New Intex above ground owner - Psuedomonas?

[May76]

Ok, we just filled up our Intex 22'x52" Ultra Frame Above Ground Pool and I need to know what to do chemical wise in order to use it for the first time. This is what we have purchased-
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Robelle-Po...e-Kit/24403014
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Aqua-Chemi...25lbs/17126435
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Aqua-Chem-...-10pk/24230341

Should I start out using the Robelle setup/maintenance kit's directions(which start with Algaestroy, then followed by the other stuff) and then add the chlorine tabs to a floater, then wait a few hours and then use shock? The Intex website recommends diluting the tabs in water to avoid bleaching the liner, should I just pop them in there straight out of the bucket anyways?

How long should I wait after all this is said and done till it's safe to enter the pool?
Thanks for any help!

[Watermom]

Can you take that stuff back? It would be great to just use our Super Simple Start-up Recipe instead of the Robelle kit. I have no idea what is in that kit and you don't want to put unknown stuff in your pool. You can read about the recipe here:> http://pool9.net/ssr/

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[May76]

Thanks! I've already opened the kit last night because it came with test strips and I ended up putting two of the Aqua Chem tablets in a floater while running the filter pump thingy.. I have yet to open the box of Aqua Chem Shock though. I went by the pool store today and they tested my water(wasnt sure if the test strips I used were accurate, they weren't). These are the results:
Free Available Chlorine 0.56
Total Chlorine 0.56
Combined Chlorine 0
Ph Level 7
Total Alkalinity 42
Calcium Hardness 61
Cyanuric Acid 3
Copper 0
Iron 0
Manganese 0
Nitrates 0
Total Dissolved Solids 0
Phosphates 0
Saturation Index -1.2
Endure 0

He said we could swim today, but to shock it tonight to bring up the chlorine levels, but not to use anything with Dichlor and instead to use some with Cal-Hyoe? I read the ingredients on my shock and it does contain Dichlor something or other and says you can get in the pool after 15 mins? I don't understand why it would not be compatible with the tablets I'm using since they are made by the same company. Will it bring my CYA up too much if I use it tonight? Will the chlorine levels be safe by tomorrow morning if I use it tonight? I'm scared to use those strips now since they aren't accurate and I think the pool place is closed tomorrow. Spent so much money on these chemicals and would hate for them to go to waste... Should I use them this summer and do the bbb method next year? I'm so confused over all this stuff

[Watermom]

First thing is you need to get your own kit. Pool stores are notorious for inaccurate testing. I can tell by looking at your numbers that they are totally bogus. Test strips are no better.

The test kit that we think is by far the best is the Taylor K2006 or 2006C (better buy). Not available locally but you can get it through this link that takes you to Amazon: http://pool9.net/tk/

But, in the meantime, go to Walmart and see if they have the HTH 6-Way drops-based kit (no test strips!) and get that. If they don't, get an OTO/Phenol Red kit (yellow and red drops) instead. Use it to test and then post your numbers.

It makes no sense for him to tell you that you can't use dichlor. That is totally ridiculous. However, many pool chemical companies are adding unwanted ingredients into their products that can cause problems. I have no idea what is in the AquaChem products. What are the specific ingredients in the dichlor and trichlor?

For this evening while you are figuring out what to use, why don't you just add a little bleach to your pool. Maybe about 2/3 of one of the 121-oz jugs of Walmart's generic bleach. Pour it slowly into the skimmer while the pump is running or in front of a return jet. That will keep some chlorine in there and keep algae away. It won't take long for a new pool to turn green! It is fine to swim a half hour or so after you add bleach. Just give it a few minutes to mix in.

Until you get some CYA built up, your chlorine isn't gonna stick around long. So, you may have to add bleach a couple times per day.

[May76]

Thank you. I tried looking online for those two test kits at Walmart(the HTC and OTO) but it says they are not carried in my area).

I just priced the Taylor test kits and the ingredients and I don't think it's going to be doable right now after the money we spent on the other chemicals, pool, and the fact that my husband is currently replacing the deck on the back of our house. So I'm probably going to be stuck trying to swing it and get by with the current stuff and try the bbb method next summer. Unless you have any other suggestions? Should I just go ahead and use the shock I have tonight since I'm not going to be able to do the bbb method yet? Thanks for the help!

[Watermom]

Not knowing if there are other unwanted ingredients in those products, I can't really advise you very well. The dichlor you have may be ok but without knowing exact ingredients, can't say for sure.

Without being able to test accurately and without knowing what ingredients you are putting in your pool, unfortunately, I think our ability to help is pretty limited.