Hey everyone, I just want to start off saying I'm a complete noob when it comes to pools. I just bought my first home and it came with inground pool... It had a brand new green safety cover on. I pulled the cover off and the pool was extremely green. Since I'm new to the whole pool thing I went to local pool guy to try and get some info and instructions. Turns out the pool guy closed my pool two years ago and it hasn't been opened since. Anyway I had the guy come out and open the pool. He dumped 3lbs of shock into the pool on Monday and told me to leave the pump on 24/7 and backwash every couple hours. I followed his instructions and the pool is still hulk green... I got frustrated went out and bought algicid and dumped 32 onces of that stuff into pool last night. Again I'm a super noobie in need of some guidance. I have pictures but I don't know how to post them to thread. Can someone please point me in the right direction and school school me in this whole pool thing....
Bought a home with pool have no idea what I'm doing...
- Thread starter Wclarke5
- Start date
Welcome!
Begin with the ABC's in pool school first. Work your way into other articles and digest it as you can. There is a ton of info there, but you can take it in bites. Don't get overwhelmed and ask all the questions you need to here even if you think they are dumb. They aren't, and no one is born knowing this information. To do this on your own, you will have to have a proper test kit. Others will post links and suggestions on that. Welcome again, and enjoy the forum.
Begin with the ABC's in pool school first. Work your way into other articles and digest it as you can. There is a ton of info there, but you can take it in bites. Don't get overwhelmed and ask all the questions you need to here even if you think they are dumb. They aren't, and no one is born knowing this information. To do this on your own, you will have to have a proper test kit. Others will post links and suggestions on that. Welcome again, and enjoy the forum.
That's easy, just click on the Pool School tab near the top of the page. I'll add some more shortly if no one beats me to it.
Welcome To TFP.
Welcome!
My advice is the same as others, with the additional caveat to not go pouring mystery chemicals (algaecide) in to the pool. Some may actually make things worse for you down the road if they have copper in them for instance. Algecide is a preventative but it won't do squat to get rid of existing algae. Save your money and go buy some plain old household bleach. Lots and lots of it.
You can do this!
My advice is the same as others, with the additional caveat to not go pouring mystery chemicals (algaecide) in to the pool. Some may actually make things worse for you down the road if they have copper in them for instance. Algecide is a preventative but it won't do squat to get rid of existing algae. Save your money and go buy some plain old household bleach. Lots and lots of it.
You can do this!
The basic philosophy here is actually quite simple:
Balance the water & use liquid chlorine (AKA bleach) to kill off all the ‘bad stuff’ in the water.
Maintain the chlorine level to prevent any of the ‘bad stuff’ from returning.
In order to do this you will need to get a test kit that can accurately measure FC (Free Chlorine) & CC (Combined Chlorine) at high levels. Here is a link showing recommended test kits:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/124-pool-test-kits-comparison
The TF-100 & Taylor K-2006 are the most popular. The TF-100 is a better value, containing more than enough chemicals to last two seasons for us northerners. If you decide to order the TF-100 then get the XL option. It costs $12.95 but will qualify you for free shipping, normally $10.00. Another popular option is the SpeedStir. This swirls the water for you making the testing simpler & quicker. Link to order TF-100 test kit & options:
http://tftestkits.net/TF-100-Test-Kit-p4.html
Here’s a link on the SLAM procedure:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/125-slam-shock-level-and-maintain-shockingl
Link to CYA/Chlorine chart:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/128-chlorine-cya-chart-slam-shock
Link to PoolMath:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html
Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions, we are here to help.
“Ask a dumb question and look ignorant for a moment, don’t ask and be ignorant for a lifetime”
Balance the water & use liquid chlorine (AKA bleach) to kill off all the ‘bad stuff’ in the water.
Maintain the chlorine level to prevent any of the ‘bad stuff’ from returning.
In order to do this you will need to get a test kit that can accurately measure FC (Free Chlorine) & CC (Combined Chlorine) at high levels. Here is a link showing recommended test kits:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/124-pool-test-kits-comparison
The TF-100 & Taylor K-2006 are the most popular. The TF-100 is a better value, containing more than enough chemicals to last two seasons for us northerners. If you decide to order the TF-100 then get the XL option. It costs $12.95 but will qualify you for free shipping, normally $10.00. Another popular option is the SpeedStir. This swirls the water for you making the testing simpler & quicker. Link to order TF-100 test kit & options:
http://tftestkits.net/TF-100-Test-Kit-p4.html
Here’s a link on the SLAM procedure:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/125-slam-shock-level-and-maintain-shockingl
Link to CYA/Chlorine chart:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/128-chlorine-cya-chart-slam-shock
Link to PoolMath:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html
Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions, we are here to help.
“Ask a dumb question and look ignorant for a moment, don’t ask and be ignorant for a lifetime”
when we took the cover off our pool (in preparation for a new liner) in april, in a matter of 2 weeks the algae was so thick on top you could walk across it.
the frogs *LOVED* it. when we drained it to have the new liner installed, it was a thick gunky mess. absolutely awful.
the frogs *LOVED* it. when we drained it to have the new liner installed, it was a thick gunky mess. absolutely awful.
Ncdamsel
0
I was in your shoes back in April/may new house with a 24x54 above ground pool I knew absolutely nothing about pools but read this site over the last 3 months and my pool looks great ,,,,the people here are wonderful and you too will learn a lot and wil be enjoying your pool soon,..... follow the advice these wonderful people give and you will be all set ....Good luck
I'm in your shoes too. Posted here a week ago looking for advice and my pool is close to being blue again. This forum is a wealth of information. I find myself reading (and rereading! pool school because everyday it makes more and more sense.
