overkill for a 10' x 30" Intex Pool chemicals?

[wmd]

Good afternoon, I wondering if I really need all of this for my 5 year olds Inetex 10 x 30 Easy Set with filter/pump. So a little background we've had this pool up for around 11 days, so far only used two one inche clorex and them another two after 7 days , in a floating dispenser. So far the water has been crystal clear and had a nice "clean" smell, nothing over powering but can notice the present of the tablets, it had a nice smell to it. if that makes sense.

Well I got one of the tester kits so I decided to check the levels the chlorine and Ph Chlorine showed ok but low and I got a very low PH reading. So I have today off so I decided to take a sample to my local pool store. They said they did have a readable level of Chlorine and too low Ph. So they gave me this print out and $50 later a box filled with chemicals. So going through these instructions beyond the alkaline up, the shock and the algeacide i was wondering if the Clacium and the mineral magnate was a bit over kill for this little kids pool.

I don't want to ignore critical steps to make sure my son has a clean pool to play in everyday for the summer but at the same time It is just a kids pool and some seems to be over the top. Or am I just being paranoid.

thanks for any help

 

[Texas Splash]

Oh boy, well, you might want to see if you can get some of your money back. Typical pool store mumbo-jumbo. Always refer to the TFP Recommended Chemicals and other links below in my signature. For small pool not over 3,000 gallons, follow the TFP Pool School - Guide for Seasonal/Temporary Pools. Easy stuff. Regular bleach is your pool's friend. Plain though, no scented, splashless, or fabric additives.

 

[Richard320]

You've been pool-stored.

If you got away only fifty bucks lighter, you did well.

Alkalinity Up is nothing but fancy-packaged baking soda. You likely paid four to five times as much for it as you could have bought it in the grocery store. It will raise the alkalinity but have minimal immediate effect on PH.

You don't need to raise Calcium in a vinyl pool. There's no plaster to etch. Nor do you have a heater that might corrode. So that's money wasted. And as an aside, the Cal-hypo powder will also add Calcium.

Unless you're filling from a well or have known metal issues, like iron stains in the toilet and so on, the metal magnet was also a waste. The algaecide isn't needed. If you keep enough chlorine in the water to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses, you've got enough to keep algae at bay.

You've got a lot of reading ahead of you.
Start with ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Next up: Pool School - Guide for Seasonal/Temporary Pools

Then check out Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals . It will tell you what chemical does what and how to add it.
Pool School - PoolMath will tell you how to figure how much to add.

 

[wmd]

Thanks for your help, I had a feeling it was a bit overboard I stopped at the halfway point of Step 3 I started this around 11:15. It was the mineral magnet and the calcium that made me to start wonder if this was all bit much for a kiddie pool So I'll think I'll stop and just put in some oof the shock tonight at Sunset

Thanks for the links I will read them today.

Just another question, I stopped at the halway point of Step 3 at 11:30 will my son be able to swim in today at all?

 

[Richard320]

Just another question, I stopped at the halway point of Step 3 at 11:30 will my son be able to swim in today at all?

That I cannot say without seeing the test results. Nothing you've added so far would keep me out, but without knowing the pH and the FC levels, there's no way to say yes or no.

 

[jblizzle]

Just want to point out the link that Richard provided.

With a pool that size, this the easiest way to run it: Temporary/Seasonal Pool Guide

You will need a ph / OTO drop based test kit at a minimum.

 

[wmd]

That I cannot say without seeing the test results. Nothing you've added so far would keep me out, but without knowing the pH and the FC levels, there's no way to say yes or no.

how long should I wait to test again?

 

[Richard320]

how long should I wait to test again?

If you've got a pump and filter and it's running when you added the chemicals, half an hour after should be more than enough time.

 

[wmd]

If you've got a pump and filter and it's running when you added the chemicals, half an hour after should be more than enough time.

just went out the ph was pretty magenta so it looks like its near the 8.4 so it's a bit high no reading for chlorine just the slighest shade of yellow

 

[ashtonfitzgerald]

Just for reference I have a 12'x30" Intex for the kids to play in. Following TFP advice and methods we spend less than $10/month on chemicals for the pool--mostly liquid chlorine. Everything else is rarely used if at all. Pool is clean, clear and most importantly safe.