Hello, New to Forum.

[mcbdz]

Hello, new here and not only trying to get water right but, find where to post.LOL My upgrade got me lost.LOL
Ok, I have 22' x 52" intex metal frame pool with Krystal Clear Cartridge Filter Pump with 2,500 gph (110-120V). None of the good stuff yet. Will order test kit, dichlor and cartridges Friday. Had high pH yesterday and Watermom suggested I get the phenol red and OTO drops from walmart. yesterday was above 8.2 dark pink and the OTO= just yellow about 1-2.With my saltwater test kit that test higher pH it was 8.8 Rained and mostly cloudy yesterday. raining again this morning and cloudy but bright. Added 2c bleach only last night.(DUH<couldn't figure out how to post with my upgraded status) This morning my OTO is yellow 2/4 and the phenol red is lighter pink still 8.2 and my saltwater master kit tested 8.2.
Now just hoping to get on tract and not screw anything else up. kids are dieing to swim between rain breaks.

[Watermom]

I merged your new post from today with the thread you had been using yesterday. It is easy to get lost on the forum when you're new, but you'll learn your way around here!

Until you get the dichlor, you'll probably find that you need to add bleach a couple times per day because without any CYA in there, it will quickly be lost to the sun. For reference, in your pool (approximately 11,400 gallons) each quart of 8.25% bleach will add about 1.8ppm of chlorine. Use that as a reference to help you figure out how much bleach to add.

You should also try and drop your pH a little with some muriatic acid but please read the tab in my signature below about using it safely.

[mcbdz]

Thanks Watermom. I can't get the acid until Friday. Will just add bleach and keep reporting levels until then. Is it safe for the kids to swim?

[Watermom]

Yes, they can swim as long as you have some chlorine in there. The high pH may or may not bother their eyes (probably not) so you might tell them not to open their eyes under water.

[mcbdz]

Yay, it's Friday so I can start getting the stuff I need.

Here is What I have so far on pool chem. OTO=2-4 lighter side. Phenol red= around 7.8. With my master saltwater kit it is reading 7.8 so at least appears to be coming down. I added 2 c bleach during the day yesterday and 2 c last night. Should go to Sam's later to pic up Dichlor. Spray cleaned filter and plan to order taylor lit and filters today.

Vacuumed yesterday Just the cheap vacuum that came with pool but got a lot out. I do have trees in my backyard and the bugs and litter I'm afraid will be a problem. At least the kids help out with netting when they swim. Will pic up some muriatic acid but, should I mess with lowing now or let it come down on it's own? seems like it is dropping slowly.

Thank you for being here and somewhere to turn so hopefully we'll have an enjoyable summer.

[Watermom]

We are glad to help! Your pH is ok at 7.8 for now. If it is coming down on its own, wait a bit before adding the muriatic acid.

[mcbdz]

Good morning.

Ok last night added 1lb of the PoolBrand Quick Dissolving shock. From Sam's club. reads active ingredients: Sodium Dichloro-s-Triazinetrione Hydrated....99%, Other Ingredients.....1%, Total.......100%, Active Chlorine.....55.5%. And put pool cover on since still having lots of rain. Also to help keep bugs and leaves out. Filter running 24hrs.

This mornings readings About 1 hr after cover removed but still overcast. OTO=5/10Dark yellow not orange. Phenol red 7.5 still and with my master kit pH= 7.8. Still waiting on Test kit and filters from Amazon. I think I need to test in a few hours again. Maybe the sun will come out.

Is this way too high to use pool?

I vacuum better in the pool.