Filter / Pumps / New Pool

[rkooz]

As I mentioned, I asked a friend to go over and add some bleach to the pool (3 doses/cups). I also asked him to confirm that it said 8.25%, which it did. He did mention that it said "Concentrated" on it and I could get 186 (i think) washes compared to 125. Will this make a difference (the concentrated part).

[PoolDoc]

"Concentrated" is just a word on the label; it doesn't mean anything. the "8.25% sodium hypochlorite" is the only thing with a real meaning.

[rkooz]

Just got home and tested pool. Looks like I have no chlorine in the pool (stayed white after drops) and the pH looks the shade of 7.2-7.5. I am going to get distiller water now and do the test mentioned above.

Separate question, is it important to put on pool cover?

[Watermom]

If your chlorine is low (below 5ppm), then you don't need to use the distilled water to test pH. That dilution method is only necessary if your chlorine reading is over 5ppm.

Get some chlorine in that pool asap! While you are just using bleach, your chlorine is going to disappear fast since you have no CYA in the pool yet. For now, you probably need to add bleach a couple of times per day so it never drops down to 0 like it apparently did today. That is an open invitation to algae! It doesn't take long for a pool to turn green!

Whether to cover the pool is strictly a matter of preference. It will use less chlorine without the sun's rays hitting the water. But, whether the cover is on or not, you still need to run your pump/filter for several hours per day.

[rkooz]

Ok, my local pool store is closed so I just put in 6 doses of bleach. Is that enough? I am running filter now for the designated 6 hours per instruction manual.

[Watermom]

That should add slightly less than 5ppm of chlorine which is ok for a pool with no CYA. You may need to add some midday tomorrow in addition to your evening dose.

[rkooz]

I added the bleach last night as I mentioned (I actually did 8 doses) and ran the filter as per manual. Checked the levels today and the chlorine looked to be 5ppm (what should it be at and what is CYA stand for?) and the pH looked at 7.5. While my pool is not crystal clear, still having some kind of tinge, it looks really good and the best it has. I hope to have my order from Amazon this weekend which included the unicel filters, test kit and Kem-Tek 013 Pool and Spa All-in-One Concentrated Chlorinating Granules. I have the Mule Borax. Until then I'll use the bleach unless someone suggest different.

Thanks for everyone's help! Much appreciated!!