Water Question

[pool_newbie76]

My ph measured 8.2, which is the highest on the tester. The depth of the pool should be pretty close to 48 inches, but I dont know how close. I have it filled almost to the top of the fill line. And how many ppm do I want my FC to be at?

[aylad]

If it's reading the highest on the tester, it means it is 8.2 or higher. You can use dry acid to lower it, but it may take quite a bit.That's okay, you need it to be between 7.2 and 7.8.

Your FC level is based on your CYA, so you need a good number for your stabilizer level in order to determine where your FC should be. (See the "best guess chlorine chart" linked in my sig above for more explanation and the chart).

If you could run a set of test results, with a drop-based kit (no strips!) and post them here for us, it would be easier to help answer your questions. You definitely need to know your CYA level, though, and strips are useless for getting an accurate number.

Janet

[pool_newbie76]

CYA is Stabilizer right??

[aylad]

Yes, CYA is stabilizer (cyanuric or isocyanuric acid).

[pool_newbie76]

Ok, so the first step I need to do is to get stabilizer in my pool, then get my free chlorine in, and then ph level down??? Is that the correct order of my concerns?

[PoolDoc]

Add chlorine first. Always add chlorine first. Everything else is optional. Low pH may damage pools -- but low chlorine ALWAYS results algae and unsanitary pools.

Add 1/4 gallon doses of PLAIN 6% household bleach to maintain chlorine levels ABOVE 2 ppm 110% of the time! Once you've done that, read the muriatic acid sticky linked in my signature and go from there.

[pool_newbie76]

Ok, I have chlorine granules, tablets, and some 6% household bleach, which should I use, or should I use more than one? I also have stabilizer, and ph minus. I need to know the order in which each chemical should go in the pool, and how long do I wait in between to add each one, and how long in total I should wait to swim? Also, does the hth shock have anything to do with helping your pool to have free chlorine? I understood it to help kill any bacteria or organisms that the chlorine missed? I'm still really so confused about all this chemical stuff and thinking very seriously about buying a salt water pump next year, aren't they a lot easier to take care of? I read somewhere that all you have to do is keep salt in the pool, is that true?