Small above ground pool...please help a brand new beginner. :)

[stephaniebeto]

We've had 2 or 3 weeks of 100 degree days already. No city pools, no Y, so I bought a pool and now I'm freaking out a little because I know nothing about pool chemicals.
The pool came with filter attachments for a pump, but no pump, so I did not attach the filter hoses and parts. I just put all 3 plugs in the pool and we filled it. I have a skimmer vacuum thing that came with the pool that I will plan to use everyday.
On hand I have chlorine granules, pool shock, and I'm picking up some PH reducer later.
Any suggestions to get started?

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
You may want to consider following Seasonal Pools
You will need a drop based test kit from Walmart or Home Depot. A 5 way will work. The test strips are worthless.
What are the chlorine granules? Look for Calcium Hypochlorite or Dichlor on the package. Let us know what it is.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

 

[stephaniebeto]

Thanks for your reply! Will something like this work? Clorox Pool&Spa 3-Way Test Kit, Reagent Testing Kit For Swimming Pool Use
As for the chlorine, I have Spa Selections Granules (Sodium Dichloro-s-Triazinetrione dihydrate 99%).
I'll read your suggestions. Lots of conflicting info out there so I'll try to focus in here for now.

 

[mknauss]

That little test kit will work. If you could find one that can test TA (total alkalinity), that would be better. I think those are 5 way test kits.

Keep track how much dichlor you use. When you have added enough to get to 30 ppm CYA, stop using it and start using bleach/liquid chlorine.

 

[stephaniebeto]

The last 2 nights I've used a pretty small amount of dichlor, whatever the pool calculators told me (but I didn't realize I was using a different form of chlorine). According to the strips, it definitely decreased the CYA, but the PH and Alkalinity look very high. I'll work on getting a test kit so we can have better information.
I also have Clorox PH Down and Clorox Shock Xtra Blue on hand.

 

[stephaniebeto]

I added an ounce of PH Down last night.

 

[mknauss]

Be careful using dichlor and pH down. Both are acidic. Low pH will bother eyes and skin.

 

[mknauss]

Take back the Clorox blue stuff. It has copper and very little of it will put enough copper in your water to turn blonde hair green.

 

[stephaniebeto]

Marty, thanks for your help. I was able to get ahold of the Walmart 3 way for the rime being. Looks like the strips have been lying to me about high PH.

 

[mknauss]

Is it a 7.2? That is ok. Lay off the acid for awhile!

 

[stephaniebeto]

I will! What about the chlorine? The yellows are all pretty similar, but it looks like a 5 to me? And that is after sun and swimming today.

 

[mknauss]

I would say the chlorine is 5. Main thing is you have chlorine in the water and you swam!

Keep track of how much dichlor you have used and stop when you hit 30 ppm or so CYA.

 

[stephaniebeto]

I have bleach to start using today. When CYA goes up again, its okay to use some dichlor? Dichlor is okay, but just for occasional use, basically?

 

[mknauss]

When CYA goes down (I would test it every couple weeks) then you use more dichlor to bring it up.

 

[splashpad]

I have bleach to start using today. When CYA goes up again, its okay to use some dichlor? Dichlor is okay, but just for occasional use, basically?

I'm not sure if you get notified of replies, but hope things are going well!
Try to get a hold of the 5-way drop test if you can!

I'm curious if you chose not to setup the pump/filter that was included w/pool? (just curious)