New Pool Owner and Need Help With Chemicals

[ScottsPool]

1. Don't use the Algae Guard -- I'm pretty sure it's a foamy algaecide. It will make your pool sudsy, and it's irritating.
2. Use the bicarb to raise the pH, but when it's gone, switch to 20 Mule Team borax
3. If you've got bleach, you can use that. Buy 4 - 6 lbs of stabilizer at Walmart, and put it in an old sock, hung in front of the return. It may take up to a week to dissolve.
4. Dose with 1/2 gallon of bleach each evening, and about 1/8 - 1/4 just before each use. Once the stabilizer dissolves, you'll be able to cut back.

this should be a sticky!

[PoolDoc]

Yeah, that and about 80 other pages.

It's on the to-do list, but right now I'm just trying to not drown!

[douglaspool]

You guys have been great!! Starting to get the hang of all this. Found the stablizer and have that hanging in front of the return. Got the ph level up to almost 7.8 and have been adding chlorine at night and in the afternoon before the kids start swimming.

Thanks for taking the time to help!

BTW, I'll be taking the algae stuff back! Thanks!!

[PoolDoc]

Hang it in front of where the water comes back INTO the pool.

[douglaspool]

I have......guess I thought the return was where the water "returns" to the pool. LOL
P

[PoolDoc]

Unfortunately, piping terminology and pool terminology are inverted.

Piping returns, return to the boiler or pump or heater, and supplies carry the fluid where it's going. But, pool returns, return to the pool, and the term "supply" isn't used in that sense. I was a plumber and now I'm a pool guy, so I had to learn both!