Yay!!!New pool!!!

[jo3ponies]

Darn...it won't even work when I copy and paste it! I'm ready to order it when it's ready to let me. Will see if I can access the SSS link. I sure don't want to mess this up so I hope you hurry and get me completed. Just figuring out how to use forums. I am also ready to register as a subscriber if that will help get the info better.

[Watermom]

Were you logged out when you copied and pasted the link? It should work.
If you are interested in becoming a subscriber, it does make your posts get priority attention especially when we get busy.

[PoolDoc]

You're membership has been updated, so you shouldn't have any problems with access now.

Regarding the high calcium -- I wouldn't worry about it -- it may not be a problem at all. Go ahead and get the K2006 -- they are essential with well water. And follow the list below:

1. Use ONLY borax to raise the pH, if it's low. Never use soda ash (pH UP).

2. Do NOT ever add calcium to your pool -- even if a pool store tells you it's essential.

3. Do NOT add baking soda (alkalinity increaser) to the pool unless WE tell you to do so.

4. Read the muriatic acid page (http://pool9.net/ma/) and make sure you're ready to use MA to lower the pH as needed.

5. ONLY use bleach, dichlor or trichlor to chlorinate.

6. If you have a salt system that came with your pool, turn it off. Until you have learned to fully manage your chemistry, running a SWCG on pool water with very high calcium will just break it.

7. Do NOT use calcium hypochlorite shock, ever. (Ironically, depending on your filter, it may be possible to use cal hypo to BOTH chlorinate AND lower your calcium -- but even here, I'm the only one who can tell you how. So for now, no cal hypo).

8. If you don't have one, get an OTO / phenol red drops kit from Walmart. Get an HTH 6-way, if available. Get a cheapo model if not. Test your pool and post the results. Keep your pH low-ish (7.0 - 7.4)

9. Do NOT buy and use any clarifier, floc, or products to help with calcium. Usually, they end up making things worse, not better.

10. Order the K2006 . . . and watch the videos. As soon as you get the kit, test the pool and post results.

[Watermom]

To clarify PoolDoc's step #8 ---- if you get the HTH 6-Way kit, you don't need the OTO/phenol red kit because the 6-Way kit has an OTO kit in it. Do NOT get the 6-Way test strips. Only the 6-Way drops-based kit.

[PoolDoc]

Thx, WM.

[jo3ponies]

I've got the Borax and bleach and did the fill up process according to the 7 day Simple Startup. I added bleach and Borax according to their instruction the first evening of pool was completely filled. I had seen a bit of algae and a water bug so I added extra bleach and Borax according to the instructions in the 7 day SS. Will take my first test (3 way drops I had previously purchased) in the morning and let you know what I find. Went to Sam's for Dichlor but they loaded up Chlorine Tablets instead. Will return and get the stabilized Chlorine tomorrow. (Darn it). Ordering K2006 tomorrow also. (Hope it isn't too expensive. Was shocked that the plain Chlorine Tabs were $80!!!) AAAAwwwk! Can I afford this? I'll find a way....Do they still make those little swim caps we used to wear in PE?

[PoolDoc]

Trichlor is stabilized, but it's not what the SSR specifies.

However, you *can* use it, if you like, and it's actually cheaper per unit of chlorine added. But you'll need more borax (trichlor is acidic). Keep in mind, the SSR was developed for pools smaller than yours. Also, if you use trichlor, you'll need to get some floaters, from Walmart, etc. You can put 2 - 5 tabs in them, and let them float around the pool.

Since you're getting the K2006, the trichlor would be an acceptable way to go -- but it's a little more complex than the dichlor approach in the SSR. With trichlor, the formula will be trichlor + borax + bleach to shock or boost chlorine levels, since there's no quick way to add the trichlor.

[jo3ponies]

Okay, yes the dichlor was listed as a "must have" under the Intex Pool Care Plan in the same article. So right now I have the plain 99.9% 3" chlorine tablet (40lb), 5 gallons of concentrated Clorox liquid, and Borax. Is it necessary for me to exchange my Chorine tabs for dichlor or just go with what I've got for now? This morning readings with the 3 way drops: Chlorine .5-1, Ph 7.9. Looks like I still need more chlorine.

[PoolDoc]

As I noted above, you can use the trichlor, but you'll need the floaters and more borax. The trichlor will be cheaper, overall, and probably better for a larger pool.

[jo3ponies]

I'll try to find the trichlor but I'm rural so don't make the drive to larger town often. I do have the 40lbs of 3" chlorine tablets and will can use them (instead of returning to the store) if that is advisable. Is there any way they would work? Haven't seen any "trichlor" in any of the suppliers available to me.

Tried subscribing but if paypal is the only option I will not be able to do that. Is there any other payment method? I have all major credit cards or can mail check, cash or MO.