I would like to go the BBB route but I have a ?

My pool is about 30 years old but new to me this year. I am slowly learning "pools". It is 20X40 with most of it what seems to be cement. The sides are some sort of vinyl I believe. I have been told it is about 35,000 gallons. I just had someone open it and my water is cloudy but it wasnt before he open it, it was just dirty. I know he shocked it and there was a lot of dust in the pool which I have been mixinng into the water to help filter it. I tend to think it is couldy from mixing the dust around. I also have a Letro Legend pool vac working. My question is can I go the BBB route with this type of pool? I have no idea what kind of filter I have. I also have a heater. Can the BBB route be used on any and all pools? I have a basic test kit that measures PH and Chlorine levels. Should I get something more advanced? Any help is appreciated.

You can use the BBB route with most any kind of pool, especially one that's being sanitized with chlorine to begin with. You do need a little more extensive test kit--the one that Ben sells on this forum is excellent, and will test for most anything you could need to test for. As an alternative, WalMart sells a $15 5-way drop-based kit that will be enough to get you started. Just stay away from test strips!

If you'll get a drop-based kit, test for Cl, pH, Total alk, Ca, and CYA, post your numbers, we should be able to get you started.

Janet

Does anyone have a link for the test kit at Wal Mart? I would like to pick one up but I cant find it anywhere and when I stopped in they were clueless. Thanks

I don't have a link - but the pool stuff is usually between the lawn and garden section, and the childrens toys. Look for the HTH brand 5 way kit (about $10-14) to get you started.

However - I strongly recommend Ben's new kits avaliable on the pool soutions pages. I have a kit that I bought last year - and it's very handy - much better than the el-cheap-o HTH kit from the mart.

Thanks, I am looking for somethign to report back to the board ASAP and I think that is my best bet, for now. My water is somewhat cloudy and I would like to get it clear. My current kit shows maybe a little high PH and low chlorine. I have been told to shock the pool with 4 gallons of liquid shock. Does this seem right?

It depends on your CYa level...get that and post it, and we can give you some better advice.

Janet

My CYA is 0.....