.

[SunnyOptimism]

Thank you, the water is clear. But should i follow the overnight testing starting tomorrow night. Or just go from and and get my other levels set?

Also, would this be borax "Arm and Hammer WASHING soda (not baking soda)". Having a hard time trying to find borax. I'll see if I can find washing soda.

I thought baking soda was used to raise alkalinity?

Thanks again

@rdefino

If you can be more specific about your pool's volume or send the full dimensions of the pool, then we can better calculate the amounts of chemicals you will need to adjust pH, TA, borates, etc.

Please update your signature with more specifics about your pool and I'll be happy to help you calculate the amounts.