Ready to just throw in the towel

[Atgresch]

I am feeling really discouraged and anxious about my ability to figure pool math out. Sorry in advance for the long status report and question! I have a small 10x30 summer waves pool. My thought was to figure this out then next summer upgrade. I'm ready to say heck with it. Everything seems so complicated. I have a TF pro test kit.
Anyway, I put our pool up not entirely prepared. Realized I did not have stabilizer which is coming today (chlorox granual). The water sat for a day, kids played, before I added anything to it. After that I added liquid shock as my chlorine (3oz). Next day did the same, chlorine read 0. Next day I added clorox balance tabs to raise alkalinity and ph. Also added chlorine. Still reads 0. Last night, my pool was 0 chlorine, ph 6.8 and I tried the alkalinity test and it's either 90 or 110 (directions say it should turn red but was light pink at 9, darker pink at 10 drops? Was this correct? Or should I have kept going until dark pink became red? Etc.)
I am hoping chlorine reading 0 is from lack of cya. But how do I add the granual stabilizer now? (It will have to be mixed in a bucket, no skimmer on pool). And then how do I get chlorine up? I'm scared of creating an ammonia storm. Please help.
I asked my husband for help and he thinks if the water is kind of clear, which it is, let kids swim. But I don't want anyone to get sick.

 

[ajw22]

Show us pics of the labels on the clorox balance tabs.

Your FC is not going to stay for more then a few hours in the sun without stabilizer.

You need to get 30ppm of stabilizer in your pool when you get it. Best way to dissolve it is to put it in a sock and hang it over the pool return. Squeeze it every few few hours.

 

[Atgresch]

Show us pics of the labels on the clorox balance tabs.

Your FC is not going to stay for more then a few hours in the sun without stabilizer.

You need to get 30ppm of stabilizer in your pool when you get it. Best way to dissolve it is to put it in a sock and hang it over the pool return. Squeeze it every few few hours.

First, Thank you for your non judgemental response. I wasn't sure what I'd get. So I should do this first, add stabilizer, even with 0 chlorine? ( I cannot have any FC if chlorine yellow drop test is 0 correct? )

 

[Atgresch]

Also, it was arm&ham

First, Thank you for your non judgemental response. I wasn't sure what I'd get. So I should do this first, add stabilizer, even with 0 chlorine? ( I cannot have any FC if chlorine yellow drop test is 0 correct? )

A&H clear balance, I was wrong.

 

[mknauss]

A&H clear balance,

That was baking soda. Will raise the TA.

 

[Kaylee34]

Hi there! Relax, we’re here to help.
Yes, add 30 ppm of stabilizer as soon as you get it.

Correct, it FC is 0 you have none. The sun burns off chlorine quickly. That’s why you need stabilizer.

For safety reasons, please do not let the kids swim if you can’t clearly see the bottom of the pool.

 

[ajw22]

So I should do this first, add stabilizer, even with 0 chlorine?

Yes, add the stabilizer as soon as you get it.

Keep adding liquid chlorine anytime you see your FC is 0 to keep algae away.

Test your water 30 minutes after adding the liquid chlorine and see what FC you show at that time.

( I cannot have any FC if chlorine yellow drop test is 0 correct? )

Use your FAS/DPD R0870/0871 test for chlorine.

Does the sample turn red from the DPD powder? If so you have some chlorine in the water.

 

[ajw22]

Also, it was arm&ham

A&H clear balance, I was wrong.

Show us pics of all the chemicals you are using.

Something you are using is lowering your pH.

What is the pH, TA and CH of your fill water?

 

[ajw22]

What is the date code on the liquid chlorine you are using?

Chlorine Date Code Decoder - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Breakdown of Bleach Over Time by Storage Temp - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Atgresch]

Show us pics of all the chemicals you are using.

Something you are using is lowering your pH.

What is the pH, TA and CH of your fill water?

