Alkalinity issues in a Coleman 18' x 4' pool

[Tammy M]

Hello

I have a Coleman 18 ft x 4ft deep pool (round)

I can't seem to keep the TA up right now it's at 40. I'm thinking it may be the chemical I am using (Clorox brand 😒).
It says I need 6 lbs of increaser.(yay no scooper,so how many cups would that be?). I put in 2 to start with...last summer I used hth brand I had zero problems.

I'm seriously contemplating the bbb method is it easier? I have no clue how many ppm my pool is(it doesn't say, but it's a flowclear .14 hp model number 90401E. If that's any help.)

This is a new pool from last year too so I'm still figuring stuff out.

Thanks for any help.

[PoolDoc]

18'x4' round => 6,600 gallons; PF=18

1. Clorox brand products are often a problem. This includes ALL of their chlorinating products.

2. Why do you need higher TA on a small vinyl pool? The ONLY thing TA does for such pools is stabilize the pH. If your pH isn't wandering all over the place, your TA is not a problem.

3. What you DO need to know are your chlorine, pH, and CYA (stabilizer) levels. Your best bet is to get the HTH 6-way from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B01JLY4KEM/poolbooks/) or Walmart (https://www.walmart.com/ip/101959375). Read the instructions CAREFULLY and then read them AGAIN. That kit will only test CYA 3x, before the chemicals are used up.

4. Compared to pool store methods, or Clorox / Arm&Hammer / HTH / PoolTime / etc 'methods' or guides, BBB is cheaper AND easier..

But there's a learning curve and you MUST be able to test your water. No testing? No BBB.

5. I'm working on standardizing 'recipes' for various pools, with pool-specific doses. Do you want one? Have you gotten a testkit?

[Tammy M]

My test kit is just the hth liquid one my chlorine is at a 1, my ph is a 7.2, TA is a 40(which is low right), hardness is 110 and my cya is about a 30.

Every thing seems fairly normal. I know some are on the low side (I have to wait for payday to get the stuff I'd need) thats why I was wondering about the TA. Its been bouncing bad, which is why I was thinking it's the chemical brand.

Yes, I'd like a standard dose chart.