First time poster - excited to use BBB method but have a question!

[rdbrya1]

Thanks everyone!! This is making a lot more sense!! Sorry for the late reply, I had been checking to see if my first post was approved so I must have missed it when it was

And crap about the chlorine tablets adding all the other stuff argh! I JUST purchased a 50lbs tub of tablets. I am going to go look at the ingredients now. Of course I am kicking myself because I spent extra $$ to get the "super skimmer tablets" that supposedly did all kind of extra stuff (I only did this before even knowing of the BBB method or knowing there was any other alternative other than regular pool store chemicals).

It says:
72% available stabilized chlorine.
79.2% Trichlor-S-Triazinetrine, each tab weighs 7oz.

I def do NOT want to add copper to my pool!!!! It says prevents algae but doesn't mention anything about copper.

It is these:
http://www.intheswim.com/Pool-Chemic...-Skimmer-Tabs/

Do they make a chlorine tablet that just simply adds chlorine?

Thanks again everyone!

[rdbrya1]

Just me again! Just wanted to add that the reason I like the tablets as opposed to adding the bleach everyday is simply because of our work schedules, we go out of town for 2-4 days at a time very frequently. I do not want to have to bother neighbors or family to come add bleach to the pool if we are gone for 3 days. So I was hoping to be able to use the tablets and then still continue test with my test kit every day that I am home and check the levels and add baking soda/borax/washing soda/acid as needed. I am hoping this is feasible to do, but I could be wrong and maybe the BBB method just will not work in my case. But if it will work, that way I am still not buying the unnecessary and not to mention $$ pool store chemicals but am able to keep my pool balanced on my own.

[BigDave]

Can you return the "Super Tabs"? Generally , you'll find no love for combo action product around here. This product is worse than many because they don't tell you what is in it. 79.2% Trichlor, 20.8% Secret Sauce. As CarlD points out, your pool already has pretty high CYA and Low pH has been a problem. It's probably best to avoid stabilized chlorine altogether.

Sorry, I know of no tabs that don't add stabilizer. Most of use bleach or liquid chlorine (same thing, LC may be stronger) which adds only chlorine and a little(not enought to ever worry about) salt. Another popular option is Calcium Hypochlorite which adds chlorine and calcium.

The most important thig to do to set yourself free of the chemical store is to order a Taylor K-2006 (or K-2006C). If you order through the link in PoolDoc's sig (above) the form gets some coin to keep the lights on. Next this is to read all you can here and at pool solutions.com. The BBB and Best Guess links in PoolDoc's Sig are great for starting.

Good luck, we're here to help.

[BigDave]

Just read your follow up post, Maybe bleach when you are home tabs when away? Maybe add enough bleach to get you through your expected absence? Or even stay on tabs. What ever you do, do make sure to keep your Free Chlorine above the minimum on the Best Guess chart for your CYA and your pool will stay clean.

[PoolDoc]

Do they make a chlorine tablet that just simply adds chlorine?

Sams Club sells "PoolBrand" tablets that are undiluted trichlor. These Kem-Tek tablets are 95% trichlor, which is better than most:
Kem-Tek 3-Inch Chlorinating Chlorine Tablets for Pool and Spa

Kem-Tek's MSDS doesn't list the 'other' ingredients, but I just talked to one of their techs, and she told me it's boric acid, which is fine. She also told me that they are now producing Kem-Tek Power 99 which is undiluted, and will be available on Amazon later this season.

[rdbrya1]

Thanks to all of you for the help!! I will most definitely order my test kit from the link in the signature to support this board.

Hopefully this doesn't sound dumb but I just wanted to make sure I understood correctly - that the Sam's Brand tablets that are 99% active ingredient undiluted trichlor...does that mean they do not add any stabilizer?

I have been keeping my FC around 2-3 and have not had any problems but based on the best guess chart it says I should keep it at 5. I am wondering should I increase it or leave it alone.

Unfortunately I cannot return the 50Lbs super skimmer tablets so I will have to decide if its worth losing the money or not and tossing them or trying to use them :-(

[PoolDoc]

1. Trichlor is, molecularly, a stabilizer molecule with 3 attached chlorine atoms. So, 100% trichlor does add stabilizer.

2. You can probably get away with lower chlorine levels in cool weather, but once water temps hit 70 degrees, you need to match your chlorine to your CYA level.

3. I found label info here: http://www.kellysolutions.com/erenew...1_26_02_AM.pdf

Your tabs are 80% trichlor, 10% borax, and 10% aluminum sulfate. The borax is fine -- it will keep the pH from dropping so much. The aluminum sulfate (alum) is OK . . . IF you have a sand filter. If you have a cartridge filter, you will need to clean more often. If you have a DE filter, you may also need to clean more, but I don't think the alum will hurt the filter.

This formulation does NOT contain copper, which is what stains pools.

[CarlD]

1. T
Your tabs are 80% trichlor, 10% borax, and 10% aluminum sulfate. The borax is fine -- it will keep the pH from dropping so much. The aluminum sulfate (alum) is OK . . . IF you have a sand filter. If you have a cartridge filter, you will need to clean more often. If you have a DE filter, you may also need to clean more, but I don't think the alum will hurt the filter.

This formulation does NOT contain copper, which is what stains pools.

I am guessing they are cutting the tri-chlor with cheaper ingredients that are not as destructive as others. Since tri-chlor tends to be very acidic, the borax would offset that, and, as Ben says, borates can inhibit algae. I don't know much about aluminum sulfate, but I am guessing it is a pH raiser as well.

[PoolDoc]

Carl, aluminum sulfate is an old-line floc and filter aid. It used to be fairly standard on commercial pools to feed small amounts of aluminum sulfate upstream of sand filters. It has the fairly unique quality of being able -- under certain conditions -- to tie up or capture metal ions. But I've never been able to find out exactly what those conditions were.

[CarlD]

Ah! I bow to your superior knowledge!
I'd still bet it helps reduce the production cost of those tri-chlor tabs...but, then again, I do have a cynical streak!