Brand New Pool, Want to start it RIGHT!

[CarlD]

Yes, Jan's right.

Usually, what you smell is used-up chlorine, called combined chloramines. It smells like chlorine and irritates eyes and skin.

Amazingly, the BEST way to get rid of it is to add more chlorine! It breaks down the combined chloramines.

I frequently have high levels of chlorine but you can't smell chlorine! If you stick your arm in the water, you'll smell it because the chlorine is neutralizing what's on your skin, which, technically, are contaminants.

The Leslies kit Jan referred to is called the FAS-DPD Service Test Kit and it's only available from Leslies on-line, not in the stores. Most pool store workers don't have a clue what the FAS-DPD chlorine test is.

If you decide, at some point, you really don't like using chlorine (and it happens) you can easily go to bromine (which seems to be better than Baquacil) or Bacquacil. But once you learn our easy methods of maintenance, you'll figure out the chlorine problems your child had were due to poor pool maintenance.

[adesalvo]

Your pool is about 14,500 gallons.

You will need about 3.5 pounds of stabilizer/conditioner/CYA to start.

After that you need

Muriatic acid - 1 gallon
Bleach - 3 or 4 gallons
Arm and Hammer baking soda - 12 lb bag can usually be found at Sam's/Costco
Borax - 1 or 2 4# boxes

This is the test kit that I use...http://tftestkits.net/splash-page.html

and $55 is a great price https://asp5.secure-shopping.com/sps...cat=1200&path=


Finally, you can use poolcalculator.com/ to figure out how much to add

[karatekachick]

Thank You everyone! Awesome information already! Please please keep the info coming, even if its a repeat, I am going against the flow here and its going to be interesting!

OK, this is what I have done.

I bought a VERY SMALL test kit from the pool store ( they only had one, a little $10 one at that, LOL, rest were test strip ones), to test the water coming out of the faucet and such and ordered a big one, but that one will take a few days. So I grabbed the Mini just in case the other does not get here in time for pool setup.

Going to Walmart today to compare all these labels, last time I checked the walmart brand was exactly the same as the other, so we will see.

And I am going to read every word I can find on this website! LOL

[Watermom]

Welcome to the forum! You have been given some good advice so far. I'm just gonna tweak it a little and throw in my opinion.

Don't buy any muriatic acid yet. You may find that you don't need it and you can always get it later if you do. I have had my pool for 10 years and have never once needed to add any.

I wouldn't buy the 12 lb. bag of baking soda. Although he is right that it is probably a much better price per pound, you most likely won't need anywhere near that much. I know I have not used that much total in all the years I have had my pool. Maybe just pick up a 2 or 3 small boxes to have on hand. If you find that you need it, you can always get a big bag later.

Do buy the Borax though. It is good to have on hand and you will more than likely need it once in awhile.

I want to caution you to go slow especially with adding the cya (stabilizer) to the pool. You want to gradually get to your desired level (I like around 40ppm) instead of adding a huge dose and then overshooting your target. The only way to get rid of it, is to do a partial drain. Aim for an initial level of about 25-30 and then tweak it from there.

Glad you found us. Let us know when you get set up and do your first water testing. Post your numbers and we'll point you in the right direction!

BTW -- If you are planning to read every word you can find on this website, you better get started and I hope you don't need any sleep! This forum is a BIG place!

[karatekachick]

Yeah my numbers are BAD wonkey.

Ph: 7.2
Clo: 5.1
Alk: 140
FC: 1.5

OK so my Clo is way low, I know what to do with that, a DUH moment. But the PH is low and the Alk is High.

The water was very irritating to my sons eyes, I really need some help with this, I dont want to add anything till I hear from y'all....................

[PoolDoc]

OK, I give.

What is "Clo"?

Is that total chlorine? And your free chlorine is 1.5?

Ok questions:

1. You filled with 'stinky' tap water, right? Are these readings before, or after you added chemicals?
2. If you added chemicals, what chemicals did you add?
3. Regardless of everything else, please test your tap water (assuming that that's what you fill with) and include those results, too.
4. Have you added ANYTHING from your Baquacil purchase? If so, what?

Basically, your next post needs to list everything you've added to your pool water; an explanation of what "Clo" is, or how you tested for it (kit brand name?); your POOL test results, AND your fill water (tap water?) test results.

PoolDoc