First Spring pool start up

[PoolDoc]

Sounds pretty normal to me, for chlorinating a slimy pool. The alkalinity is NOT too high; don't worry about it. I'm a little concerned about the missing CYA; that may be a problem, but we'll find out later.

Meanwhile,

1. add a box of borax, to kick the pH up -- in case the CYA is missing and the pool has ammonia. Things go better at a higher pH in that case, and won't go worse
2. watch your filter pressure; Pleatco cartridges aren't the best, and if you let too much pressure build up, it will damage the cartridge.
(Clean it, check the gauge, and then clean it AGAIN when the pressure has increased 6 - 8 lbs. Do NOT let it increase more than 10lbs!!)
3. Polyquat will help filter the algae.
4. Add 2 gallon doses of plain 6% bleach each evening if the FC is below 10 ppm. BRUSH the pool after adding the bleach.

Otherwise, just keep going.

You may want to check and see if you have access to a Sams Club in your area that carries PoolBrand dichlor. They have it at my wholesale cost, and if you need to chlorinate AND add CYA, that's very inexpensive way to do it.

I understand the concern about chemicals, but if you are using the things you need right now -- bleach, borax, polyquat -- you are WAY safer at the pool messing with those, than you are doing your nails! Human toxicity of those three is quite low -- even if you eat them, but do NOT do that !

[HollyClo]

Thanks PoolDoc. I have a box of borax, do I add it through the skimmer than? I've never added any to the pool before. The PH always seemed to be good to go. I'll be keeping an eye on the filter gauge. Thank you for the heads up there. Going out to check filter now actually And I don't paint my nails or color my hair while pregnant lol. I'm not to crazy concerned about the chemicals...just like to stay away if possible.

[PoolDoc]

Just add it slowly, through the skimmer, with the pump running.

[HollyClo]

This morning test: 5/7/2012-
FC- 8 ppm
CC- 2 ppm
PH- 7.8
Alkalinity-110

Do I wait to add more bleach to it at night? Or should I add it now? We have a rain storm coming...will that mess up all my levels? And do I need to add more Borax to bring my PH a bit higher? Thanks!!

[PoolDoc]

The only impact rain has is people tend to stop caring for their pools -- don't do that; you'll lose the ground you've gained. PH is OK, otherwise as you were:

2. watch your filter pressure; Pleatco cartridges aren't the best, and if you let too much pressure build up, it will damage the cartridge.
(Clean it, check the gauge, and then clean it AGAIN when the pressure has increased 6 - 8 lbs. Do NOT let it increase more than 10lbs!!)
3. Polyquat will help filter the algae.
4. Add 2 gallon doses of plain 6% bleach each evening if the FC is below 10 ppm. BRUSH the pool after adding the bleach.

Maintain that process for a couple of days, then retest fully and post your results and pool condition.

[HollyClo]

Thank you again PoolDoc. I'll keep that going till the end of the week. Then post results It's looking better already this morning!!

[HollyClo]

my FC is down to 2.5 ppm tonight. Should I still only add 2 gallons? Or should I try to bring it up to 10ppm?