first time pool owner

[blarge25]

We just got our new pool finally after insurance claim an hassles with pool company getting it set up. So I have a 28' 54"deep round above ground pool. I have a west "something" 1.5hp 2 speed pump an have it running currently. I am trying to understand what to do first as I am new to this whole ordeal an I know its late in the season. I took samples an results are:
Ch/br 0
Ta 100
Hard 250
Ph 7.8 but I bet its higher cause it was a darker shade of red
Cyanuric acid 0

What do I do from here?

[katherine2]

Congratulations on your new pool. So I assume the pool is now operational? A picture would be great to share too.

[PoolDoc]

The most critical thing is to add chlorine. Right now, PLAIN 8.25% bleach is the easiest thing for you to use. Go to Walmart and purchase

+ 12 gallons of 8.25% bleach (Walmart store brand is better than Clorox, since you'll have to hunt through the scented / spiced / flavored / thickened / foaming bleaches, to find the PLAIN bleach!)

+ An OTO / phenol red drops test kit (yellow / red drops)

When you get home add TWO gallons of bleach. After that, add 1 gallon EVERY evening, till you have another plan.

The reason for doing this is that, if your pool turns green, it will take 10x to 100x as much chlorine to clean up, as it would have to prevent algae in the first place!

Test your chlorine & pH the following AM, and again the following PM, BEFORE adding more chlorine. Report the results here.

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OK, the instructions above will get you through a week or so . . . but it's going to take more than that. Here's what else you need to do:

1. Purchase a Taylor K2006 testkit from Amazon (test kit page linked in my blue signature block)

2. If you have access to a Sams Club, purchase (2) of their 24 bag boxes of dichlor shock. (Their price is great, the dichlor is un-diluted which is very hard to find now, and the bags will keep till next season, better than an opened bucket.) Dichlor adds BOTH chlorine AND stabilizer, and if your pool is freshly filled, you need both.

3. Tell us what plans you have for winter -- keep it open, cover and close, what?

4. Stay AWAY from pool store testing and chemical advice: it's designed to sell chemicals you don't need, rather than solving your water problems simply and directly. Don't burn bridges through, by telling them you are following our advice. You WILL need access to parts, etc.

[nefretrameses]

You need to get some chlorine in your pool asap. Use the pool calculator (www.poolcalculator.com) to find out how much to add to get to 3-5 ppm. You will have a choice of using standard bleach (Walmart) liquid chlorine (pool store) cal-hypo or di-chlor. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. Cal-hypo also add calcium hardness which you do not need. Di-chlor also adds the CYA you need,so its a good option to start. I would use bleach or liquid chlorine. You need to maintain you chlorine levels consistently. Chlorine will be used up quickly by bather load and most importantly sunshine. Stabilizer (also called CYA or conditioner) will be protect chlorine from sunlight. You will need to add enough to get to about 30 ppm. Put it ina sock in front of a return and give it a squeeze once in a while. Wait several days before trying to measure it. Don't overshoot on the CYA it doesn't get used up in general. You will not be able to keep your chlorine up without it.

This forum is about pool owners taking control of their own pool. This means you will not be at the mercy of a pool store whose main interest is probably to sell m ore stuff - stuff you not only probably don't need, but in some cases can mess up you pool. In order to do that, you need to be able to accurately test your water. Pool store tests are inaccurate for the most part. Test strips are inaccurate period. You will need a drop based kit. This forum recommends the Taylor K2006 which you can find links for in the forum. You can only get it on-line. In the meantime get a cheap OTO kit and use that. Without accurate test results you are j just guessing. After a short time you will get to know your pool. After that it's easy.

This was pretty quick and dirty, so look for more detail from a Moderator. But its Labor Day so be patient. Get some chlorine in there.