NOOB with a 12' Intex

[Watermom]

Until you get some dichlor, continue to use bleach so your pool won't turn green! But, bleach is not stabilized so it may be that you'll have to add bleach a couple times a day so you will keep some chlorine in the pool.

Dichlor is stabilized which means it adds CYA as well as chlorine. CYA is kind of like sunscreen for your chlorine; it keeps the chlorine from being lost too quickly to the sun. You should use the dichlor until your CYA gets to around 50ppm and at that point, just switch to bleach. You don't want your CYA level to get too high.

Whether or not you'll back off to dosing only 2-3 times per week can't yet be determined. Each pool is different. If you haven't already done so, take a look at the Best Guess Chlorine Chart which explains the connection between CYA levels and needed chlorine. http://pool9.net/cl-cya/ (Until your registration is completed, you'll have to copy that and paste it into a browser window after you have logged out of the forum.)

You will soon learn how often you need to add chlorine to make sure that your chlorine level never dips below the minimum required or else you risk an algae bloom.

Hope this is helping. Ask more if you need to. That is why we are here.

[PoolDoc]

One other comment:

Dichlor additions tend to push the pH DOWN; borax pushes it back up. If your pH is going too high, skip the borax, and use ONLY the dichlor.