wierd readings....

[Watermom]

We really need a current set of water testing results taken with a drops based kit instead of test strips. We also need to know the stabilizer (CYA) level. Then we would better be able to help. We recommend the Taylor K-2006 kit. If bought from the following link, the forum also gets a little money from the purchase. It is the best kit and can test for everything you need to test for.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=10006

Your main problem right now and it is pretty critical, is to get that pH reading above 7.0 ASAP. Any reading lower than that is acidic and can damage your pool. Test kits can't show lower than 6.8 so it is possible that it actually is much lower than that. You can use Borax to raise the pH without raising the alk any further. You can find 20 Mule Team Borax in the laundry aisle at Walmart. Go ahead and add a half a box of Borax slowly to the skimmer while the pump is running, breaking up any clumps. Wait a few hours, retest and then redose as needed until you get the pH to move above 7.0. Since your alk is low, don't take the pH higher than about 7.0-7.2 right now. More info about lowering alk can be found at the following link:

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=191

Also, get some plain unscented bleach while you are at Walmart and get some in there or your pool is gonna turn green. Start with one big jug added slowly to the skimmer. Don't splash it on yourself or on the liner. That will get you a chlorine reading. After you give us your CYA level, we can better advise you as to what your chlorine level needs to be.

By the way, I deleted your second duplicate post. New members have to have their posts moderated so they will not show up immediately when you post so you don't need to repost when you don't see it right away. One of us will mod it in as soon as we see it. Welcome to the forum and hope you will find it very helpful.

All I have time for now -- gotta get ready for church.