How much bleach - No kit

[Watermom]

I don't know what buffer sprinkle is, but whatever it is, you don't need it. Your alk isn't bad at 70. We usually recommend alk from 80-125 and you are close. If you want to add just a little baking soda, you can. Or try it at 70 and if your ph is stable after you get it where you want it, leave it at 70 for now.

Likewise, I don't know what Algon is. You don't need it either.

Your calcium is fine. Your chlorine needs to stay between 3-6 with a cya reading of 40 which, by the way, is a good level. In your pool, each quart of plain, unscented 6% laundry bleach will raise your cl by about 1 ppm. CC reading of 0 is what you want.

The ph is too high at 9.0. You do want it between 7.2-7.8 with 7.4-7.6 being ideal. Add some muriatic acid carefully in front of your return jet. Maybe start with a cup. Wait several hours before retesting and redosing if needed. Better to do it in small doses rather than trying to hit it in one shot. Be careful not to get it on you or on your liner and don't breathe the fumes. Hope this helps.

[Islander2C]

thanks for the quick reply!
They told me that my Total Alkalinity is too low, and to broadcast 6.5 kg of BUFFER over the pool's surface.
My pH reading is high. However, since the total Alkalinity has been adjusted, the measured pH will adjust itself. Wait for 24 hours after the Total Alkalinity adjustment before re-testing pool's pH.
It also said my Free Chlorine Level is low and to increase my daily dosage of Super Pucks.

So if I understand you, I should only have to add 2-3 quarts of unsented bleach to my pool instead of using 3kg of "shock"? And do I just pour that into my return?

And do I use the bleach instead of the Super Pucks? I have quite a few of those pucks left from last year, could I use them up and just use bleach when it is time to shock the pool?

If this is correct....boy am I going to save alot of money this year for my start up. Last year I had to shock 3 - 4 times before I got my water clear and did it cost a fortune!

[Watermom]

Have you already bought this stuff? If not, don't. To raise alk, all you need is plain baking soda. I'm sure it will be way cheaper than BUFFER. I don't think the ph is going to drop from 9.0 down to mid 7s on its own. Add the muriatic acid as outlined above.

Your free chlorine is low. What you should do is test your water yourself. Get a kit and then you won't have to rely on a pool store. You should take 2-5 minutes each evening and test your ph and chlorine. Add enough bleach each evening to raise your FC back up to 5 or 6. That should keep you from dropping below 3 by the next evening when you test and add bleach again. Use just bleach instead of the pucks. The pucks will add cya to your pool. Your cya level is already at 40 which is ideal. Many pool problems are caused by these pucks. Continuous use of them will push your cya so high that it will cause you to have to keep your chlorine levels higher and higher or else your pool will turn green with algae. If it were my pool, I would not use the pucks. Save them for the few days when you might be out of town and not be around to add the bleach in the evenings. At this point, since your CC reading is 0, you do not need to shock your pool. If you maintain adequate chlorine levels, you really very seldom should have to shock.

By the way, how does your water look? Any more questions, ask away. Ther are lots of people here who can help you.

[Islander2C]

thanks again for such a quick response.
No I didn't buy and BUFFER. Thought I would wait till I heard from this forum on my readings.

How do I know how much bleach to put in for now? Do I pour it into the return?
And you suggested I add baking soda. How do I know how much of that?
Tks again for the replies

[Watermom]

Since you currently have no chlorine, I would add 2 of the 3 quart jugs of bleach. That should take you to about 6ppm. You can either add it slowly in front of a return jet or slowly pour it into the skimmer. Some people frown on putting it in the skimmer, but I always do it that way and so does Al. No problems. Whatever you prefer. As far as adding baking soda, add 2 lbs. slowly to the skimmer. Wait a few hours to let it circulate and then retest and see what that does for your alk and then decide if you need more.

[Islander2C]

Thanks! I'll add the bleach tomorrow. Just got the pump going again and leaving it run tonight!
Still to cold here to swim, so I am in no rush to get the pool ready other than I am tired of looking at green water!
It's a pale green though, and I can see the bottom of the pool. Doesn't look as bad this year as it did last year! No leaves because we had such a wonderful winter and pool didn't freeze over until all leaves were done falling! Got them all out before the pool froze!
Even though it is June, our temperature here have been low teens! Just Gross!

[Islander2C]

Ok...I just bought some bleach from Walmart...Each jug is 3.6L and 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite.
They were only 1.17 a jug!
I put in 2 of them and also 2 boxes (500g) of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda.
I hope that was correct! Crossing fingers and anxiously awaiting change
Watermom did I calculate that right?
tks
Mary