Chemical Help--1st Time Setting Up Easy Set Pool

[sillylittlefishey]

We just got an easy set style pool. It is 13 ft by 39 inches...aprox 3,000 gal. This is our first pool and I have to say are a bit confused with all the chemicals...especially considering the information pamplets we've received have had contradictory information. We went to our local pool store today for some help. The girl that was working told us to put the chlorine tablets in today and then to shock it tonight using a 1/2 gal of vertex and then to throw in some stabalizer tomorrow.

So we finished filling the pool today and put the 6 -1 inch cholorine tablets in the filter. Tonight when we were done we were getting ready to shock the pool and I was trying to make since of the label on the vertex bottle but was confused....hubby thought he was reading the label right and thought the pool needed 3 oz...but put in 6 to be sure since the girl at the pool store said to use so much more...but I got looking again and that's to raise it by 1 ppm. So my question is how much should we be putting in each time we shock it? Is the 1/2 gal right? Also should we add more vertex tomorrow night since we didn't put in enough tonight and should we wait to add the stabilizer since we didn't really shock it?

And from what I understand...we should always keep cholorine tablets in...we should shock once a week and add an algicide once a week.....and add ph up & down as needed based on how the test strips come out each day...does that sound right? Is there anything else we should be doing?

I know I'm asking a lot of questions and I really do appreciate any help we can get...we just really want to do this right!!--Thanks!!

[tammyjk]

Ive owned one of these pools for about 5yrs now and one thing you need to understand from the start is that the filtration system is terrible. That said.....At start up I usually let my water sit for a day or so with the minimal amount of shock. You need to be very carefull with these pools since they are smaller than most. I dont use the stips they just dont give good readings. I use drops. If you always keep tabs in and make sure you get any algae right away you will be fine. I try to rinse my filter once a day. Using a broom I clean the bottom and stir the water when the pool isnt used for a few days. Like I said the filters are garbage.

You didnt say if you were on well water or city water which does make a big differance. That is why I let my water sit for a day or two. (well water) Stay away from the household remedies for this size pool. Since you need such small amounts of chemicals its worth it to just buy the right stuff. In a pinch Ive tried the grocery store solutions and while it works, it doesnt compare.

One more tip.....Ive tied a white cotton sock inside the pool where the water exits the filter. Again, the filters are garbage. It helps alot, rinse out every day or so.