Pool pH is at the "ideal" level, but alkalinity is super high

[PoolDoc]

OK.

+ Your test kit is fine -- but test chlorine FIRST, and if it's above 5.0, don't bother testing pH -- you won't get an accurate reading.

+ Do have someone else in the household check and confirm your readings -- about 3% of guys are color-blind, and about 10% (in my experience) are color-dumb. [By that I mean, they haven't ever paid enough attention to colors, to have learned to distinguish them well. Really!] It can cause a lot of problems if you aren't reading your kit correctly.

+ Don't swim unless the chlorine is above 2.0.

+ Add 1/8 - 1/4 gallon of bleach after folks swim, till we've got your routine established.

+ The HTH pH Minus, HTH Alkalinity Up (baking soda!), HTH pH Up (washing soda!) are all OK -- but you'll probably only use the pH Minus. If you use 1/2 cup of the washing soda with each load of really dirty clothes -- you'll get them cleaner.

+ Photograph the ingredients part of the HTH chlorine tablets, algae guard, & shock-n-swim. Those are suspect. Notice particularly if the tablets or shock list copper-anything on the label. If they do, stop using them! I'm going to check, and see if I have the MSDS & labels on those.

+ The Intex model number is "54451xx". On yours, the "LW" means Lowes model. Here's an Intex page: http://www.intexcorp.com/index.php/54451eb.html

+ Intex pools to not have crystal clear water, unless you get a bigger filter. They are NOT forgiving: if you let algae get started, it can take weeks to return to clear water, unless you drain and refill. BUT, they'll do fine, if you don't let that happen . . . and DO add a chlorine dose after each heavy swimmer load.

+ Let me know if you have access to a Sams Club. We may be able to get you on a 2 chemical program, using stuff from Sams and Walmart.

+ OK =>
-- "HTH Algae Guard" (not Algae Guard Concentrate) is 5 - 10% linear quat. Stop using it. You can use it to scrub slimy sidewalks, if you like.
-- "HTH Shock-n-Swim" is a cal hypo + magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) blend. It would be OK to use, if your alkalinity were lower. For now, seal it up, and stop using it. Here's the ingredient list:

CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE 7778-54-3 40 - 55
SODIUM CHLORIDE 7647-14-5 5 - 15
CALCIUM CHLORATE 10137-74-3 0 - 4
CALCIUM CHLORIDE 10043-52-4 0 - 4
CALCIUM HYDROXIDE 1305-62-0 0 - 5
CALCIUM CARBONATE 471-34-1 0 - 4
MAGNESIUM SULFATE HEPTAHYDRATE 10034-99-8 25 - 35
Water 7732-18-5 17 - 22

-- You'll need to give me an EXACT name of the triclor tabs, before I can look them up. BUT, most of the Arch / HTH trichlor products are messed up blends.
-- Go ahead and send me photos (poolforum@gmail.com) if possible.

[mindleak]

- Always have been testing chlorine first... didn't know I needed to though, lol, was just the first test on the list.

- My girlfriend is usually out there with me when I test and she looks at it too, so far we've pretty much agreed on colors

- So far, chlorine has been between ideal and the top color which I believe is 5.0

- Will do, just bought a big 3 gallon bottle of generic brand bleach

- So far I've only used pH Minus... wish I could return pH Plus and Alkalinity Plus as I doubt I'll ever need them... any generic chemical I can buy for the pH Minus?

- Good to know it won't have crystal clear water... it did when I first filled it but then again it was just fresh water... as soon as I started trying to balance stuff is when it stopped being super clear.

- I don't personally have access to a Sams... but I'm sure I know someone who does and will go with us... and if we really can get to a 2 chemical program, thus reducing many headaches for me, I think it'd be worth going and getting a membership anyhow... it's something we've wanted to do anyhow, lol

- As soon as I post this I'll be pulling photos off my phone I just took of everything I've used so far, email will be coming from mindleak -at- gmail.

[PoolDoc]

I'll watch for the photos.

[mindleak]

They should be there by now hopefully... they show sent as of about 2 hours ago... but quick question, do you think it'd be safe for me and the gf to jump in since the chlorine and pH is good?

[PoolDoc]

If pH and chlorine are OK, it's reasonably safe to swim.

You don't want kids in cloudy water, however -- it's too easy to lose one on the bottom!

[mindleak]

It's not too cloudy... just barely... can see the bottom very well... plus no kids anyhow

Did the pics of the chemicals ever come through?

[CarlD]

Hi Mind!

You can use the pH Up! in your laundry (if it's Sodium Carbonate) as a nice booster.
Alkalinity Up! is baking soda. You could use it to keep your fridge sweet-smelling.
pH Minus can be replaced by either Muriatic Acid, available at hardware stores. Muriatic is the best way to lower pH but you do have to be very careful using it--wear goggles and gloves, pour it into a 5 gal bucket of water before adding it to the pool.
But pH Minus is what is generically called "Dry Acid" and is sold as that, much cheaper. Also easier to handle than Muriatic Acid.

What needs to be stated explicitly: Generally, if your chlorine level is good and your pH level is good, your pool is safe to swim in.

[PoolDoc]

Yes, sorry -- just haven't posted them. They are what I thought, and the cautions I offered apply. I'll try to get it done today.