First time opening my Intex above ground pool, need some help…

[MadameMagenta]

This is my first time opening a pool and I really don’t know the standards for opening a pool. I know people say to get an opening kit, but I didn’t know if that was completely necessary or if I just needed to shock the pool. I closed it using the In The Swim closing kit. I live in Missouri, but I decided to keep the water in the pool with a heavy cover because I have a well and it took like two weeks to fill up.

I removed the cover Friday and got the pump and skimmer hooked back up. The water looked pretty good, just a few leaves in the bottom from when the wind blew the corner of the cover off. I added some chlorine tablets to my bobber and have been running my pump and pool cleaner off and on since Friday.

Now my question, do I really have to have everything that comes in the opening kit, or do I just need to shock? Or do I even have to do that? I’m a complete newb to all of this, any help is appreciated.

 

[magiteck]

To determine what your pool needs, you’ll need to know what it currently has.

How do you test your water, and what are your current levels?

FC-
CC-
pH-
TA-
CH-
CYA-

 

[MadameMagenta]

To determine what your pool needs, you’ll need to know what it currently has.

How do you test your water, and what are your current levels?

FC-
CC-
pH-
TA-
CH-
CYA-

I’m actually shopping for a test kit today. I used the strips last year and they never worked consistently for me. I’m looking at kits online and found Taylor on Amazon, is that a decent test kit or do you have any recommendations?

 

[magiteck]

I’m actually shopping for a test kit today. I used the strips last year and they never worked consistently for me. I’m looking at kits online and found Taylor on Amazon, is that a decent test kit or do you have any recommendations?

I recommend either the TF-100 or the TF-Pro from TFTestKits. They’re the best value. The Taylor K-2006C is also a good option if you’re looking on Amazon. The “C” is important to make sure you have enough of the right test reagents.

You can read more about test kits here-
Test Kits Compared

You’re right not to rely on the strips, they’re really not dependable.

Until you get your test kit, i would add 1/2 of a gallon of liquid chlorine to your pool daily just to keep any potential algae at bay. Once you get your kit, post up a full set of results here and we can advice of anything else you need!