Cannot find plain bleach

[FormerBromineUser]

Good comment, Jim.

You didn't mention your pool surface type. If it's vinyl, and your CH is okay, you could use cal-hypo (bags labelled only calcium hypochlorite and other/inert) until you find some sod-hypo (liquid chlorine/bleach).

[CarlD]

The pH problem can easily be controlled by adding Borax on a regular basis, at least until you get bleach or LC. Tri-Chlor tabs are HIGHLY acidic and push pH down. OTOH, Borax in sufficient levels can be an algae inhibitor. The REAL problem with Tri-Chlor tabs and Di-Chlor powder is they continually increase your CYA (stabilizer) level, forcing you to use higher and higher FC levels.

But you can use Cal-Hypo powder for a while as FBU suggests, but you'll need to watch your CH level. As CH rises, you'll THEN need to watch your TA too. If TA hits 200 and CH goes to 400 or 500 you could see calcium clouding and scaling. At that time, lowering TA should clear it up...but then you cannot use Cal-Hypo anymore. Be sure that the Cal-Hypo is 60% or higher. The 48% garbage sold at places like WalMart is worthless.

Since it's late July and most people in the NE look to close after Labor Day, you should be able to finish out the season. If the Cal-hypo and tri-chlor/di-chlor are your only options, you may want to drain and refill you pool, no more than half way. It will lower both CH and CYA levels and give you "room" for next season.