Hi . . . . I am new to pool care and maintenance . I have ordered and am waiting on the arrival of my TF 100 testing kit. In the mean time, is there anything I can be doing to get the pool clear? I have a new pump, have changed the sand in the filter, and began running the pump. I have scooped tons of sludge from the bottom of the pool. The pool had been sitting for about 1 1/2 years before I got it and started working on it. All I have to test the water with is strips (please for give me). I got them with a pool maintenance kit. They test pH, TA, and FC. TA seems to be within normal range, but the others are low. I know probably inaccurate . . . but it is all I have. I have been adding about 1 1/2 gallons of bleach daily to get the process started of clearing the water. . . I figured that's all I could safely get away with. The water is murky, gray at this point. A true improvement from the green tadpole infested, swamp I stated with.
I plan to shock it as soon as I get my test kit in. . . . but . . . how do I correct all the levels at the same time. Do I start with the shock process . . . chlorine only . . . and then correct everything else later? I truly do not know where to start. I have bleach and borax. I have been looking around and do not know where to buy CYA. Is the HTH "stabilizer" from Wal-Mart acceptable for the CYA? Do I need to get pH adjuster also? Is the HTH pH plus and minus acceptable from Wal-mart?
Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I plan to shock it as soon as I get my test kit in. . . . but . . . how do I correct all the levels at the same time. Do I start with the shock process . . . chlorine only . . . and then correct everything else later? I truly do not know where to start. I have bleach and borax. I have been looking around and do not know where to buy CYA. Is the HTH "stabilizer" from Wal-Mart acceptable for the CYA? Do I need to get pH adjuster also? Is the HTH pH plus and minus acceptable from Wal-mart?
Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!