New 12' x 3' Intex pool in Texas

[garry]

Hey Watermom and PoolDoc,

Thanks for the info so far. Been reading the forums and learning a lot. We've had several of the Intex 12' blow up ring pools over the last 5 years. But last year we lost one due to hail (which insurance replaced, along with some siding on the house) and had trouble keeping the water balanced using the test strips as a general guide (what ya'll would call a guess) and the pool store testing. After reading the forums I am guessing that even pool stores don't get it right. So, yes I'll be ordering the Taylor kit.

After the first water sample the pool store sold/recommended we add a conditioner ( http://www.lesliespool.com/Home/Pool...ers/12306.html ), the Chlor Brite (PoolDoc got it right) and 1" Chlor Tabs ( http://www.lesliespool.com/Home/Pool...abs/12161.html ) in a floating chlorinator.

This is where we are now with the second pool store test results:
Free Chlorine = 4ppm
Total Chlorine = 4ppm
Calcium Hardness = 150
Cyanuric Acid = 99ppm
Total Alkalinity = 140ppm
pH = 7.8
Total dissolved solids = 350
Phosphates = 300 ppb

Their plan was to add dry acid to reduce TA, add soda ash to increase Calcium hardness and add PHOSfree (http://www.lesliespool.com/Home/Pool...ers/14105.html) to reduce phosphates.

At this point all I have done is add some dry acid (the guess strip still shows TA as high), but the water is clear. For now I'll follow ya'lls advice, get the test kit, not worry about alkalinity (or the calcium - I am learning by reading the forums!) and monitor ph and chlorine levels.

Thanks again

[PoolDoc]

We've had several of the Intex 12' blow up ring pools over the last 5 years.

That's consistent with what I've heard elsewhere on the Forum -- the Easy-Set pools don't last long. But we also hear of individual Intex metal frame pools lasting 5 years. You might want to consider switching next time.

[garry]

Got the Taylor test kit:

Free chlorine = 9
PH = 7.8
Total Alkalinity = 290
CYA = 90

Water is clear. Wondering what you would recommend at this point?

[Watermom]

What are you using for chlorine at this point? With a CYA of 90, it is time to just use bleach. You don't want your CYA any higher.