Brand new pool & SWG owner!! aka NEWBIE!!

[aylad]

Muriatic acid is fine to use, as long as you don't get careless with it. You definitely don't want to stand downwind and breathe fumes (that hurts, believe me!!) or spill it on yourself or anything around you, but otherwise it's pretty easy to handle. Make sure you thoroughly rinse off any that splashes on the concrete, though, because it leaves pits!

Janet

[deca1975]

Well Test results are:

Temp 73
FC 1
CC 0
TC 1
pH 7.2
T/A 50
CH 100
CYA 0
Salt PPM 3300

I cranked the aquatrol to 80% because of the low chlorine. I know I need
add CYA.... anything else....

[aylad]

I would increase the TA to 90-100 using baking soda and add the CYA. If you have a vinyl pool, leave the CH alone. If you have a concrete/plaster pool, then your CH needs to be increased, too.

Janet

[deca1975]

janet... Thanks... one question, since I serached the site and cant find any real info.... how much baking soda do I need? Is there a calculator or chart I am missing? its a ~5000 gal pool

[aylad]

I would start with about 1 cup, pre-dissolved or poured very slowly into the skimmer to avoid clumping, give it 2-3 hours and retest, then dose again as needed to target around 90 ppm. Alk is one of those things that is a real PITA to lower, so you don't want to overshoot it.

Janet

[deca1975]

After scouring the internet.... I figured adding 1 box couldnt hurt....so I did... waited, tested and added another box based on results.... now have a T/A of 90...

[sevver]

Just a FYI, there is an Online Pool Calculator that is just awesome. You put in your pool gallons, and the number and your goal and it tells you how much to add.