Just opened new pool/ first test #

[us7sail]

Just finished building my new pool and tested water with the new kit. water sat for about a week before could get pump up and running.
FC 10
CC 0
TC 10
pH 6.8
Alk 20
Cal 40
Cya 20
temp 85

Just added a box of borax to get the pH up about 4hrs ago. Water has been cloudy. Have run pump about 6 hrs this Am and is now on . Have some pucks in the chlorinator to keep chlorine up and push cya higher. What to do to clear water? Should I put in some baking soda to get alk up? Blding the thing seemed easy compared to this. 18x 36. One more question chlorine calc keeps telling me there is arun time error 13 when I calculate. What is happening? Thanks Chris

[duraleigh]

Hi, Chris,

First of all, I'm a little puzzled by your cloudiness. Nothing I can see in your test results would indicate a cause. I'd suggest you bring a few things in to range and, running the pump 24/7, that'll perhaps clear it up.

1. Sounds like you're already on it but get your pH stable around 7.2 - 7.6

2. Next, I'd bring up your Alk.....it's VERY low. Use bleachcalc to figure how much baking soda will get you around 90 to start.

I really don't see how those two items are causing cloudy water but they really need attention.....get them into range, run your pump, keep the pucks in there (for now) and I think things will improve soon. Post back with new results in a day or so and describe your water's appearance.

Congrats on your new pool!

[us7sail]

Thanks for the input Dave. I think the cloudy apperance in the pool was suspended dirt from construction. Ran the pump all night and is almost totaly clear now. Measured pH at 7.2 this am so I'm close. Put 4 lbs of baking soda in the skimmer this am. I'm guessing I wil probably need much more. What should chlorine be? I tuned down the feeder b/c Cl of 10 seems high. What do you think? Dave I also attached a picture of the pool. The Foam you sent worked great. Chris

[duraleigh]

Chris,

Yeah, lots more baking soda. Since you put in 4 lbs, bleachcalc tells me you should be around 30ppm. I would target 100ppm so you need around 12-15 more lbs to get to that number........it'll probably come up a little short but you don't want to overshoot by too much. (80-120 is fine)

Your chlorine maintenance and shock levels are determined by your CYA levels. Search "best guess" to find that table. I would suggest a target CYA (stabilizer) of 40ppm so that would mean maintaining Cl around 3-6ppm and 15-18 if you need to shock.

That's a great looking pool and setting. Did you get much help from those three in the picture? The little blonde appears productive but the other two look like they might be inspectors from the city!!

[us7sail]

Thanks for the input. Yes the little one has been a big help especially throwing dirt clogs into the pool. Other one constantly demanding changes according to her "code" talk with you again, chris