The only reason for the bucket test is to see how much chlorine it will take -- but it won't change what it takes at all, or make it easier.

But, if you want to do the bucket test, do this:

1. Add 4 boxes of borax (20 Mule Team brand, added slowly to your skimmer, pump running) to your pool. The conversion process goes more nicely at a higher pH.

2. Get a CLEAN 5 gallon bucket and a bathroom scale. Put the bucket on the scale, and weigh it. Add enough water to the bucket to increase the weight by 33 lbs (4 gallons) - PF:3640

3. Half fill a measuring cup with plain 6% chlorine bleach. Add 1 oz to the bucket (about 14 ppm). Mix, wait 15 minutes, remix, wait 5 minutes. Test the chlorine levels.

4. If the CC level is higher than the FC level, repeat the dose and process.

5. Continue until the CC level begins to be LOWER than the FC level.

6. Add one more dose, then mix and wait 1 hour. Retest. If the CC level is less than 1/4 of the FC level, this is your approximate finishing point.

7. Multiply the number of doses by 14 to determine the total approximate dose required to clean up your pool. Divide this number by 2.7 to determine the number of gallons of bleach required, or by 3.7 to determine the pounds of 68% calcium hypochlorite required.

8. With a gunite pool, you can tolerate VERY high chlorine without a problem. Add 3/4 of the bleach (if you are using bleach) at one time. Do NOT cover the pool; do NOT let the heater or SWCG operate.

9. If you use cal hypo, you must add it slowly via the skimmer, but you must make SURE that there are no tabs, trichlor, ionizers or other chemicals or devices between the skimmer and the filter. Make SURE the heater & SWCG are off. You may need to backwash several times, as the lime dust accumulates on your filter.

10. Again, during this process you MUST leave the pool uncovered, the heater off, the SWCG off, and the pump ON.