Need advice about TA in new pool

[Watermom]

You don't need an algaecide and sometimes adding them makes your pool a foamy mess. Also, can you give us your cya reading? Is this a newly filled pool?

[traceyb]

yes, it is brand newly filled. What is the cya????? I have 6 way and 4 way strips but the lady who has been helping me uses drops. She'll test again this thursday and we'll see what she has me add...???? I'll consult here before I buy/add anything. if you look on the thread on backfilling an AG pool....my pool photo is on there.
So when do I need to add algaecide??? Only if we see algae????

[traceyb]

Ok, I figured it out I think. The cya level determines the amount of stabilzer right? If so, I used my 6 way test strips and the stabilizer was around 50 ppm. It is a 22,900 gallon AG pool.
The total hardness was ok as well as the TC,FC,ph<and TA.
I guess the hardness reads well due to the fact that I added 16lb of harness increaser over a period of 3 days. I guess it's something I didn't necessarily need to do, but it's already done. OOOPS>
So, maybe I can get some guidance from here.

[aylad]

The test strips have been known to be less than accurate--I would highly encourage you to get a drop-based kit. Most of us use the one Ben sells on this site--it will accurately test for most everything you'll ever need. As a starter, you can always go to WalMart and start with the $15 5-way kit.

If your stabilizer is around 50 ppm, then stop using the smart stix...you don't need CYA any higher than that. I would switch to exclusively bleach at this point, to keep the CYA from going any higher. What is your hardness level?

You can get plenty of guidance you need from here, but you need to post specific levels for TC, FC, pH, TA, and CYA-- "ok" doesn't give us enough to go on.

As far as algaecide goes, if you have a properly chlorinated pool, you don't need algaecide. It can actually create a lot more problems for you than it'll fix. I've never put algaecide in my pool, and if I were smart enough to figure out how to post a pic , I would show you that it's crystal clear all the time. Some of the other veterans (and I believe my 3 co-mods) put algaecide in theirs only at closing--and even then, the only thing recommended around this forum is Polyquat 60. For now, save the money on the algaecide, properly chlorinate your pool, and you won't have algae problems.



Janet

[traceyb]

The hardness is 250
the TC is 1
the ph is 7.2
the TA is 40
the sabilizer is 50.
This is using a test strip. I WILL indeed grab a drops kit soon, but I would rather buy a good one. How much are they online and where do I go to buy one? Sorry, for an ASAP reading, this is what I can give you. Water looks very very beautiful and clear. I have been keeping the smart sticks going though.
Do you still think I need to add bleach? If so how much? I will hold off on the algaecide.......thanks for your help .......it really is appreciated.

[duraleigh]

Tracy,

reread Janet's advice to you...she answers your questions. download bleachcalc to tell you how much bleach to add.

[traceyb]

janet

Just Wondering? When You Say Stop Using The Trichlor Smart Sticks And Use Bleach Instead, What Is The Difference In Performance If They Are The Same Thing???? You Mentioned That I Didn't Want To Get My Cya Any Higher. Can You Please Explain So I'll Understand The Chemical Logic ( For Future Use). I Really Want To Go Bbb Cause In Reading On Pool Solutions, It's Seems Relatively Simple Especially If You Totally Understand It Like You Guys Do. I Can Take My Smart Sticks And Algaecide W/ Copper In It Along With My Smart Sticks Back And Just Exchange Them For A Bunch Of Stabilizer If Need Be. I Just Have Alot Of Smart Sticks Now, Thats Why I Was Wondering How Those Would Raise The Cya But Bleach Wont? Is It Because The Sticks Are Constantly In The Skimmer Basket???? Help