Pool clarifiers and flocculators Sould I Use Them?

[ctbrown]

Pool is 16 x 37ft, ~20K gallons, vinyl sided and sand filtered. The bicarbinate and pH-up were added sequentially, 1st the baking soda to restore the buffering capacity in the morning and then, in the evening, re-tested pH and added recomended ammount per-directions of pH-up and 4 gallons of shock. Re-tested the next day FC and TC are ~3ppm, TA is ~100, pH is 7.4-7.6.

Thanks for the info about the washing soda although I already spent $10 on 5lbs of pH-up. Should I switch to borax instead per BBB method?

I'm not familiar with skimmer socks, but like the idea of something solid that is easily removed, and I have never opened up my sand filter (Hayard ProSeries).

BTW - I am a biochemist and have been in the field for almost 2 decades now. So getting technical is fine and I'll ask the dumb questions as need be.

Thanks

Chris