HELP, cloudy blue pool water

[krschaefers]

Don't mean to sound stupid but is the CYA level. Would the pool store have given that to me?

[aylad]

CYA is also known as stabilizer. The pool store should have given you a result for it with your other test results.

[PoolDoc]

CYA = cyanuric acid = stabilizer.

Yes, the pool store probably gave you a reading. No, you can't trust their reading. Pool store testing is inaccurate so often that we can't trust it. In our experience, less than 5% of pool stores give reliable chemical advice and provide accurate testing. (In many cases, they don't know that what they are telling you is wrong, or that their test methods are awful!)

Your only option this weekend is to see if any Walmart in the area has the HTH 6-way test kit - you can check online:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/HTH-6-Way-Test-Kit/17043668

Otherwise, purchase a cheapie OTO kit locally and order a K2006. (You'll eventually need a K2006 with an HTH 6way, but the kits are made by the same company and are compatible.) Tell us what your CURRENT pH and chlorine levels are -- AS MEASURED with the NEW kit -- and what the pool looks like.

Also, you won't make things worse by adding 2 gallons of PLAIN 6% household bleach DIRECTLY TO YOUR POOL this evening. You can get that at Walmart, too.