Need Help Quickly!!

[94ukgrad]

I'm a first time pool owner. Just got 30' AGP installed yesterday. Starting filling with waterhoses using city water. My problem is that my pool holds 22,000 gal. of water and I have been filling with hoses for 24hrs now and water depth in pool is only 1 ft. Looks like it will take 4 days for pool to fill. I plan on using the BBB method for treating. What do I need to be doing now. Will water be in horrible shape in the 4 days it takes to fill up to where I can start using the sand filter? Have a Taylor K2006 test kit. I tested my tap water and it has a FC content of 1.2 and CC of .1.

We just got an inch of rain this morning and I'm really concerned about what to do. I will test the pool water and let you know the results of the existing water in the pool.

The pool store gave me some "Algae Kill" and told me to add it immediately. It has active ingredients of 7.1% of "Copper as Elemental". Is this bad? I think I read where is was ok to us a "poly-quat" for and algae control if absolute necessary.

The pool store gave me some "Algaecide 60". The ingredients are "Poly (oxyethylene (dimethylominio) ethylene (Dimethyliminio)-ethylene dichloride........................60%. Is this the polyquat I was reading about.

I'm trying to learn about this pool stuff quickly by reading this site but it is a lot of info to process. I would greatly appreciate any help you guys could give me.

Great site I may add!!

[CarlD]

Well, that's pretty good info for a newbie!

Every foot of water in your pool is 5287 gallons, which makes sense if your water is 4' deep. You can start adding bleach right away. I'd add 2 quarts for that first foot--one gallon for every 10,000 gallons. Walk around the pool pouring it in slowly, and a little more heavily in front of the hoses.

Return the "Algae Kill" if you can. You were VERY wise to read the ingredients and check us at PF to see that we say that's a No-No!

The other stuff, "Algaecide 60" is exactly the Polyquat we recommend! Home Run, Rookie! I never worry about the name, I just look for the "Poly....<something unpronounceable> ...60%" as the only active ingredient.

I wouldn't add more than a couple of ounces--a full quart will cause your chlorine level to drop to zero...that's OK but you have to know it's going to happen and boost the chlorine after. But an ounce to 2 ounces should be fine--just don't backwash immediately or the PolyQuat will wash out!

If you keep the chlorine in, the rainwater shouldn't be a problem. Be sure to test your pH though, everyday.

You are doing everything right so far! I can't tell you how much pleasure it gives us to see that!

Welcome to the Forum and to the wonderful world of B-B-B easy, simple and cheap pool care--that's EFFECTIVE!

[94ukgrad]

Thanks for your helpful comments. I have about 6000 gal of water in the pool now (16,000 to go). I just checked and the FC is 0. I also just added 18 oz of the polyquat for algae protection (hope it's not too late). I plan on adding a little bleach when the sun sets. I'm just afraid I will damage the liner with only 1' foot of water.

I have stabalizer (CYA) granules. 4 pounds I think. If I put some in a sock and put in pool, will it damage my liner since there is no circulation of water?

Thanks,

[Watermom]

You won't damage the liner with the bleach. After you add it, take a broom or oar or something and stir it around to mix it in. Can you hang the cya sock in front of the hose? If it is going to take 4 days to fill, you're probably gonna have to test and add bleach a couple of times a day --- morning and evening since you have no cya in there yet. (and, if you are home this weekend, maybe even in the afternoon.) Go ahead and get the bleach in there. It doesn't take long for algae to start when there is no FC and a hot sunny day!

[94ukgrad]

Pool is now 2/3 full now. I just got finished adding enough bleach to achieve FC of 8.5 and CC=0.5. I also have 2 pounds of CYA hanging from the hose in a sock. I also added 18 oz. of algeacide 60 yesterday morning. My PH is 7.0. Should I add a little of borax or just wait until pool is full and run the filter?

Wish I could get the pump going. I don't like looking at dirty water.

Later,

[Watermom]

As long as you pH stays at 7.0 or higher, you are ok. If that is the case, I would probably just wait until your pump is up and running before adding Borax. But, if it dips below 7.0, add some Borax and stir it around to get it mixed in there.