newbie in need of advice

[gaineycruzin]

Ok, I have just set up my pool, it holds 5,500 gallons. I have read about the 3 b's but have some questions, please bear with me because I have never owned a pool before. Where do I add the borax and baking soda and how much do I need to use? My chlorine level tested ok, but every thing else tested low or very low. I am using the test strips from wal mart. Please help.....I don't want a green pool!!

[Watermom]

You need results from a drops-based kit. Buy the 5-way kit at Walmart and then post results. We need numbers to be able to help.

Welcome to the forum!

[gaineycruzin]

here are my numbers:
CL 0.6
BR 1.3
PH 7.2
ALK 50ppm
HARDNESS 300
STAB 20

[duraleigh]

Put in one small jug of 6% Clorox. That'll raise your Cl level up around 6. Keep it between 2-5 from there on out. You will consume Clorox daily.

Next add 2 lbs of baking soda. That raise your alkalinity up around 80 or so. Keep it between 80-120.

Read all the "stickys" at the top of each forum. It'll tell you more about all the parameters.

Go Swimming!

[gaineycruzin]

thanks for the advice!! Do I just add the bleach and baking soda directly to the water? Do I need to add any borax? Also, my friendly neighbor has a pool the same size as mine, but hers is looking more like a pond. Could you please give me some advice to turning her pool clear again? Here are her numbers:

CL 1.0

BR 2.2

PH 7.6

ALK 80 ppm

Hardness 200

STAB 105

[Watermom]

If your ph is 7.2, you are ok for now. If it drops any lower, then you'll need to add some Borax to bring it up to 7.4-7.6.

It is OK to add bleach and baking soda to the skimmer while the pump is running.

As for your neighbor - give her our website and let her come and learn how to care for her own pool. A couple of comments I will say about her numbers -- she doesn't have chlorine and bromine in her pool. And, her cya is high and as a result if she chooses not to do a partial drain to lower it, she'll have to run higher than normal chlorine levels to keep algae at bay. I'm sure that is why her pool looks like a pond. Check out this thread.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=365