I don't really have any questions.............YET

[jw1977]

So,
I just got a sweet deal on a foreclosure. Lots more space for my family (wife and 3 kids) and BONUS - Inground Saltwater Pool!

I have absolutely no experience with pools.....but am not completely helpless either and I generally like to figure things out in lieu of paying someone else to do it.

My first inspection revealed that the pool had been winterized, and generally the equipment seemed to be in good shape. I wrote down the model #'s of all of the equipment and starting printing out the operations manuals online.
Discovery #1: No Chlorine Generator - AquaLine TCell 15 - Ordered one online - $400.00
No problem I thought, I will just build a temp. piece of pipe w/ fittings to "fill the gap" where the Tcell belongs and go ahead and get the equip running.
Discovery #2: The unions that ultimately screw into the Tcell are not standard. and therefore this will not work unless you can find the actual fittings. - Found them in a local store $50 - Decided to wait for my Tcell instead.
I took a water sample into a local store and had it analyzed. They gave me all of the reccomended shock, etc....but in the process I discovered alot of extra items that I was going to need....Let's see:
Pole
Net
Brush
Hose
Skimmer basket
Vaccum Plate
Vaccum
and so on........$275
So I am basically waiting on my Tcell, so I can physically start up my pump and filter - It is driving me crazy.

I am going to try and take some pictures and document the process once I can get started!

[aylad]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!!

Sounds like you've been doing a lot of the background homework, and you'll find that it'll make poolkeeping much easier. I encourage you to go to our sister site, Poolsolutions.com, and read all that you can there.

I'm guessing that the pool store didn't "give" you all the recommended shock, etc....you have to be careful with pool stores and remember that they're in the business to make money, and when your pool is nice and clear, they don't make any money.....so many times they'll sell you lots of stuff you don't need. For example: is this a vinyl liner pool, or gunite/plaster? If it's vinyl, then you don't need calcium. You also don't need phosphate remover, no matter what type of pool it is. What is the ingredient in the "shock" that they sold you?

I very very very strongly encourage you to get your own test kit and do your own testing, instead of relying on the pool store. This is a plus when you're maintaining a clean pool, but is pretty much going to be an absolute necessity when trying to clean up a neglected pool. It's also going to save you a ton of money in the long run. We recommend the K=2006 or K-2006C (same kit, the C version just has more reagents) that can be purchased through the Amazon link in my sig. When you use that link (for test kits or anything else), Poolforum makes a little money on the deal, and every little bit helps. Make sure that Amato Industries is the seller, though--some of the other sellers are substituting a kit that won't be as good for your purposes. If Amato isn't listed, then check back again in a day or so after they've restocked.

If you can post the numbers that the pool store got from analyzing your water, as well as the list of stuff they sold you, we'll be more than happy to help you sort it all out, and save you some money while you're at it.

What size pool, pump, and size/type of filter do you have?

[jw1977]

"Re-Fresh" is the shock they sold me. 68% hypo
Also picked up baking soda, muriatic acid, and a bottle of algaecide

Not sure on the pump hp....Filter is tagelus t60 sand filter, goldline aqua rite SWCG
I dont have the test results with me...will post up tomorrow

[aylad]

Is your pool vinyl, plaster, gunite?

You can pretty much take back the algaecide, unless it's polyquat. Algaecide is much better at preventing algae blooms in low chlorine situations than in killing an existing bloom. Otherwise, once you get your numbers, post them up and we'll be glad to help.

[jw1977]

Thanks,
I got the pump started last night and vaccumed out a bunch of it. Also got the shock going, and am filtering all day today. I will take another water sample tonight and have it analyzed in the am

Almost forgot - It is a 35K Gallon, with a vinyl liner

[jw1977]

OK, so I have shocked, and vaccumed and I have dead algae everywhere. Water has went from green to cloudy blue. I don't have a good test kit yet, but do have some strips. I checked it last night which was 24 hrs after intial shock:
PH 7.8
FC 1-2
TA 180-240
CYA 0

So, I backwashed my filter, and added 4lbs shock - Checked it again this am before leaving:
PH 7.8 - 8.4
FC 10+
TA 180
CYA 0
Water still a cloudy blue - dead algae still working into the skimmer
Suggestions?