 

[Atgresch]

Home now so posted pics. I added 3 mini tabs yesterday morning to float out of frustration and because I knew they had some stabilizer in them. Not sure where to start tonight. I got the stabilizer. Do that first or shock with bleach? If think the liquid shock chlorine is old.

 

[Texas Splash]

At, you have several folks helping, so I don't want to pile on the stuff. But I wanted to let you know that according to the pic of that chlorine bottle it is very old. 2020 old. It's no good. As for the Clorox bleach, they add polymers for fabrics and may cause issues with pool water. Best to find a different chlorine.

Lastly, I don't think this was mentioned but....... Your Summer Waves pool is just over 1,000 gallons correct? If so, you may want to manage this pool as noted in the following link. While you have a great test kit, the link below might make some of your next steps easier.

Guide for Seasonal/Temporary Pools

Smaller seasonal pools can see just as much enjoyment as their larger counterparts. In this guide we'll show you how to maintain your temporary pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Atgresch]

At, you have several folks helping, so I don't want to pile on the stuff. But I wanted to let you know that according to the pic of that chlorine bottle it is very old. 2020 old. It's no good. As for the Clorox bleach, they add polymers for fabrics and may cause issues with pool water. Best to find a different chlorine.

Lastly, I don't think this was mentioned but....... Your Summer Waves pool is just over 1,000 gallons correct? If so, you may want to manage this pool as noted in the following link. While you have a great test kit, the link below might make some of your next steps easier.

Guide for Seasonal/Temporary Pools

Smaller seasonal pools can see just as much enjoyment as their larger counterparts. In this guide we'll show you how to maintain your temporary pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

Thank you. Is that splash chlorine ok, just get a new one? I cannot find a regular bleach anywhere! I'm scared to add stabilizer with 0 chlorine. But I also have no idea wtf I'm doing so there is that.

 

[Texas Splash]

Is that splash chlorine ok,

No, that's the one that is from 2020. It's useless for the pool. You'll want to get a new bottle.

Until you can get stabilizer in the water, only add about 3 ppm of chlorine or bleach. Chlorine is very strong with little to no stabilizer in the water.

 

[ajw22]

There is no problem adding stabilizer with 0 chlorine.

You can add stabilizer and chlorine together or separately in any order.

There are many sources for liquid chlorine.

Liquid Chlorine - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[farmy87]

Thank you. Is that splash chlorine ok, just get a new one? I cannot find a regular bleach anywhere! I'm scared to add stabilizer with 0 chlorine. But I also have no idea wtf I'm doing so there is that.

As mentioned that particular jug is no good as it is 3 years old. But that brand of chlorine is fine. I believe you got it from Menards, I've never seen int more than a couple months old so guessing you've had that jug for awhile? I use that brand all the time, it is 12.5%. If you have a Fleet Farm near by they also sell 12.5% in 4 gallon packs. If you're looking for stabilizer locally Menards also has that:

 

[Mdragger88]

Chlorine is king - so keep that at 3ppm with some fresh liquid chlorine asap until you get the stabilizer going in the sock.
After which you will aim for high target for your cya
FC/CYA Levels


Many here find fresh unadulterated liquid chlorine at Walmart

Your ta is high enough that you should be able to increase ph by simply pointing your jets up so they aerate the water .
Don’t use any more of the baking soda tablets.
The clorox tablets in the picture are trichlor - they add fc, cya & are acidic- the first two things sound good but you don’t need more acid.
Only use those (in a floater) if you need to be away from the pool a few days & cannot dose.
If your pool is 10’ round by 30” tall your volume is approximately 1500 gallons
Here’s what each 1/2 oz of dissolved Trichlor will do

In a small pool you really need to know your exact volume or things can get wonky fast as theres not much wiggle room. If you’re unsure let us know.

 

[Atgresch]

Thank you everyone! Got my husband reading and helping. Going to keep trying!

 

[RLP]

You wont be sorry. @Newdude , show them the sparkle they will have.

 

[Newdude]

Whether it's 10 ft or 40 ft, water is water and we GOT you.