New Pool - Chemical Start-Up

[Watermom]

I would just use bleach if it were me. Unlike other forms of chlorine, it won't cause cloudy water and doesn't add other sometimes unwanted stuff.

[sublimity]

Okay, you guys are super. Thanks for all your help. I went to the pool store again last night to get the cya tested and found that my test strips just don't work right. My new readings are:

fac: 3
tac: 3
pH: 7.6
ta: 100
cya: 40
calcium hardness: 150
tds: 300
phosphates: 0

So, I am guessing that everything is good. Looks good. If you have any advice, I'd love to hear it. Thanks again!

[PoolDoc]

Test strips NEVER work right, except as sort of "Is there some, or is there none?" guess-strips.

Order a K2006 -- link below, make sure Amazon 'seller' is Amato Ind; some others have shipped K2005's; K2006C costs 35% more, but has 3x as many tests.

Other than that, your readings look good. Just maintain that, and you should be fine. Do remember to monitor your CYA, and adjust your chlorine levels up as your CYA goes up. (See Best Guess page in my signature for "how-to").