First Week of Doing Own Chemicals

[hrmaddie]

This is my first week of doing my own pool maintenance for 12+ years, local company is close to $400 per month. I went to Leslie's and had my water tested. Here are the results:

Free Chlorine 5.49
pH 7.9
Alkalinity 131
Calcium Hardness 341
CYA 20
Salt 3248
Phosphates 1150

I have a 28,000 gallon salt water pool. They told me to add 2 gallons of instant conditioner and 2 gallons of acid. I added one gallon of instant conditioner, but I scraped the pool for 20-30 minutes getting the white stuff off the bottom. Is this normal? Is there a better way to do this?

Should I be concerned about the phosphates? I bought some stuff but have not done anything with it, guy told me I needed to run the pool for 48 hours than clean the filters. I read the article on here not to do that, but should I be concerned about this?

Also, does this ever become cheaper than the pool guy? I paid more in chemicals today than I would with the weekly service.

 

[PoolStored]

Welcome to TFP!!!

We don't make recommendations based on pool store testing. Why? It is notoriously wrong, and giving you advice based on pool store testing, we can do more harm than good.

Here are the test kits we recommend. I'd get one today. Link-->Test Kits Compared
We generally don't recommend liquid conditioner for the reason you found. We recommend chlorine stabilizer which are granules We recommend you put it in a sock and tie, carrot and stick style in front of a return.

We are not concerned about the phosphates. If you maintain proper FC for your CYA, they are no issues. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

Also, does this ever become cheaper than the pool guy? I paid more in chemicals today than I would with the weekly service.

Yes, when you stop using the pool store for testing and advice, and you follow TFP. Get the kit ordered, when it arrives, post up results and we'll get your plan together.

Take any phosphate stuff back, and if you have unused liquid conditioner, take them back and get a refund.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Hey there HRMaddie!!! Most years I don't spend more than $150.00 on pool needs. Of course my cover helps avoid excess evaporation, and chlorine loss to the sun (but we like it open most days during the daytime).
I use a Salt Water Chlorine Generator (SWG) which keeps me safe and algae free for 14 years! Best thing I did was learn how to test my own water and find Trouble Free Pools (TFP).

Maddie