rigid96
10-20-2013, 12:22 PM
Hi From East Tennessee
Just got our Intex AG Pool this year and have been busy trying to learn how to maintain the pool.
Not been too bad but I feel I'm always behind the curve.
Looking forward to learning the in's and out's of maintenance and Pool care.
CarlD
10-22-2013, 09:13 AM
Welcome! Lots to read here and at our sister site: Poolsolutions.com
My first pool was an Intex 15' donut and it's a great way to learn pool chemistry as it's small and responds quickly.
Pool maintenance is simple and easy and pool stores do everything possible to hide this from you--like they sell the WORTHLESS book "Taming The Pool Monster" (I got suckered many years ago).
You'll mainly want to control your chlorine level to keep it sanitary, and your pH level. Plus you'll need some stabilizer.
Still, the two most important things you'll need will be knowledge, which we provide, and a good test kit--which will pay for itself the first season. We recommend the Taylor K-2006 or K-2006C kit, and you can click on the link on PoolDoctor's signature to get it at the best price.
Leslies "Chlorine FAS-DPD Service Test Kit" is the Taylor K-2006 in a Leslies box but is very expensive, $85 and only available on line. It is an alternative.
With the kit you'll never rely on a pool store to test your water--and sell you stuff you don't need.
You'll NEVER need to add calcium because vinyl pools don't need calcium.
Mostly you'll use Bleach for chlorine, Borax to raise your pH, Baking Soda to raise "Total Alkalinity", Muriatic Acid to lower pH, and Cyanuric Acid, aka Stabilizer.
If you stay ahead of your water you'll not need anything else.