First time, any rush?

[Mormo]

Hi friends,

Bought house with pool. Pool looks and feels great! I've ordered a tf-pro-salt test kit too.

Here's my question: the SWG is currently not running (shows low salinity and check cell). Assuming the TF kit takes some days to arrive (from NC, right?) is it worth getting some test strips (esp. for salinity) locally to avoid the possibility of complete chlorination failure in that time? I know they are more or less forbidden but I'm anxious about blowing it in the first week. (Total pool noob...)

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

A better purchase might be a few jugs of liquid chlorine. If your pool is exposed to the sun, you'll want to add up to a gallon of 10% LC daily until you get the test kit.

 

[reggiehammond]

They're called "guess strips" for a reason. Just add 5ppm of liquid chlorine every day and test once your kit arrives.

 

[sande005]

Run to your nearest WalMart or Home Depot right now, and buy some pool Chlorine in gallon jugs. Get at least one case. Add 1 gal per day, until the test kit comes.
Don't get Clorox or other household bleach, unless that is the only option - and make sure it has no enhancers of any kind (scents, color enhancers, splashless, etc.) Just bleach. 10% strength or stronger. Liquid only - no pool powders or tablets. If you must, the same from a pool store would be fine - it just costs a fair amount more.
Without an accurate testing kit, too many unknowns to give a better answer. Pool strips (and pool stores!) are terribly inaccurate, so better to save the $ and put it toward Chlorine. Shipping is pretty fast from TFTestkits.
The above will add about 4-5 ppm of chlorine, per day - a lot of which will get used up by the sun, swimming, etc. each day.
Without any, your pool can go from perfect to green in as little as a day. Then the battle will be on, and hard to get rid of it.

The rest of the testing can wait until you get your kit.

 

[Mormo]

Thanks everybody! Much appreciated.