New liner - fill with well water

[ksturge]

I just installed a new liner and I'm filling the pool with well water. I know there is a lot of rust, but it's all I can do at this point. When the water gets to the skimmers and we start filtering - what would be the first step to getting this water balanced. I have Ben's kit - should I post numbers? I know I'll need to start the muriatic acid, but I'm wondering the order of everything. Will I only add acid - take care of that problem and then move on or can some things be done together? Thanks in advance for any help.

[JohnT]

My first step would be to get a complete set of numbers on your fill water. I'd start letting the fill hose circulate some metal sequestrant as it fills to get the iron bound up.

[ksturge]

The numbers today (about 1/3 full):
PH: 7.7
Alk: 218
CYA: 0
Chl: 0
Iron: 2.2

I put 32 oz of sequestering agent in. Would you suggest working on getting in some CYA as soon as I can start filtering? Can I do anything else at the same time or should I get that number up first?

[JohnT]

I put 32 oz of sequestering agent in. Would you suggest working on getting in some CYA as soon as I can start filtering? Can I do anything else at the same time or should I get that number up first?

CYA is a low priority. You're not swimming, so chlorine staying power isn't a big concern. Getting it full and starting the filter should be your big push now.

If you really have iron at 2.2ppm, I've seen it advised to add 1 quart of metal sequestrant for each 0.5ppm of iron for each 10,000 gallons of water. I have no experience with that or what else it might do to water chemistry, but with a new liner you don't want iron stains.

[ksturge]

Thanks, I'm glad I put the sequestering agent in.

As soon as the filter is running, what should I put in first?

[LoveinGA]

Eeeek. I've been filling up my vinyl liner pool with well water for the past 2 years, and this is the first I've heard that I need to check the iron and isolate it.

I use a Walmart OTO test kit to do my balance testing - what kind of test do I need to buy to check the iron?