How to start chemicals in a new 15 x 30 AG pool

[ScottS]

Does CYA build up and then you stop adding it, or does it always need to be added? Is CYA required to get the chlorine to work?

Regarding PH, you get your PH set and then monitor it.

I get it that you stay away from copper under all costs or you have to drain the pool to get rid of it.

I won't need calcium as I'm vinyl liner. and....

What are tabs?

CYA (Cyanuric Acid aka Stabalizer) protects chlorine from being eaten up too rapidly by sunlight. Its level builds up and it is not something you are constantly going to add. Lowering the CYA level usually involves draining off and refilling some water which you will do over time with backwashes. One thing to remember about the CYA level is that when adding you should always add below the recommended amount and wait 5-7 days or so to test. CYA is very slow dissolving and your true readings will be after the few days. It is also important not to backwash during that timeframe.

You may find that the pH level will fluctuate some. I keep mine between 7.2-7.5 being careful not to let it get to low since a pH of about 6.8 can damage the vinyl liner.

Tabs = tablets

Here is an excerpt from what I did when refilling after a liner change -
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I filled my 24' ag last week. While it was filling I used some Trichlor tabs that I still had lying around. I did this to chlorinate the water because the algae will grow QUICK and also to add a small amount of CYA to the water. I put 3 tabs in a square "Glad" plastic disposable container and ran the fill water from the hose over the tablets. This eroded the tabs a bit and kept the algae out.

Watch your numbers with a reliable test kit and it would be beneficial to test your fill water. This will let you know what you will be battling when it is completely filled and what the water will do to your pool when you are adding water during the course of the season.

As soon as the pool is filled you will want to add a small amount of CYA to bring the stabilizer level up to protect the chlorine levels. As a reference my pool is about 13,500 gallons and after 2lbs of CYA and 4 stabilized Trichlor tabs the CYA level is about 30. When adding the CYA be sure to do a small amount at a time and add less then recommended in the instructions. Add the CYA through the skimmer slowly, keep the pump circulating for at least 48hrs, and do NOT backwash the filter.
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So when I filled mine I went the "puck" route because it was effective at keeping some CL in the water. I was not concerned about the CYA it would put in because I knew I would need a little bit anyway.

Have fun and good luck!