Pool chemical help needed

NS Gearhead · Jul 1, 2014

So today I put in a 12'X30" inflatable pool. Now I'm scrambling to figure out what chemicals to get, how much to put in, and in what order.

From the passed three hours of reading the web, I've got about 2,000 gal of water in there. I have to go to the store and get test strips, algiside, chlorine, ph booster, ph reducer, and stabilizer.

First add chlorine according to this; PoolMath aiming for 3ppm. Add stabilizer at this time also.

Second, 24hrs after adding the chlorine, test and adjust ph aiming for 7.2-7.6

Third, adjust total alkalinity to 120-150ppm Hmm, not sure how to do that... or where the algiside comes in.

What do you think? Here we are tuesday night, and I've got my 4 year old daughter's birthday party saturday. I don't wanna mess this up!

NS Gearhead · Jul 1, 2014

Well this three part series was very informative;

NEW - Pool School - 01 - Introduction | Family Leisure - YouTube

F3506 · Jul 1, 2014

My daughter has a pool. From what I've seen trying to help her, 95% of the issue is chlorine. Get the test strips and keep the chlorine up.

Does the inflatable pool have a pump? Be sure to run the pump for at least 2 hours after adding any chemicals.

tractchores · Jul 1, 2014

Most of the chemicals have info on them for dosage by volume. The PH is likely ok to begin with assuming you used drinking water. You'd want to put chlorine in first (shock), then a day or two later add algaecide and then chlorine sticks. Then just keep the chlorine sticks replenished and shock every couple of weeks, or weekly with heavy usage. You can also then start to test PH and the chemical levels once it stabilizes and keep it balanced.

If it does not have a pump / filter system you may want to re-think adding chemicals and see if there's something special made for inflatable pools.

Most pool supply shops also are great sources of advise

farmer2009 · Jul 1, 2014

tractchores said:
Most of the chemicals have info on them for dosage by volume. The PH is likely ok to begin with assuming you used drinking water. You'd want to put chlorine in first (shock), then a day or two later add algaecide and then chlorine sticks. Then just keep the chlorine sticks replenished and shock every couple of weeks, or weekly with heavy usage. You can also then start to test PH and the chemical levels once it stabilizes and keep it balanced.

If it does not have a pump / filter system you may want to re-think adding chemicals and see if there's something special made for inflatable pools.

Most pool supply shops also are great sources of advise

Pretty much what I do. Use atleast a cartridge filter and clean it weekly and replace as needed. Using a sand filter is best. Salt systems don't require the chlorine or as much shock as they use electricity to make chlorine out of salt. But have been told they are hard on stuff. It rust really bad.

How deep is it? If over 48" it may not be too warm by Saturday.

kenmac · Jul 1, 2014

I have an 18x36 in ground 30,000 gallons of water. I don't add anything until I test the water. Here, the pool supply places will test your water for free. I only keep up with the PH and the chlorine. I only add algaecide when I need it

oosik · Jul 1, 2014

Hmmmm. For sure, test the pH of your water before adding anything. When you add chlorine it will make the water more acidic. This means going from neutral - pH of 7.0 towards 1.0. Unless your water is VERY basic (7.0 going towards 10.0) adding chlorine will not result in a pH of 7.2 - 7.6. This is why chlorinated pool water will burn your eyes - the added chlorine has made a mild acid - Hydrochloric acid. I've seen people fight this all summer long and eventually there are so many chemicals in the pool it turns to jello.

RalphVa · Jul 2, 2014

You'll need chlorine stabilizer. To get alkalinity up, buy a chemical that's similar to pH plus but doesn't raise the pH. Best to seek advice from a pool supply place initially to get these right; they typically won't charge for a pool water sample if you buy some chemicals from them. Then all you have to do is keep the chlorine up and pH right. In most cases, you won't need pH decreaser, as our rain water is acidic, and chlorine typically lowers the pH. So, you'll just need pH plus, which is sodium carbonate (think the alkalinity increaser is sodium bi carbonate).

I add 4 ounces to our 20,000 gallon lap pool once/week. Don't wait until you need it. It's the best insurance you can add for your pool. For your pool, if it's really only 2,000 gallons, you'll use 1/10 what my pool takes.

Ralph

ustmd · Jul 2, 2014

I highly, highly, highly recommend the Pool School section/Getting Started of the Troublefree Pool website:

Pool School - Getting Started

My in laws putting in an above ground pool 3 years ago. The various pool stores had them coming and going for chemicals ($$$$$$$$) and they still had a green pool.

Last year, I took over and followed the instructions on the Troublefree website and got the pool in control within a few weeks (it was a swamp).

The best part you do not need most of the expensive chemicals from the pool store/aisle.

For the most part you need household Bleach and Borax.

Good luck