New Guy, New Pool, Already been Pool-Stored... Always happy to learn

[Skeet Shooter]

Hi just got my test kit:

pH was less than 7
FC: 1.4PPM
CC: 0
Calcium Hardness: 70ppm
Alkalinity: 40ppm

So I'm currently adding 1 gallon of 8.1% Liquid Bleach to the skimmer every hour till chlorine reaches 5ppm right? As far as PH, that should come up as well, however should i also add Borax as well or should I wait.

Thanks,

Jason

[PoolDoc]

1. Add borax, a box at a time, till your pH is above 7.0. Allow 1 at least hour of pump ON time, before retesting pH. Add it slowly, to the skimmer, with the pump running.

2. For now, add 1 gallon dose of bleach each evening, directly to the skimmer, but NOT on top of any tabs. (Make sure bleach and tabs NEVER touch!)

3. What is your stabilizer level? If your CYA (stabilizer) is low, chlorine will NOT last through out a day of full sun, no matter how much you add. Instead, if you have swimmers during the day and have low CYA, pour 1/8 to 1/4 gallon doses into the skimmer periodically. This is in ADDITION to your evening gallon. I'd recommend getting a cheap OTO/phenol red kit, for quick testing during the day: add chlorine if you have swimmers and the OTO results aren't medium yellow or darker; skip doses of chlorine test result IS dark yellow.

[Skeet Shooter]

OK great... So here are my newest test results.

PH is now around 7.4 based on my observations and tests.
I added 2 gallons of bleach, which brought my Chlorine levels up to 15ppm (totally should have waited i know)

my CYA level is too low to register anything on the test. Should I buy Cynuric Acid? Or should I just get TriChlor? Or both?

Thanks

[Watermom]

Either way works. I typically just buy it separately.

[Skeet Shooter]

Alright so finally I am in the Ballpark! WOOHOO! Here are my numbers after adding a little more than 4lbs of Stabilizer:

Ph: 7 (Still too low, I'm going to add another box of Borax tonight)
FC: 7.5ppm (Yes still a little high, but thats OK... I will try to maintain a 6ppm based on the Best Guess Chlorine guide.
CC: 0
CYA: 50ppm

Water is perfectly clear, albeit cold at 70*.

Thanks for the help all. I do believe I will need to purchase another filter, because changing a filter takes a while to clean it properly and then cap and uncap the filter. (I currently do not have a shut off valve plumbed in between the inlet to the filter, and for some reason my shut off on the outgoing does not seem to work. When I drain off some of the pool water, I will probably just put new valves in.

[Watermom]

How did you add your stabilizer? It can take up to a week to dissolve. Your numbers look good! Except for that temp reading! Brrr!

[Skeet Shooter]

So I read online somewhere about how it takes a long time to get it to dissolve, but somewhere they said add it to a bunch of socks and squeeze it continuously to get it to froth out in milky white. Which it did... So while I was in the pool, I just stood in front of the skimmer and return jet and continuously for about 10-20 minutes squeezed the socks that i put it into and got it all to come out.

I thought that was a pretty fun idea... plus i was able to make some crude jokes at my fiance's expense. lol

[PoolDoc]

You mean, another cartridge, right?

Be sure to get a Unicel or Filbur cartridge -- probably NOT available at your local store -- and avoid the Chinese made "replaces Unicel" or "replaces Filbur" cartridges. If you'll post your EXACT filter make/model, I'll see if I can find the right one on Amazon.

Here's the cartridge cleaning guide: http://pool9.net/cart-clean/

[Skeet Shooter]

Ah ok... glad i checked with you guys... they said they did not have unicel when i went there so i believe I'll be ordering one online... all they carry is Pleatco... I found Unicel 2 packs for roughly $93 on amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/CX900RE-Sta-Ri...=unicel+c-8409