So a little over two years ago I bought a house with an in ground vinyl pool that was in disrepair (read: left empty). Just this summer I finally took the plunge and spent the money to have it resurfaced (the concrete shell had deteriorated) and a new liner installed. This past Monday (July 29) the pool company that did the work did the initial chemical balance and then left, supposedly they're coming back at some point to give me basic training on how to maintain the pool (I know nothing at all about it).
I've been reading the information on this site about maintaining the pool and have ordered the TF-100 test kit, unfortunately they are on back order so I won't have the kit until next week; so in the meantime I went to Wal-Mart and picked up the drop kit to have on hand. As near as I can tell, here is where I am sitting at present. (Pool specs as best I know should be in my signature)
Free Chlorine: Kit does not test?
Total Chlorine: 5-6
pH: 7.2
TA: 100
CH: 240
CYA: 40
I don't have a cover yet (should arrive early next week), so I have been doing my best to get out every day with my leaf net and keep as much debris out of the pool as possible, but some leaves and other junk have settled to the bottom (pool vacuum also arrives next week). Any advice on what action I should take at the present time without knowing what my FC level is? It looks like my pH is definitely on the low side, should I just add some borax until I get the TF-100 kit? Or with a Total Chlorine of 5-6 should I assume that my FC is low and also add bleach? I'm hoping to keep from letting the water get too far out of balance before I am able to run proper tests.
Thanks for any advice!
I've been reading the information on this site about maintaining the pool and have ordered the TF-100 test kit, unfortunately they are on back order so I won't have the kit until next week; so in the meantime I went to Wal-Mart and picked up the drop kit to have on hand. As near as I can tell, here is where I am sitting at present. (Pool specs as best I know should be in my signature)
Free Chlorine: Kit does not test?
Total Chlorine: 5-6
pH: 7.2
TA: 100
CH: 240
CYA: 40
I don't have a cover yet (should arrive early next week), so I have been doing my best to get out every day with my leaf net and keep as much debris out of the pool as possible, but some leaves and other junk have settled to the bottom (pool vacuum also arrives next week). Any advice on what action I should take at the present time without knowing what my FC level is? It looks like my pH is definitely on the low side, should I just add some borax until I get the TF-100 kit? Or with a Total Chlorine of 5-6 should I assume that my FC is low and also add bleach? I'm hoping to keep from letting the water get too far out of balance before I am able to run proper tests.
Thanks for any advice!