help with startup plan for 12ft intex pool

A couple of start-up questions...

In the Intex pool plan it says - "Once your pool is full add one dose of dichlor each evening. Do NOT skip! Add 1/2 dose before each group swims. Add borax in equal quantities as dichlor"

Does that mean to add equal amt. of borax EVERY time I add dichlor or just before each swim?

Do I need to wait a certain amt. of time after adding, before the kids can swim?

And is this something that I do all season? Or how will I know when to switch to maintenance chlorine (which I assume is bleach?) Actually, now I'm confusing myself...during the time I'm using dichlor, I don't use bleach, right?

I have the exact same questions as I am in day 3 of setting up a 10x18 Intex oval.

The Borax is to offset the pH drop caused by the dichlor - so add Borax with every dichlor addition regardless of the reason for adding dichlor.

To move from the Intex startup plan to regular maintenance, I'd suggest that you learn the BBB poolcare method taught here - Start by reading the guides and tips on poolsolutions.com and the stickies in the treatment and testing forums here (you probably need to log out to see them). You will need to purchase a Taylor K-2006 or K-2006C to follow this method successfully. If you buy it through the links in this thread the Poolforum get a few shekels to keep the lights on.

You have time - the Intex plan will keep your pool safe while you figure out the rest.

Welcome, Congrats, Good luck, and You can do it - it's easier than it seems.

Thanks! I've been reading and will keep investigating. I added dichlor last night but no borax. Today my pH is still 7.6, so I'm thinking I shouldn't add borax unless the pH drops, right? Also, from the simple OT/pH kit (my Taylor kit hasn't arrived yet) it looks like my chlorine is high (though I find this test nearly impossible to read - yellow is yellow to me). Anyway, its a pretty bright yellow - so I'm calling it 3.0+. Is that not safe to swim in? Is there a way to lower it? And should I not add dichlor tonight if the chlorine still looks high this evening?

If your pH is 7.6, you are fine. Your pH may have been a little to begin with and the dichlor may have just dropped it too low yet. But, continued use of dichlor will cause the pH to continue to drop. Just be aware of that and add Borax if it goes below 7.2.

Until your kit arrives, you can force your cheap kit to test higher than 3 with a dilution method. It is not super accurate but better than nothing. Go to our sister website www.poolsolutions.com and click on guides on the left-hand side. On the following page, there is a guide called "How to Test Without a Good Kit" that will give you directions.

With no CYA in the pool yet, your chlorine isn't going to stick around long but at any rate, you can safely swim even if the chlorine is at shock level (which you are nowhere near). If it is a little high, it won't hurt people but you may want to wear old swimsuits. However, I think you'll find that your chlorine level drops faster than you think.

@ billmi, bellini: membership updated.

Thank you!!