Quote Originally Posted by mogwai View Post
Before finding this site I purchased a Taylor 2005 kit, what can I add to it to make it equivalent to the suggested kits?
The test kit info page has a picture and a link to the kit on Amazon -- you're looking for a K-1515-A

As far as pH goes, it will probably rise on it's own, if you don't add more acid. I'd let it get to 7.2 - 7.4 before stopping it. If you add the bleach late in the day, and then brush . . . you won't have to worry too much about losing it during the day, since it will be mostly gone. Here's what I'd recommend:

1. Add 2 - 3 gallons of PLAIN 6% bleach each evening, and then BRUSH the pool -- chlorine doesn't penetrate the slime layers well; brushing exposes the algae to chlorine.
2. Add 1/2 gallon in the AM, just to keep the pool during the day.
3. Let the pH rise to 7.2 - 7.4, before adding more acid.
4. Run the pump and filter 24/7; clean as needed.
5. Continue this process till the algae is gone.
6. Probably the cheapest way to add stabilizer is to begin chlorinating with dichlor.

Dichlor @ Amazon:
Kem-Tek Dichlor 5lb => $20
Kem-Tek Dichlor 12lb => $49
The smaller container will add ~30 ppm of chlorine to your pool, and ~30 ppm of stabilizer. The larger container will add ~80 ppm of chlorine and ~70 ppm of stabilizer. Get the smaller one, if you are going to be using stabilized chlorine (trichlor); get the larger one if you are going to be using unstabilized chlorine (bleach, cal hypo, or a SWCG). You can buy dichlor locally, but you will have to shop VERY carefully to avoid the dichlor blends. Walmart, Lowes, and Kmart all sell blends (at least in my area) that you do NOT want. Home Depot, I'm not sure about. If you want to order it from Amazon, you should have it by the time you're ready to start stabilizing.

After you get the pool stabilized, you can use cal hypo to chlorinate AND lower your calcium hardness IF your filter is working well (what kind is it?) and IF you follow my instructions. It's also available on Amazon, fairly cheaply:
In the Swim 24 x 1lb cal hypo => $64
Let me know if you do want to do the cal hypo / calcium reduction thing - it's not hard, but you do have to follow very specific instructions. If you follow the instructions on the label, you will INCREASE your calcium level.