No chlorine in water

[berlin]

My pool gives me only problems..have not used it once this year
25 000 gallon with vinyl liner
I tried to chlorinate and fix it myself
Last week I went to the pool store and had it tested
when I came back I had a cart with 220 dollar worth of
chemicals waiting for me
I started with alkilinity went to calcium and
10 bags of shock while the numbers went up
I have no reading for chlorine
Yesterday, 2 days later another 8 bags of shock
today no change..I also have a float with small tabletts.
Please advise..I NEED HELP

[Watermom]

You are, as we like to say around here, being "pool-stored' bigtime! We really need current water testing numbers to be able to help, taken with a drops-based kit (no strips). If you don't have a kit, let the pool store test for you but don't buy anything else from them. Then repost with your numbers and somebody here can try and help. We also need to know what type of filter you have and also exactly what all you have put in your pool -- meaning ingredients, not just "shock."

You'll also want to invest in your own kit so you won't have to rely on the pool store. We like the Taylor K-2006. You can get one for under $50 at this link. It will be money well spent.

http://www.amatoind.com/taylor-k2006-test-p-555.html

BTW -- Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[aylad]

Wanted to add my welcome to the forum!!

One of the reasons you don't have a chlorine reading is because you have no stabilizer in the water, which protects your chlorine from the sun. So for now, the sun is partially the problem. Another part of the problem is probably stuff the pool store sold you that's eating up the chlorine you're putting in. Watermom is right, as usual--if you will test with a drop-based kit, or have the pool store test for you and come post your results here, along with the ingredients of whatever you've added to the pool,(not just "shock", but the actual ingredient) we can help you get it clear and easy to maintain.

Janet

[CarlD]

You were "Pool Stored"! They took advantage of your desperation and the fact you lack knowledge--something we can correct. We've all been where you are--we empathize.

Two tips:

You don't need to worry about Alkalinity now. When you do, we'll save you a fortune because you can increase your alkalinity with ....BAKING SODA! That was all that's in the package of "Alkalinity Increaser" they sold you.

You NEVER need to add calcium to a vinyl pool--total waste of money. Calcium is solely for concrete/tiled type pools. No matter what the pool store guys say calcium is ONLY to prevent the concrete and mortar from having its calcium leeched out.

The only reason to use tablets is the add stabilizer, which you probably need.

But you really need a simplified plan of attack. We always start at our basic: Bleach. Yup, bleach. It's one of the best sources of chlorine and has the least side effects.

We'll go from there.