Getting Started AG SWG pool

[jhebert121]

1. I have bought 2 gallons of muriatic acid, but did not have time to get that in tonight. That will work for bringing my pH down correct?
2. Still filtering
3. We are on city water and no heater.
4. I haven't added any algaecide and I do not have an ionizer.
5. Getting my bleach on, as recommended.
6. Bucket test is in progress as we speak.

I am going to have to wait until next week to order the K-2006, but I will get it.

[PoolDoc]

Yes, the muriatic will lower pH -- don't use too much! Your pool is fair-sized, but with the low alkalinity, it won't require lots. I'd try using roughly 1/4 of a gallon bottle at a time, and then testing after circulating for 4 hours. Keep the bottles out of the sun -- it destroys the plastic. A good way to store those bottles is inside a 30 gallon plastic garbage can with a lid. Be sure to read this thread on using muriatic acid safely!

By the way, keep the pH low is just to prevent the metals from staining anything. My guess is, the pool store test results are bogus. But until we know that, better safe than sorry -- removing stains is a pain!

Lemme know when you get some test results -- bucket or K2006. And, maintain good chlorine levels!

[jhebert121]

Still didn't get a chance to lower my pH : /, but the bucket, I did the test in, is still completely white.

[PoolDoc]

I did the test in, is still completely white.

Ok, that almost completely rules out metals in your pool water. It also means you can't trust your pool store tests much at all.

If you access to a Sams Club nearby, and it fits your budget, they have 50lb buckets of dichlor for $105 . . . which is a VERY good price in most parts of the country. Dichlor will add BOTH chlorine and stabilizer.

Also, you HAVE to get a cheap OTO/phenol red kit (yellow chlorine drops) -- you need that regardless of the K2006, since it will keep you from using up the K2006 too soon. Once you have that, use it to check your chlorine.

Add 4 gallons of bleach every evening - not daytime - till your algae is gone. Then cut back to 2 gallons per day. (If you can get the dichlor now, it will be cheaper over the long run, and make things easier.) Dichlor is also available from Amazon for about $3 - $4/lb:
Kem-Tek Dichlor @ Amazon 12lb => 49 + 0
Kem-Tek Dichlor @ Amazon 22.5lb $75 + 0