stabilizer and hardener

[woman.n.a.shoe]

Over the past 3 days we have added 6 stabilizer tablets and 2 1/4 lbs of hardner and neither are rising. The ph keeps having to be added. Since we just put it up again no one has been in it. Does anyone have any ideas why we can't get these levels up?

hardness 100
total chlorine 3
free chlorine 3
ph between 6.8 and 7.2
total alkalinity 120
stabalizer 0

Thanks,
Alicia

4000 gal above ground intex pool

[KurtV]

Over the past 3 days we have added 6 stabilizer tablets and 2 1/4 lbs of hardner and neither are rising. The ph keeps having to be added. Since we just put it up again no one has been in it. Does anyone have any ideas why we can't get these levels up?

It will take a few days for the stabilizer (aka cyanuric acid, CYA) to dissolve. Be patient because it's much more difficult to get out than it is to add it if you overshoot.

You don't need to worry about your calcium hardness; more of it won't do anything for your vinyl pool.

What are you using to raise your pH? Most people here use plain, old 20 Mule Team Borax with great effectiveness.

hardness 100
total chlorine 3
free chlorine 3
ph between 6.8 and 7.2
total alkalinity 120
stabalizer 0

Thanks,
Alicia

4000 gal above ground intex pool

Everything actually looks fine except for your pH and CYA. Just wait for the CYA and keep slugging the water with Borax, a little at a time, until your pH comes up.

[woman.n.a.shoe]

Thanks for your help. As for the ph, we had already aquachem ph add but as soon as it is gone we are going to start using boric acid.

Thanks again,
Alicia

[Davenj]

Won't presume to address your problem. The consensus here is to ditch the test strips and get a good drop test kit. And post your results. Sorry I can't help.

[Watermom]

Thanks for your help. As for the ph, we had already aquachem ph add but as soon as it is gone we are going to start using boric acid.

Thanks again,
Alicia

Boric acid is not the same thing as Borax. Use 20 Mule Team Borax to raise your ph. Not boric acid.

[smallpooldad]

Agree with good test kit. Get the one sold on this site or a Taylor Technologies kit. Test strips are not very accurate. As far as the CYA test kit the big tube with the plunger is good from Pentair/Taylor; just make sure that you pour and do not squirt the test liquid into the CYA test kit tube or your will get a false low reading as the bubbles stir it up.