Quote Originally Posted by DewiMorgan View Post
apologies for my denseness.
No need for apologies; no denseness is involved.

I thought oak leaves were acidic.
Tannic acid -- in oak leaves -- is acidic. But oak leaves are more than tannic acid, & have no idea what their overall effect is. Dunno why your pool is basic; only that it is.

+ Buy a quart of cheap 50% algicide at Walmart (~$15) and dump it in. It won't kill the algae, but the lowered surface tension will probably kill the larvae, without causing future pool problems. If you had more than 10# of chems, add the chlorine first, wait 2 days, and then add the algicide.
- Still to do. Waiting on paycheck. This one's actually to kill the larvae?
Yes

+ Get muriatic acid, mix and add per your directions.
- Still to do. Waiting on paycheck. This one's to prevent the acid etching the walls?
To prevent high pH from causing problems, of various types. But acidity causes etching, not basicity (high pH). Sorry about not checking your inventory list.

You should absolutely do as Big Dave suggested, and use up all acid sources BEFORE you buy more. BTW, trichlor tabs are also acid.

Regardless, follow earlier instructions about adding acid in highly diluted form with warm water, to prevent damage that could occur in an uncirculated pool otherwise.

Questions:

1) What does a $15 plastic floater do more than, say, a loose-woven cloth baggie tied around a tab and a brick of wood? Assuming the brick's large enough to prevent the tab touching the sides of the pool, that is?
Trichlor will destroy most forms of cloth, and some forms of plastic.

2) I won't add the other stuff until the chlorine's used up, unless you recommend otherwise: but is it OK to put the muriatic acid and the cheapo algicide in on the same day?
Yes, just not in the same spot.