Mods: sorry if this is a double post. I posted this morning, it didn't appear to have be sent due to slow internet connection, I left computer, came back and it was still on the screen so I am tryng again. Windy here today, live in country where slight breeze interferes with connection, my apologies if it is sent twice.

I have an Intex 18x48 above ground metal frame pool filled with well water. It's been up and running about two weeks. This is my second year as a pool owner, last year had a few issues but nothing major til the end of the year so we just drained it and stored it. Now it has issues and I have questions:

1) Does it matter what order I correct the chemical levels? If so, please advise on what order. When using different chemicals, what is the best time frame to wait to add a different one? Is a few hours sufficient or should I wait 24 hours?

2) I cannot keep FC in the pool, it goes from 20 (deep purple on test strip) to zero in a matter of hours. I used stabliizer per pkg directions once I got the chlorine to 10 (stroke of luck it was good at the time I added stabilizer) I have added dollar store bleach, used shock n swim 3 times and have 2-3" tablets in a floater. My pool is in direct sunlight but shouldn't the stabilizer help prevent this loss? Yesterday morning it was really high so I took out the floater, now it's 10 again so I put in more stabilizer and the floater this morning.

3) I can see the print liner but the water is hazy. I used clarifier, 7 oz every 36 hours three times, it did nothing. I called the chemical help line on Thursday about the cloudy water. My TA is high (test strip goes to teal at 240), my result is more blue than green so I assume it's higher than 240. I have since added nearly 20 pounds of ph minus (2 pounds every 8 hours) but it has not changed one bit. The ph is lower (now 6.4) but the TA is still the same color and I test it twice a day so basically I feel I've wasted $50 of chemicals. Why is it not working?


4) Vaccuming the bottom: When the water is hazy, there is sediment on the bottom esp at the edges. I have spent at least one hour twice daily for days sucking junk off the bottom but the water gets cloudier and cloudier the more I move around therefore I cannot see where I've been/not been so I just keep on cleaning until my arms give out. I have let the pump run continuously and rinsed the paper (A) filter each time I've added more chemicals. I usually change it weekly. The surface is cleaned both manually and with a surface skimmer so I'm not getting alot of debris just stirring up the sediment on the bottom. I think it is undissolved chemicals but how can I prevent this if I'm not supposed to dilute the powders first?

5) I use algaecide weekly per pkg directions so I don't think that's why the water is cloudy (possible cause in troubleshooting guide I read)

6) Even though I added stabilizer my CYA level has not changed, it's been zero since I filled the pool.



I know this is lengthy but I'm trying to give you enough info to make it easier for you to advise me. I now have a logbook next the chemicals so I can track everything I do and not have to try to remember when I did what at what time on what day.

Thank you so much for any responses and advice.

kjh9835