new pool (1wk) here are chem results

[CarlD]

Total Chlorine 1.0 ppm
Free Chlorine 1.0 ppm
Ph 7.5
Calcium Hardness 160 ppm
Stabilizer 25ppm
TDS 325 ppm
Total Alk 65ppm

TC, FC, a bit low--Aim for 3ppm

pH: PERFECT

CH--a little low for a concrete pool--you want 200-400ppm. You can add calcium or chlorinate with Cal-hypo until calcium is in range. For a vinyl pool we don't worry about calcium until it hits 500ppm

Stabilizer(CYA): a tad low but OK. Since you are using a auto-chlorinator (I assume with tablets) that will come up on its own. 30-50 is the normal range. When it hits 50ppm, stop using tablets or powders and switch to bleach for chlorine.

TDS: A BS # pool stores like because it sounds important. When it hits 4000 you MAY need to pay attention to it, but probably not. Even then, unless you actually have a problem, TDS is totally irrelevant.

TA: Low. Add 1 lb of baking soda (That's right, Arm&Hammer) and wait 6-24 hours and measure again. Repeat until TA is in the 80-125 range (which you need). I prefer the 100-125 range myself. For vinyl, the upper limit is around 180ppm

New concrete pools tend to push pH up, and tri-chlor tablets are very acid and push it down. For now, they are IDEAL for your new pool.

Hope this helps.

[mneal]

I had to leave town for work and just got back last night so I had not messed w/ pool. Luckily it still looks clear. Wife brushed it 2X /day and that was extent of pool maintenance. I bought some TA when I was at the store store getting water tested last weekend and I added about a 1 # of that this morning before work. Tonight I will test water again and add a bit of chlorine. We did get about 5 inches of rain Monday and Tuesday so I drained the pool a bit so skimmer would work right and that might mess with water chem too I guess. Water is pretty clear and we have a pool party this Saturday so I am scared to mess with it too much before that.
Since I am using tablets for time being and must go out of town again next week I will leave tablets run and let the CYA rise until I can get back and let pool age a bit and the do all bleach or liquid chlorine. The pool store sold me some CH stuff too and I will add a little of that Monday too in small doses. PB told me always start small and don't put entire dose PS recommends in, and that seems like sound advise.

Did I ever mention how difficult life would be without forums like this! Thanks a bunch.


adjust and I added

TC, FC, a bit low--Aim for 3ppm

pH: PERFECT

CH--a little low for a concrete pool--you want 200-400ppm. You can add calcium or chlorinate with Cal-hypo until calcium is in range. For a vinyl pool we don't worry about calcium until it hits 500ppm

Stabilizer(CYA): a tad low but OK. Since you are using a auto-chlorinator (I assume with tablets) that will come up on its own. 30-50 is the normal range. When it hits 50ppm, stop using tablets or powders and switch to bleach for chlorine.

TDS: A BS # pool stores like because it sounds important. When it hits 4000 you MAY need to pay attention to it, but probably not. Even then, unless you actually have a problem, TDS is totally irrelevant.

TA: Low. Add 1 lb of baking soda (That's right, Arm&Hammer) and wait 6-24 hours and measure again. Repeat until TA is in the 80-125 range (which you need). I prefer the 100-125 range myself. For vinyl, the upper limit is around 180ppm

New concrete pools tend to push pH up, and tri-chlor tablets are very acid and push it down. For now, they are IDEAL for your new pool.

Hope this helps.