swimmin in ny said:
We just filled our 5300 gal easy set pool. We had a pool company fill it since our well pump can't handled that much work.
The water is already VERY chlorinated as I have a pounding headache everytime I go near it
I have some HTH from Walmart that I can toss in there until I get to the store.
I plan on getting a test kit, some CYA, bleach, baking soda & borax.
Hi Tiffany, welcome.
What is "HTH from Wal-mart" - is that a pool chemical product? What is on the label?
I think you should start with the HTH 6-way test kit from Walmart (around $20).
Then test the pool water - PH and TA and the Chlorine level. Does the Pool Company add anything to the water besides chlorine? Are you sure it doesn't already contain stabilizer/CYA? You should call them and confirm.
If you post the PH and TA results we can get you started if those levels need adjusting. I wouldn't buy Borax and Baking Soda yet, your levels could be too high and then you won't even need either Borax or Baking Soda, you might need dry acid or "PH Down".
The 6-way kit tests for CYA, but don't test it if you don't have any in your water (confirm this with the water supplier). If it doesn't have CYA you will need CYA-"stabilizer" or Cyanuric Acid to protect your chlorine from sunlight destruction.
If it's not in the water already, you can buy it seperately, but you don't need that much, you only need a
little over 1 lb to get your CYA to 30. If you can find it in small 1 to 2 lb containers at the Pool store, then go that route... Make sure it's at least 95% CYA on the active ingredients. Otherwise Wal-mart sells it in a big 4 lb jug. You can always keep it for future use if stored properly. After you add the CYA seperately, you will add bleach each night to keep your FC at the recommended levels for a CYA of 30.
OR...
You can use Dichlor powder shock product, and put in 6 oz (3/4 cup) each night for the next 7 days. (You can find Dichlor in 1 lb bags, and 2 lb cannisters at pool stores and Lowes, Home Depot that have pool departments. Look for "sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione" on the label. You will need slightly over 2 pounds total.) Dissolve the Dichlor in a bucket of pool water and pour into the return flow, brush the pool if anything settles on the bottom.
After the 7 days you will start using bleach for your chlorine source, and
stop using the Dichlor. You don't want to add any more than 6 ounces a day for 7 days.
You can go ahead and get the upgraded test kit like the TF100 or the K-2006, but your pool is small and can be drained easily if you develop a problem, I'm not sure you need the big kit.
Lastly, Read Pool School, and then post any questions you have here. We'll be glad to help.