Newbie - Salt Water Pool

[gilbertpsk]

Thanks, Ben. I've been reading a lot of the tips that you have on pools solutions and they're very helpful. Because this is my first pool and it's open, I'm a bit nervous that I'll break something. I'm also not sure of the urgency that I need to have right now with the pool.

If I'm understanding your post, I need to balance the pH (which according to the pool shop is at 7.0 right now). The pool is at the correct water level right now. This is a silly question and I may not be understanding the science of it all, but if the salt system creates chlorine, why not dump in some salt and turn on the salt system instead of adding household bleach?

For the future, I'll order the test kit that you suggest.

[aylad]

Hi gilbertpsk, and welcome to the forum!!

You do need to balance the pH, as Pooldoc said. One of the main reasons you don't want to dump in salt and turn on the salt system (may or may not be what Ben has in mind, but is still a valid point) is that the SWCG is great for creating and maintaining ideal chlorine levels in your pool, but the "greenish hue" you referred to in your first post is an indicator of algae. I know the SWCG has a "shock" setting, but it is not equipped to generate and sustain the chlorine levels that you need to kill off the algae. So...Ben wants you to add bleach to get your chlorine levels up to kill off any nasties in your water, and give you time to get the water clear and clean and chems balanced before starting up your salt system.

Janet

[gilbertpsk]

Thanks for the help. Everything is good to go now. I need to get my test kit mailed (I ordered it but no word on when it will be delivered). Will the 2006 come with a salt tester?

[Watermom]

No. That is not part of the K-2006 kit. It is something you'll have to order separately.