Getting the pool back in shape

[mogwai]

Last year this site was a godsend for my new pool owner woes. I'm back this year, trying to get the pool back in shape. I've got a Taylor test kit and need to get my pool in order

So Chlorine is low, water is cloudy and summer is here already in TX. I will be spending the week sanitizing the water, but have really low pH...not sure if I should try to fix both at the same time? Any suggestions on where to start?

So, i've got a 10k g in ground concrete pool

FC 1.5, TC 1.5
pH 7.0 (base demand test took 3 drops)
TA 125
CYA 40
Calcium Hardness 425 (we are on a well in the country in TX...hard hard water...)

So my focus was going to get the chlorine up and kill the lingering algae, but the pH is low and I need to get it up.

Should I focus on the pH first then shocking the pool or can i get them both working at the same time.

Any other feedback?

Thanks.

t

[BigDave]

It may be best to get the pH in range before raising FC to shock level as shock level FC can cause falsely high pH readings.

[mogwai]

Thanks. I was going to use Mule Team Borax...the Taylor test kit gives instructions on how to use Soda Ash to raise pH. Any suggestions on how much Borax I should add to raise the pH from 7.0 to 7.6?

[BigDave]

About half as much Borax as Soda Ash. It's hard to calculate pH change but the Acid / Base demand tests give a good idea how much adjustment is needed. Generally, I'd say put in a half a box, let it dissolve and mix and see where that gets you.