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We have an Intex 18' x 48" above ground pool. The first the years we used a saltwater converter with the pump that came with the pool. Well, it recently but the dust and so did our pump. We bought a new oump and have decided to go with chlorine. How much chlorine should we add to the pool for the first time? Also, does anyone have recommendations in a brand if test strips? Thanks
Even with an Intex, Plan A is the Taylor K-2006 test kit (or equivalent). Plan B is the HTH 6-way Drop Test kit from WalMart. Plan C is a generic OTO/pH test kit. 'Way, 'WAY down at Plan D Hache or LaMotte Guess Strips.
Why? Because even those two, by far the best, are almost impossible to get a good reading from. At BEST it well tell you that you have no chlorine or a lot, super-low or super-high pH, and virtually NOTHING about Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, or, most importantly, Stabilizer/Cyanuric Acid (CYA). So you're GUESSING what they mean, not testing.
I cannot tell you how much chlorine you need because it depends on the CYA level (see the Best Guess table over at our sister-site, PoolSolutions.com for the appropriate levels).
But I can estimate that your pool has about 6700 gallons (48" is the height of the wall, not the water) and that one quart of Ultra bleach (8.25% concentration) will add 3 ppm (parts per million) of Free Chlorine to your pool.
Here is a link that will take you to the Best Guess chlorine chart that Carl was referring to. It explains the relationship between CYA and needed chlorine levels. http://pool9.net/cl-cya/
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