startup chemicals

[BrianD]

I guess I am lucky (for once) my water is crystal clear. I got a sock with cya and have been adding bleach to keep my chlorine level within range but my ph and alkaline are not even registering. I'm still using the cheap 3 way test strips. What is next?
Is the test kit on Amazon worth the extra money? Walmart has a kit for about $15 the Amazon kit is $50. What is the difference?

[Watermom]

The kit is definitely worth it. It will test chlorine levels up to 50 I think whereas the cheap kit from Walmart will only test levels up to 5. It will also test for CYA. Most cheap kits do not. Test strips are unreliable and inaccurate.

If you truly have no pH reading because it is so low, then you are most likely damaging your pool and possibly equipment. Readings below 7.0 are acidic. You must get your pH above 7.0 ASAP.

At the very least for today, go to Walmart and pick up a cheap OTO/Phenol Red kit (yellow and red drops.) It will not replace having a good kit, but at least with it, you can get a pH reading which you desperately need ASAP.

[BrianD]

I bought the cheap oto kit and my ph is 6.8, chlorine is fine. I have been adding bleach twice a day.

[PoolDoc]

You need to continue adding borax till you get a pH above 6.8!

[BrianD]

I have not added any borax. How much should I start with?
Thanks!

[aylad]

Not knowing your alk, I would start with a couple of cups, poured slowly into the skimmer, breaking up any clumps. Let it circulate for a couple of hours and retest, adding more if needed. If two cups didn't move it, then try 4 more. You're aiming for a pH between 7.0 and 7.8.

[PoolDoc]

1/2 box, added directly to the skimmer if you have one -- slowly, with the pump running!

Otherwise, broadcast it around the pool. Any lumps may take a day to dissolve, unless you get in and smush them.

Test after 4 hours of circulation, and repeat as needed. Raise your pH to at least 7.2

[PoolDoc]

Argh, simul-posting again!