Help...(don't laugh) 12'x30" Intex Pool....first timer!

[kittyprrrs]

Ok. Getting the "jist" of all this finally! Thank you all, so much, for clearing this up for me.

First off, I have to say, I got treated like an utter moron at Leslie's Pool Supply yesterday. I went in to purchase 2 filters (I have OCD and I have to buy things in pairs....yeah, I feel for hubby!) and started asking about (because my g/f's dad said they were quite knowledgable and very 'friendly') chlorine tablets (I assume this is the puck thing that CarlD was suggesting to) with a 'floater'. They looked at me like "what?". SO, I pointed out what I was talking about and they were trying to sell me a 10 gallon bucket of "pucks!". OMG! What? Where do you suggest I keep a 10 gallon of 'pucks'?

Secondly, they asked me "what size is your pool?" I said to them that "I got her (as I had my daughter with me) the 12'x30" Intex round pool. It hold 1353 gallons of water and I believe the pump I have pumps 500 gal/hr, which I have just purchased the upgraded 12R that supposedly pumps 1000 gal/hr. Also, I purchased an Intex skimmer that I am waiting on a part to hook up to the new pump and help keep my pool clean". If he could have 'rolled' his eyes, he would have! It was that look that I get quite often at pool supply stores the look of "Oh god....get a REAL pool". He showed me the filters and 'walked' away and started helping another customer! I stood there looking at the other customer and thinking "Hello...I'm holding my daughter and I was here first...isn't this a 'first come first serve' basis?". So, I put the extension pole that I was considering purchasing back, the 'floater', the chemicals to test my water, the new floatie I was about to buy for Carisa, one filter (yeah I fought myself with this), a hose that I was going to buy for my McGyver along with the attachment to roll around the bottom...everything went back. So, instead of almost purchasing quite a bit and spending even more "bit", I spent 6.99 + tax. Said thanks and walked out.

Seriously, don't these people KNOW that if I had the SPACE I would have PUT an IG pool already? Why do they feel they must treat you like you are an idiot to buy an AG pool? Customer service just ISN'T what it used to be! Grrr....

Ok...ranting done! So, now...
1. CarlD "use that GREAT trick of an empty floater, a stocking and hanging the CYA in it!"-Cya...Stabilizer is what it is called at the store right? And you really do mean a "stocking" right? Like...nylon...stocking? Cause I got plenty of those...real stocking...from DK but...it will work right? Hmmm...I'll hang it with the garters! hahahahahha! Kidding...Seriously though, which one works better? Nylon/Tube sock?

2. Aylad/Janet "cal-hypo"-is this a brand?

3. Aylad/Janet "You can still use it for awhile, but at some point you're going to have to switch to bleach."-Ok when you say "bleach" you do mean either granules of chlorine or the 'puck + floater' device correct?

4. Aylad/Janet "....what you mean by Cl at 1/2--do you mean .5 ppm"- Well, on my 'test tube' it says CL/BR and the next cell says PH. The CL (I assume that is Chlorine?) was the color of 1 and 2. Not quite 1, not quite 2. So, if you looked at the BR it would have been between 2 & 4. Makes sense? I don't even know what I am looking at in these vials...that is how clueless I am!

5.Aylad/Janet "While you're at it, go ahead and add the label dose of CYA (the stabilizer) to get to 20 ppm. Don't broadcast it in the pool, though--either put it in the skimmer and don't backwash and retest for at least a week, or put it in a tube sock and put it in the skimmer or tied in front of a return."- So, now that my number went from .5 to 1/2, does that change how much (I would think so...but need clarification) 'stabilizer/CYA' I add to the pool? "Backwash"-uhm...I don't understand this term in pool terms...soda term and cup terms yeah....please define? sorry...really don't know much about pools! When you say "tube sock" you really do mean a 'tube sock' right? Cause I have a dozen right now I can tear through...thanks to the hubby and they are even new...! I know..I'm goofy!

As for the pool, I woke up this morning and found that my husband (bless him) has decided that the pool was 'lopsided' and he didn't like the placement of the air valve for the ring nor the filter (although he does not maintain the pool, I get to...so a learning I will go!) placement. The mad man pumped all the water out! *shaking head*....I tell you...when you don't want them to help, they help....when you want them to help, they don't. Please....why are men like this? Or...does this question belong in a another forum? ahahahaha!

Thank you all so very much for the help I've received so far. I am learning quite a bit and I truly appreciate it!

Awaiting more advice and knowledge....