Hi and thank you in advance for all the help! We have a brand new Intex 22X52 Ultra Frame Pool (10,600 or so gallons) and an Intex Krystal Clear Saltwater System CS8110. The pool is full and the pumps are all hooked up correctly. We added the required 260 pounds of salt yesterday around noon and ran the regular pump for 24 hours, letting the salt dissolve. Today at noon we turned on the SW system and set it for 6 hours (recommended via the manual) and the regular pump set for 8 hours of runtime. The pool is crystal clear and clean and now that the SW cycle is done, I used one of the test strips that came with the pool that show FC, PH and Alkalinity. The FC shows at the green color of around 1, maybe a little more but not to the level of 3. According to the strip, that is in the range of "pool OK." However, the PH and total alkalinity are not even registering on the strip, they are so low. I did read all the "pool school" articles and they are GREAT!
We ordered from Amazon prime today, a Taylor K-2006 test kit, which is infinitely better than the cheapo strips that come with the pump, but that won't be here until Monday. We also ordered the Cyanuric Acid from Amazon because it is way more cost-effective than the pool store. Unfortunately I didn't read Pool School until today, so I didn't add the CYA with the salt upon startup. I also ordered the Intex skimmer basket.
My questions are:
What is the best way bring up the PH and alkalinity? I have read other articles online saying that the Intex SW system is "enough" to keep the pool clean and that you don't need to add any chemicals, but I want to balance the water properly.
Is the pool safe to swim in this weekend with the chlorine at an acceptable level even though the PH and Alk are low?
When the CYA arrives, do I add it to the pool in conjunction with the next SW cycle, and, do we have to stay out of the pool until it all dissolves?
Thank you so much, this is our first pool so we want to do everything right. I appreciate any help and advice!
We ordered from Amazon prime today, a Taylor K-2006 test kit, which is infinitely better than the cheapo strips that come with the pump, but that won't be here until Monday. We also ordered the Cyanuric Acid from Amazon because it is way more cost-effective than the pool store. Unfortunately I didn't read Pool School until today, so I didn't add the CYA with the salt upon startup. I also ordered the Intex skimmer basket.
My questions are:
What is the best way bring up the PH and alkalinity? I have read other articles online saying that the Intex SW system is "enough" to keep the pool clean and that you don't need to add any chemicals, but I want to balance the water properly.
Is the pool safe to swim in this weekend with the chlorine at an acceptable level even though the PH and Alk are low?
When the CYA arrives, do I add it to the pool in conjunction with the next SW cycle, and, do we have to stay out of the pool until it all dissolves?
Thank you so much, this is our first pool so we want to do everything right. I appreciate any help and advice!