New to the forums, and to pool ownership... waiting for my Taylor K2006 test kit...

[kmandeville]

We set up the pool about a week ago. Finished filling a few days later and I first shocked it (based on some reading I had done). I put a floater with a couple chlorine tablets in it and ordered a Taylor K2006 test kit based on the recommendations here. In the meantime, I have a set of test strips that we picked up at Ocean State Job Lot (https://www.oceanstatejoblot.com/swimworks-5-in-1-pool-spa-test-strips/product/57232) while grabbing some cheap pool floats (I know the test strips are probably Crud, but it's all I have until the K2006 gets delivered which is another 8 days). This supposedly tests for Total Hardness, Total Chlorine, Free Chlorine, pH and Total alkalinity. I tested this morning and it looked like the Total Chlorine was below 1, maybe 0. But FC looked to be in the 3 range. pH looked low, at 6.8 if I read it correctly.

My water looks pretty clear currently, to me anyway. My question is, should I not make any adjustments based on this test and wait for the K2006 to come in? I'm guessing that because the pH is low, the chlorine is burning of quickly? Or is that the CYA level that causes that? I currently have no test for CYA so I don't know those levels. So should I try to raise my pH level or wait for the better test kit to come in and retest?

Also waiting on delivery of an Intex skimmer to help deal with the pollen on the surface

 

[Texas Splash]

New water won't have any CYA in it, so you can add some now using the PoolMath APP to help you with dosage amounts. If my math is correct, 40 ounces of stabilizer should increase your CYA to about 30 ppm which is our recommended minimum. Then you can try to keep the FC balanced to that CYA level as see on the FC/CYA Levels. I wouldn't try to do to much more at this point until you get the test kit.

Adding CYA:
To increase CYA via granular stabilizer, place the required amount as calculated by the Poolmath calculator into a white sock and place in the poolside skimmer basket. For those concerned about suction flow to the pump, suspending the sock near a return jet or from a floating device will also suffice. Best never to allow undissolved granules to rest directly against the pool surface. Squeeze the sock periodically to help it dissipate. Once dissolved, consider your CYA adjusted to that programmed (target) level. CYA test readings should show a rise in 24-48 hours, however some pools may experience a longer delay to fully register. Best to confirm final CYA in about 5-7 days before adding any more stabilizer/conditioner.

 

[kmandeville]

Any recommended types of stabilizer better than others? Or basically anything I can find at a local store called "stabilizer" will work? I have to swing by Lowes later, should I just find something there?

 

[Texas Splash]

Any recommended types of stabilizer better than others?

Just about any store with a pool section (i.e. Walmart) should have some. Look at the ingredients to ensure it shows cyanuric acid and it should be very close to 100%.

 

[carnivalday]

I got Chlorox Pool Stabilizer at Lowes. All their pool stuff is in the garden section.

 

[kmandeville]

Thanks for the tips. I bought some stabilizer, now I'm wondering how I should treat the pool with it. It's a DIY above ground pool with a cartridge filter and no skimmer basket right now. Recommendations say to backwash the filter (I'm not even sure if this is a "thing" with the cartridge filter that came with the pool) first. Do I just clean the filter or is there some way to backwash the bestway/coleman 2500gph filter?
Also, without a skimmer, how do you recommend to use the stabilizer?

 

[mknauss]

Put the stabilizer in a sock and hang the sock in front of the pool return. The water will impact the sock and dissolve the CYA into the water.