JJ...no such thing as a dumb question. We all had to get thru the confusion on our first pools.

First off, I'm concerned that your pool guy is having you start up your saltwater chlorination system so soon after start up...or do you have a vinyl or fiberglass pool??? My own Aqua-Rite system (a Goldline product too) indicates one should wait 10-14 days to allow for some plaster to cure before starting up the system. If you don't have a plaster product (you have vinyl or fiberglass), then it's not an issue.

Your pool guy didn't put in enough salt...if you truly have 11,000 gallons...so it's good you added more. At 240# of salt so far, you should be at about 2600ppm for a salt reading, probably getting very close to your recommended range. Check your Aqua-Logic's owner's manual for the recommended range...my unit's range is 2700-3400ppm ideally. As an example, you'd need about 294# of salt - in total, not in addition to what you already have - to get your 11,000 gallon pool to about 3200ppm.

Did your pool guy really add 16# of stabilizer??? My calculators show that that amount would raise your CYA/stabilizer/conditioner level to a whopping 180ppm - far exceeding what you want. That level won't show up in any tests for a few days to a week, but it's definitely higher than you want. As an example, to get to just 80ppm, you'd have needed just 7.35#. I'd ask your pool guy to explain why so much was added.

As for pH, IF you have a new plaster pool, your pH will have a tendency to rise for about a year and regular additions of muriatic acid (every few days to once a week)to lower the pH will be a routine matter. Without knowing what your specific pH readings are/were, it's just a guess if you've been adding appropriate amounts and what amounts might be needed now.

Consider getting yourself a good drops-based test kit like the one I've linked. It was the best investment I've made after the pool was built.

Here is a link that might be useful: TroubleFree test kits

As Sandra said it's pretty unusual to start your pool on an SWG, normally you start with more conventional chlorination until the water stays balanced for a while and then turn the SWG on to take over from there.

Is it a gunite pool? If so, I'm floored that your PB would tell you not to add acid. Acid is a must on a new gunite pool because the new plaster will drive the PH up substantially for the 1st 2 weeks. You have to add acid nearly daily to keep the PH down. In fact, with new plaster you want to keep the PH below normal to help with brushing. I don't know much about vinyl or 'glass, if that's what you have then maybe the PH requirements are different when it's new.

Below is a helpful link for determining what quantities of chemicals you need to add based on test results.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://poolcalculator.com/

The salt level is now 2700 ppm, the ph is 8, and the alkalinity is 90 ppm.

JJ...The owner's manual for your Aqua-Logic system (if it's a PS-4, PS-8, or PS-16) should answer some of your concerns about salt and pH. I had to link it from another site as I couldn't get thru on Goldline's site at this time, so I can't guarantee it's the most up-to-date edition.

Page 26 addresses the chemistry you should be targeting and page 27 addresses salt. (On page 27 also, you'll see the sentence about waiting 10-14 days to start up the generator on new plaster pools.) Your pH target for Aqua-Logic is 7.2 - 7.6. In your size pool, 8.8 oz. of muriatic acid should lower your pH by .2 (17.6 oz. to lower pH by .4, etc.)...IF it's 31% muriatic acid. Other posters have found lower strength MA now being marketed in some of the big box stores as well as pool stores. If it's lower strength, you'll obviously have to add more to achieve the same results.

I'd have a chat with your pool guy, however, to determine why he didn't want you to adjust your pH, why he started your SWCG system right away, and why he added so much stabilizer. Normally, I think you need to follow the pool company's advice to maintain your warranty but when that advice doesn't match something like Aqua-Logic's recommendations, well, then it's time to have a discussion so you can determine what path to follow.

Here is a link that might be useful: Owner's manual for Aqua-Logic

Sandra is correct on the acid. I was getting my acid from a home improvement store and adding like crazy. It turn out to 1be 14.5% MA. I not get from a pool suply place and it is 31% MA for close to the same price. Now I am only adding half as much and it is within the guidlelines for my pool.

I just put in a new pool and the salt will be added this week so I really appreciate the postings and replies for this topic. Can I ask does anyone with a vinyl pool liner have tiny air pockets in the corners? We have several jags (think a geometric shape) and all those tiny corners you can push on the liner with your finger and it presses in, should in be flush and flat? Our pool gut says that's the way it's supposed to be and we are unsure. One small jab and I am afraid it will tear, especially in little end with kid toys, please lend me your expertise as I am also a newbie! Thanks...