New Intex 16' x 48" pool owner

[losttree]

Hi,

My name is Adam and I am currently filling an Intex Ultra Frame 16x48 pool in my back yard for my kids, 6 and 3, to play in this summer. I've been scouring the pages and posts on this site and poolsolutions to get an understanding of how to keep my pool clean and safe.

So far, I have 4 lbs of stabilizer, 2 bottles of bleach and a big box of baking soda since Wal-Mart was out of Borax. I have the 6 way kit, but haven't opened it since I have a Taylor 2006 kit on the way through mail. Assuming the Taylor kit arrives, I'll return the 6 way kit for a refund.

Assuming my water level gets above the spouts tonight, I'm planning to add half a gallon of bleach and put my stabilizer in a sock and leave the pump on. Is this a good way to get started?

Thanks for a helpful site,

Adam

[BigDave]

Go ahead and open the HTH 6-way kit, it won't be a waste and you should start testing the water right away.
3 cups of 6% bleach should get you to 3ppm FC - plenty but, with no stabilizer, it will burn off quickly in the sun.
Test and add bleach several times a day until the stabilizer dissolves and you can keep FC in the pool.
Only put about 2lbs stabilizer in the stocking - this should get you to about 50ppm CYA.
As the stabilizer dissolves you'll need to increase your FC target as per Ben's Best Guess Chart

Run the tests in the 6-way and get back to us with the results.

[losttree]

Thanks, Dave. I ran three of the tests so far, my chlorine was at 0 so I added the rest of the half gallon I started last night. I hope that was ok. Also, my pH is 7.8 and the alkalinity was at 40. I didn't know if the hardness level was needed so I skipped it. I haven't done CYA either since it is still dissolving.

Thanks,

Adam

[Watermom]

You don't need to worry about calcium hardness.

Keep some chlorine in there so the pool doesn't turn green. It is amazing how fast that can happen. Until your stabilizer gets into the water, you'll need to test chlorine at least morning and evening (and afternoon if you are home) and probably add bleach each time. Once the CYA starts registering, then you'll be able to just test and dose chlorine in the evenings only.

You are right to wait before retesting CYA. No need to waste the reagent.

Looks like you are off to a good start!

[losttree]

Added 1/4 gallon of bleach late morning, Cl is 2, pH is 7.2 and Alkalinity is 30. The stablizer is still dissolving in the sock so I still haven't tested for CYA. Do I need to be concerned about the pH falling? I have Baking Soda which might help with the alkaline state too if I've been understanding my reading correctly. The weather has been cloudy and cool here so we've yet to jump in. Sunshine tomorrow hopefully.

Thanks for all your help,

Adam

[BigDave]

Baking Soda will raise your TA, will also raise your pH a little. Borax will raise your pH while raising TA a litte. Washing Soda will raise both.
You don't want to let your pH go much lower your OK now but any lower and you'll have to act.