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Ok, I have just set up my pool, it holds 5,500 gallons. I have read about the 3 b's but have some questions, please bear with me because I have never owned a pool before. Where do I add the borax and baking soda and how much do I need to use? My chlorine level tested ok, but every thing else tested low or very low. I am using the test strips from wal mart. Please help.....I don't want a green pool!!
You need results from a drops-based kit. Buy the 5-way kit at Walmart and then post results. We need numbers to be able to help.
Welcome to the forum!
here are my numbers:
CL 0.6
BR 1.3
PH 7.2
ALK 50ppm
HARDNESS 300
STAB 20
Put in one small jug of 6% Clorox. That'll raise your Cl level up around 6. Keep it between 2-5 from there on out. You will consume Clorox daily.
Next add 2 lbs of baking soda. That raise your alkalinity up around 80 or so. Keep it between 80-120.
Read all the "stickys" at the top of each forum. It'll tell you more about all the parameters.
Go Swimming!:)
thanks for the advice!! Do I just add the bleach and baking soda directly to the water? Do I need to add any borax? Also, my friendly neighbor has a pool the same size as mine, but hers is looking more like a pond. Could you please give me some advice to turning her pool clear again? Here are her numbers:
CL 1.0
BR 2.2
PH 7.6
ALK 80 ppm
Hardness 200
STAB 105
If your ph is 7.2, you are ok for now. If it drops any lower, then you'll need to add some Borax to bring it up to 7.4-7.6.
It is OK to add bleach and baking soda to the skimmer while the pump is running.
As for your neighbor - give her our website and let her come and learn how to care for her own pool. A couple of comments I will say about her numbers -- she doesn't have chlorine and bromine in her pool. And, her cya is high and as a result if she chooses not to do a partial drain to lower it, she'll have to run higher than normal chlorine levels to keep algae at bay. I'm sure that is why her pool looks like a pond. Check out this thread.
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=365