Pool Just Filled, Want to do it Right First Time

[jl1965]

Hello Everyone,

I just finished filling my 30' Round AGP and had the water tested at the local pool shop until my test kit arrives. This is what they said the results were:
ph= 6.7
Chlorine= 0
CYA= 0
Alkalinity= 28
Hardness= 37

I want to start this off right so here is my plan, please advise if incorrect:

Based off the Bleach Calculators I plan on adding the following:
Bleach- 1.2 gallons (5.25 %) aiming for 3 ppm CL: adding this tonight
Baking Soda- 17 lbs 12 oz aiming for ~ 88 Alkalinity; adding this tomorrow AM
CYA- ?? should I wait on this or add based on the calculator 10 lbs 2 oz shooting for ~ 60 CYA ??

Should I hold off on adding Borax for pH until I see where the Alkalinity is or just add it now ? What calculator do I use for this, the pH calculator says its for Soda Ash only and the Borax calculator says its not for pH ?

How long after adding the Baking Soda should I wait to retest ?

I have a SWG coming and should be here the next few days. Should I adjust chemistry any differently in anticipation for adding Salt ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Simmons99]

You can probably test your PH level after adding Borax a few hours after the pump is running. You NEED to raise your PH level up to at least 7.0 - better if between 7.4-7.6

[PatL34]

Have your pool chemistry balanced before you add salt and turn on the SWCG.

The SWCG works best at maintaining the chlorine level in the pool, but only if the pool chemistry is within the SWCG vendor's limits.

Pat

[jl1965]

I added 1.4 gallons of Bleach Last night and this afternoon I added 2 lbs of Borax with the pump running in the return stream, and 4 hours later added another 2 lbs of Borax and let circulate 3 hours.

I am going to have the water retested tomorrow morning and see where I am sitting.

Thanks for the replies.

[KurtV]

jl,
Here are Ben's startup procedures: http://www.poolsolutions.com/gd/startup_tips.html.

Chlorine first, pH second, calcium third (not applicable in your case), and then alkalinity.

Borax will raise pH and is the recommended product for doing that. The Borax calculator in BleachCalc, however, is for raising the borate level in your water as an algaecide. Same product but a different use than you're looking for.