New Guy, New Pool, Already been Pool-Stored... Always happy to learn

[Skeet Shooter]

Thanks Doc, yea definitely boys and their toys kind of thing... But i already have many expensive hobbies hah. Any how yea with PB, I need to get myself a good test kit... Those strips just don't quite tell the whole story for me. I think I will start doing this tomorrow, since I will have my kit by then, and I'll start raising the chlorine levels... right now my PH and Chlorine level is very low (based on what those strips are saying) so it might take a while to bring up my chlorine and PH levels. But I'll keep at it and start posting results once I have my test kit.

[Watermom]

Did you order a Taylor K2006?

Also, most of us use 20 Mule Team Borax (laundry aisle at Walmart) to raise pH instead of soda ash since it will raise pH without affecting TA.

[Skeet Shooter]

Thanks Watermom for the insight... I was over looking at the BBB method from TroubleFreePool.com Looks like they recommend the same. I will be getting the HTH 6 way tester, as I need to go to Walmart anyway for the Borax, Bleach and, Baking Soda.

[PoolDoc]

I think I will start doing this tomorrow, since I will have my kit by then, and I'll start raising the chlorine levels... right now

I hope you ordered a K2006 -- as far as we know, you can not get one locally. You CAN get a cheap OTO / phenol red kit, and those are worth having, even if you have a K2006.

[Watermom]

The 6-way kit can only test chlorine levels up to 5ppm. If you can, you are better off getting a Taylor K2006.

[Skeet Shooter]

Ah I did not know that... So i guess I will have to Order the Taylor then. Sucks that its 3x the price though...

[Watermom]

Yeah but definitely worth it. You won't regret it.

[Skeet Shooter]

Hi just got my test kit:

pH was less than 7
FC: 1.4PPM
CC: 0
Calcium Hardness: 70ppm
Alkalinity: 40ppm

So I'm currently adding 1 gallon of 8.1% Liquid Bleach to the skimmer every hour till chlorine reaches 5ppm right? As far as PH, that should come up as well, however should i also add Borax as well or should I wait.

Thanks,

Jason

[PoolDoc]

1. Add borax, a box at a time, till your pH is above 7.0. Allow 1 at least hour of pump ON time, before retesting pH. Add it slowly, to the skimmer, with the pump running.

2. For now, add 1 gallon dose of bleach each evening, directly to the skimmer, but NOT on top of any tabs. (Make sure bleach and tabs NEVER touch!)

3. What is your stabilizer level? If your CYA (stabilizer) is low, chlorine will NOT last through out a day of full sun, no matter how much you add. Instead, if you have swimmers during the day and have low CYA, pour 1/8 to 1/4 gallon doses into the skimmer periodically. This is in ADDITION to your evening gallon. I'd recommend getting a cheap OTO/phenol red kit, for quick testing during the day: add chlorine if you have swimmers and the OTO results aren't medium yellow or darker; skip doses of chlorine test result IS dark yellow.