Intex pool: can I fix the water or do I drain?

[PoolDoc]

The webmaster is me, so I just saw that. Glad you recovered it.

OTO kits are usually available locally, and are better than strips. Taylor K2006 kits are usually NOT available locally, so when people have pool that's already running, we usually tell them to get an OTO kit (now) and a K2006 ASAP. It's not waste, since you'll be able to use the OTO kit for daily testing most of the time . . . but you'll need the K2006 to set things up, to check periodically, and to resolve problems.

The K2006 includes a better pH test, plus CYA, plus a high range high accuracy chlorine test, plus calcium and alkalinity tests.

But, NONE of the tests will tell you what to put in: they just tell you what's there. You have to LEARN what to put in, and what size doses to use, but we can help with that, once we have the test results.

[swimg]

okay, i'm beginning to comprehend...I will order the test kit tonight.

Meanwhile, since I would imagine that my CYA level is really low, should I go ahead and shock my pool with dichlor powder? And if so, what's the best way to add it--broadcasting all around the pool? Pre-dissolving in water? I have suncoast fast-dissolving shock, 99% sodium dichloro-s-Triazinetrione Dihydrate.

Thanks!

[Watermom]

I think I'd predissolve it and pour it slowly in front of the return jet.

Your CYA may or may not be really low. If you've been using a lot of pucks, the CYA is gradually building up. Once you get your K-2006, test the CYA level and report it here.

[swimg]

I added the dichlor last night and the water looks nice and clear. The chlorine tested at 3.0 and the pH is a little low at 7.2. So do I raise it with Borax? And if so, what's the procedure?

Many thanks....

[PoolDoc]

Just add 1/4 box, to start. Add more, till you get to 7.6. On a small Intex, you can broadcast it.

7.2 is actually fine for pH, but dichlor tends to lower pH quite a bit, as it gets used up, so it's a bit safer to have it higher, so it doesn't go below 7.0.