In trying to help the in-laws setup their pool (and subsequently get myself some practice with adjusting water chemistry for setting up our hot tub), I worked last night on getting the chemistry balanced in their pool.

A little history, they filled up their pool last week (Thursday/Friday), but didn't add any chlorine to it. I had my K-2006a test kit already, but didn't get to their pool until yesterday to do any testing. On the 25th, the bottom felt somewhat slimy/slick and 1 lb of Aqua Chem Shock Plus (58.2% sodium-dichlor, 41.2% other ingredients) was added to get their pool to 21 ppm (pool calculator estimate) to begin shocking the pool (and add CYA). Last night, I tested the pool and found the following:

Date - 7/26 - 7/26 - 7/27
Time - pre-adjustment - 7:30 pm - 6:30 am

pH - <7.0 - 7.8 - 7.6
TC - nt (not tested) - nt - nt
FC - 6 - 14 - 13
CC - nt - 0.5 - nt
TA - 20/50 - 80 - 120
CYA - <30 - <30 - ~20
CH - 20 - nt - 20

Their pool was filled with city water (chlorine rather than chloramine iirc from my time with salt water fish tanks) and left as they were told that city water would be good in the pool for a week with no chemicals.

pH - I originally checked the pH last night, it was below 7.0, added borax (all addition estimates were from the pool calculator) to get the pH from 7.0 to 7.5 (11 oz called for iirc, ~8 oz added) and allowed it to mix while I did the other tests, later it was still below 7.0, added another ~8 oz of borax and allowed it to mix again. After that addition had a chance to mix (so I thought), it showed 7.0, added another ~8 oz of borax, which after all was said and done, I tested the pH at the end of the night at 7.8. A little high, but within range.

TA - TA was originally 20 ppm, baking soda was added ~16 oz at a time 3 times, allowing it to mix well (again, so I thought), which took it to 50, then 80 and finally to 120 when tested this morning (final addition after it hit 80 to get it to around 100).

CH - tested at 20, no additions made as I don't believe that CH has much effect on vinyl pools. Calcium increaser (I think) is on hand, should it be needed and can be added. I'll wait on the more knowledgeable people here to correct me on CH requirements before I add any.

CYA - checked at <30 (new pool, no dichlor added before the 1lb), CYA introduced by the addition of the Aqua Chem Shock Plus (2 - 1lb packages on hand, will replace that with the Poolbrand quick dissolving shock from Sam's Club as recommended when the 2 lbs are used). Tested after the FC was rechecked (and Shock Plus added again), the dot disappeared just as the meniscus rose above the top of the tester (estimated at 20 ppm or less). Will continue to use dichlor (albeit the recommended brand) until in the 40-50 ppm range.

FC - the pool was shocked to ~21 ppm on Wed night. Checked last night it was at 6 ppm. After all adjustments were made, Shock Plus was added to bring it up to 14 ppm and left covered overnight. This morning the FC was 13 ppm.

CC - Checked last night prior to adding Shock Plus again, it was 0.5 ppm. Was not checked this morning as I ran out of time testing prior to work. I'll test it this evening when I get over to their house from work.

With all that said, am I at least headed in the right direction with this pool? I'd definitely like to make sure that the pool is safe for my son to be playing in it, before they start letting him into it!