Getting everything balanced

[jenglish922]

Hi, I'm looking for some input on what levels I should be aiming for.

I just did a test with the HTH kit from Walmart.
pH 7.2
chlorine ~4
alkalinity 80-90 (it turned clear/no color at 80, but pink at 90)
(I did the cyanuric acid test, but the results were so high, I don't think it's right. The pool store tested it and said it was low, but I can't remember the number.)
Of course, every time the pool store tells me my hardness levels are low. I just nod and say nothing.

I have a vinyl liner, 35,000 gallon chlorine pool with a D.E. filter. I also use dichlor tabs in floaters.

I know I need to raise my pH. Is the alkalinity ok, or should I raise that too?

Thanks! This forum is awesome! I just bought by first two gallons of bleach today. Once I use up all of my expensive chemicals, I plan on switching over.

[Watermom]

Hi and welcome to the Pool Forum!

Your alk is ok. Your pH is ok at 7.2 but if it were my pool, I'd bump it up just a little to get it around 7.4-7.6.

Those tabs in the floater are trichlor, not dichlor. Whether or nor you should be using them depends on the CYA level. What kind of kit is the HTH kit -- test strips or a drops test? Does it have a CYA test that uses the disappearing black dot test? Tell us what happened when you did that test. Does your pool store use the disappearing black dot test?

Also, tell us exactly what kind of expensive chemicals you have on hand. We need to know ingredients and not just 'shock.' Some of those pool chemicals have a lot of stuff in them that can mess up your pool. For example, sometimes products have copper in them. You do NOT want copper in your pool. Contrary to popular belief, it is not chlorine that turns hair and pools green, it is the copper.

[aylad]

(I did the cyanuric acid test, but the results were so high, I don't think it's right. The pool store tested it and said it was low, but I can't remember the number.)
.

If you're using tabs, my bet would be that your test is accurate--if you're using the black dot test....