How/What chemicals to use in pool...

[sturev]

Hi Carrie, yes bleach is part of the whole BBB method that we all swear by here. Here's a good post for you to read first: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=7408 This is a real simple explanation as to what BBB is. Bleach is what is added to pools as a sanitizer (keeps the kids from getting sick from germs while swimming). You can quickly read some of the "sticky posts" at the top of each one of the forum sections here to learn a ton in a very short time.

Since you're filling from city water, you probably won't have any issues with metals in the water, so that's going to be a huge help for you right out of the gate! You would be best to wait to fill the pool until you get the test kit, that way the awesome mods here can give you some really good easy advice as to what to do and keep you from creating a mess.

You'll find that this whole method of taking care of your water is super easy and doesn't take much time at all, you just need to test your water and keep the chlorine & pH levels right and chances are you'll have a sparkling pool all summer long!

Enjoy and welcome to the forum!

[CarlD]

Let me simplify:

You want to do two things with your water:

1) Keep it sanitary--that means kill anything dangerous in it. Chlorine does that--Bleach is the best sanitizer you can use in your house and it works GREAT in pools.

2) Keep it not too acid and not too alkaline--that means keep the pH neutral.

EVERYTHING else you will do is to help and support those two things.

All of the B-B-B method is based on these ideas: Keeping your pool sanitary and pH-neutral.

You are NEXT going to wonder "Well, what should I be looking for?"

For Chlorine levels (measured by the Free Chlorine and Combined Chloramines tests in your new K2006) it will depend on the level of your stabilizer--CYA or Cyanuric Acid. They are related.

Here we have "Ben's Best Guess" table that tells you the amount of chlorine you need in your water (Measured in PPM--Parts per milion) for given levels of stabilizer--also measured in PPM. For starters, we look for a CYA level of 30ppm and for that Free Chlorine should between 3 and 6 PPM (Combined Chloramines should always be Zero--0).

For pH, we suggest between 7.2 and 7.8--I personally like 7.5 as my target, others like 7.6 or 7.7 as it's easier on the eyes. With your pool you should NEVER let pH fall below 7.0--or it could begin to damage the vinyl.

That's 90% of what you need to know at a minimum for your pool.

Welcome! There's no such thing as too small or too big a pool! What cools you off and gives your kids fun is the PERFECT size!

[drako4]

Good Morning,

Thanks to everyone for giving me some VERY USEFUL information. I have looked into getting the Taylor K 2006 test kit and the recommended sites will not ship to
Canada Does anyone know of a supplier up here?

Cheers
Carrie

[Watermom]

I did a little searching and found this link:

http://www.taylortechnologies.com/learnmore_faq.aspx#1

Also, Amazon.com sells the kit. i glanced at their page and it appears they will ship it to Canada, but I didn't read it thoroughly. You'll need to take a closer look or call them.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

[drako4]

Hi Watermom,

Thanks for your time in researching for me None of the sellers through Amazon will ship these test kits to Canada! I have since located the distributor for Taylor here in BC and have been quoted $ 155.00 + $14 for shipping... OUCH!!!! Will keep looking for now

Have a great day!
Carrie

[Watermom]

YIKES!!!

An idea -- make a new thread in the Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry forum called "In Canada: Where to Buy Taylor Kit"

That way it might catch the eye of somebody who might know. Down here buried in this thread, your question will get less exposure. Hope somebody comes along who can help you find someplace!