New pool questions,

[mtinston]

We just completed our new pool and I'm looking for some good general advice on how to keep it clean and clear without going to the poor house. I'm thinking that getting a good test kit and purchasing chemicals online is probably less expensive than going to a local store. Good sites?

Pool Details:
33000 Gallon
Diving board
Cartridge filter
Propane Heater

Thanks,
Mike

[PoolDoc]

What sort of pool surface?

+ Order a K2006 via Amazon -- link in my blue signature block.

+ Purchase a cheap OTO / phenol red kit locally (yellow / red drops)

+ Assuming the pool is clear now, add 3 gallons of PLAIN 8% household bleach each evening. Test pH & chlorine in the AM. Skip a dose of the chlorine level becomes very dark yellow (more than shown on the test block).

+ Report full test results on BOTH pool water and your fill water, once you have the K2006.

+ Check your local Sams Club or Costco if you have access. Sams usually sells undiluted trichlor, at an excellent price. Costco often sells blended dichlor or trichlor, but report the EXACT product you find. If you have access via these, they will be your best deal. Otherwise, online may be better.

[mtinston]

Ben, Thanks for the advice. I will definitely get the test kit. The pool is a white plaster over gunnite. The pool company hired a local store to come out and do the initial chemical testing/opening (yes I know that means I paid for it). I am a Costco member, I'll check to see what they have there - I have a couple of weeks worth of BioGuard supplies (Silk sticks - trichlor, Maintain ph +/-, Burnout shock, and inhibit algaecide). The will also come out to close the pool in a about a month or six weeks. I will need to purchase some additional chemicals before then and I'm pretty sure the store will be a lot more expensive than Costco. But, I'm also not sure what the difference between trichlor and dichlor is in terms of which is more desirable for use in the pool.

[PoolDoc]

Don't use the Inhibit algaecide -- it's not really chlorine compatible. Use it to clean a slimy sidewalk or something.

[CarlD]

Hi Mike!
Ben's not being facetious: Don't use that algaecide.

As you learn about the B-B-B system you'll find it's INSANELY easy to do your pool maintenance and very, very inexpensive. B-B-B stands nominally for Bleach, Borax and Baking Soda, three of the six ingredients you'll need for your pool. The other 3 are:
Muriatic acid or Dry Acid (either),
Cyanuric Acid, aka Stabilizer, and
Calcium powder or flakes (you can use Cal-hypo to chlorinate when your calcium is low as it adds calcium)

What makes it all work, and easy to do, is, of course, Ben's long term recommendation for Taylor K-2006/K-2006C test kits.
The other thing you will need is to be persistent and consistent. If you test your water for chlorine and pH every day, adjusting immediately, and once a week run the full set of tests in the K-2006, you'll find you're spending 2-5 minutes a day on pool chemistry and once a week 15 minutes. Plus, of course, any vacuuming and brushing you need.

You'll also find that name brand products are usually nothing but over-priced ordinary products. For example, "pH Plus" retails for $6 for 2lbs--and a 3.5lb box of Arm&Hammer Washing Soda (in the yellow box, not orange, not baking soda) is $2.99 as my local supermarket. Both are Sodium Carbonate: The same darn thing only 3 1/2 times more expensive!

Alkalinity raisers at pool stores are Baking Soda--same thing, same price difference!

But we generally recommend Borax instead of Washing Soda--at the supermarket they cost about the same. You can use either without a problem but I won't go into why, generally, Borax is a better option.

It's not hard, but knowledge will save you scads of money! Happy Reading!

[consoleman]

i have read the BBB link on pooldocs link. I couldn't get the overall picture of the total number of chemicals needed. CarlD, you just saved me a tons of searching! Thanks

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BTW, I just ordered the K2006C just now. I also found a store that has red stripe beer in stock. Ill be sitting in a warm pool with a cold beer on a hot day in November in no time !