Did you see the above mentioned comment with your name linked that socalTFP posted?
Do you think I could go that route?
Help a complete newb before hubby takes over!
- Thread starter sarmbrust
- Start date
Do you think I could go that route?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,878
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Sure -- depends on what you have left of the current kit. A FAS DPD kit and refill of R0013 CYA will get you nearly to the cost of a TF100.
Up to you.
Up to you.
I just started the current HTH kit yesterday. Only 2 CYA tests in that kit.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,961
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Just want to say... Welcome to TFP! You were looking for a primer to get you started on taking care of your pool. You found it! It seems you already have a good grasp of what to do, and how to do it, and I think you're doing really well so far. You're following the good advice you're getting in your thread, and asking all the right questions. That puts in the top 5% of the class!! Good job.
When you come up for air, start reading here: Pool Care Basics Archives
And don't be shy about asking questions about anything you need help with. As you're experiencing already, people here like to help and answer questions!
Oh, and don't forget to enjoy your pool, too, not just work on it!!
When you come up for air, start reading here: Pool Care Basics Archives
And don't be shy about asking questions about anything you need help with. As you're experiencing already, people here like to help and answer questions!
Oh, and don't forget to enjoy your pool, too, not just work on it!!
Thank you so much! It feels very overwhelming and now knowing I should have just ordered the right kit from the beginning is the only kicker at this point!Just want to say... Welcome to TFP! You were looking for a primer to get you started on taking care of your pool. You found it! It seems you already have a good grasp of what to do, and how to do it, and I think you're doing really well so far. You're following the good advice you're getting in your thread, and asking all the right questions. That puts in the top 5% of the class!! Good job.
When you come up for air, start reading here: Pool Care Basics Archives
And don't be shy about asking questions about anything you need help with. As you're experiencing already, people here like to help and answer questions!
Oh, and don't forget to enjoy your pool, too, not just work on it!!
My husband thinks from talking with his co-workers that only use chlorine tablets and "shock" it is that simple on their city water versus our well water. Me being the "over-thinker" in the mix I'm sure makes it more complicated than it is!
Ordering a TF-100 kit now, even though I have my dinky one, going to get stabilizer this evening and await the test kit to arrive.
Thank you all for your help thus far, I'm sure I'll be back but hopefully with better test results!
Just ordered new kit.. says 1-4 business days or so.
Thoughts & suggestions until correct kit arrives?
Still showing 0 FC on the HTH kit I have. Need to add more chlorine?
Think I should still add the stabilizer stuff?
- Jul 17, 2019
- 3,733
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Yes on adding the chlorine. Did you also add the stabilizer you bought? If not, I would add both. Chlorine of 0 will turn from a pool to a swamp very quickly.
Continue to add 5ppm of chlorine daily until your kit arrives.
Continue to add 5ppm of chlorine daily until your kit arrives.
I am going to the store tonight to get the stabilizer. Also going to grab more liquid chlorine (10%). I don't think the amount my husband added made any difference (unsure as I wasn't there)
According to PoolMath app, FC its showing a level of 3 as target which is 29oz or 3cups 5oz. Do I need to add more? Maybe I plugged in the wrong pool gallons!? Ugh! (18' round pool, 48" depth according to normal math (dia. x dia. times avg depth, times 5.9 is 7,646 gallons?)
Add more chlorine, wait 30 mins or so, then add stabilizer?
If I could go back and change one thing, it'd be my Powerball ticket. Then I'd be stinking RICH and wouldn't care I didn't know about the test kits yet.
Chin up sarmbrust. And Welcome !!!
If you didn't add it with the TF100, you really REALLY want a smart stir to do all the swirling for you. It makes it more consistent which helps accuracy, and do I dare say fun ?
Radius X radius X 3.14x avg depth X 7.481 gallons per cu ft. Surprisingly I get 7610. Is the water height 48 inches or the pool height ? If the water is 42 inches, use 6658.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,961
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You haven't made any mistakes yet. You'll still be able to use most if not all of the test kit you started with. Don't worry about that.
When you study more you'll learn that it is the CYA that helps protect the chlorine, and makes it last longer and work better (simplified version). Right now, pouring it in and still getting zero a while later is about right. That's how fast a warm pool with no CYA, on a warm day, can consume chlorine. The CYA will help all that, but until you've got enough CYA in the pool, keep testing and adding chlorine to maintain that Pool Math target level. Even twice a day for now. Otherwise, as others have warned, your pool can turn green on you right quick. And then you'll have a much bigger headache. Don't skimp on the chlorine for right now, that's a for-sure penny wise dollar foolish move.
And don't sweat the exact pool volume. Use the higher number for Pool Math. A little extra chlorine won't hurt anything, and will give you a little extra insurance until the CYA levels out. Don't go overboard, you don't want to waste it, but don't be shy with the chlorine either. A little extra is still quite safe to swim in.
When you study more you'll learn that it is the CYA that helps protect the chlorine, and makes it last longer and work better (simplified version). Right now, pouring it in and still getting zero a while later is about right. That's how fast a warm pool with no CYA, on a warm day, can consume chlorine. The CYA will help all that, but until you've got enough CYA in the pool, keep testing and adding chlorine to maintain that Pool Math target level. Even twice a day for now. Otherwise, as others have warned, your pool can turn green on you right quick. And then you'll have a much bigger headache. Don't skimp on the chlorine for right now, that's a for-sure penny wise dollar foolish move.
And don't sweat the exact pool volume. Use the higher number for Pool Math. A little extra chlorine won't hurt anything, and will give you a little extra insurance until the CYA levels out. Don't go overboard, you don't want to waste it, but don't be shy with the chlorine either. A little extra is still quite safe to swim in.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,961
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Oh, and you'll also learn, the pool-store/neighbor/co-worker "insight" about shock and tabs is a big loser, doesn't matter what you fill your pool with. It is not a long-term sustainable strategy for good pool water maintenance. You'll be doing yourself a favor by ignoring that "advice" and sticking with the program we are setting out for you. If you start second guessing the tried-and-true TFP method of pool care, and/or mixing and matching our advice with your husband's or his pal's, I guarantee you that will not end well.
Commit to taking the pool on yourself. Your husband will be relieved. And when you all are swimming in perfect, crystal clear water this summer, you'll be the hero.
And FYI, in addition to being the absolute healthiest way to manage pool water, this method is also the easiest, and believe it or not: the cheapest. That may sound counter-intuitive, or too good to be true, but 354,489 people will back me up on that (that's the number of TFP website members, not counting those that follow us but never sign in, all taking care of their pool the exact same way).
Commit to taking the pool on yourself. Your husband will be relieved. And when you all are swimming in perfect, crystal clear water this summer, you'll be the hero.
And FYI, in addition to being the absolute healthiest way to manage pool water, this method is also the easiest, and believe it or not: the cheapest. That may sound counter-intuitive, or too good to be true, but 354,489 people will back me up on that (that's the number of TFP website members, not counting those that follow us but never sign in, all taking care of their pool the exact same way).
Last edited:
Haha, the Powerball ticket would be a glorious change! I'd hire a pool master then!
Thanks for the welcome! Once I get a good kit, I think I'll feel better and all!
The smart stir's are back ordered until July 17th or something of that nature on their website there is a note. So I guess I'll be whirling away!
I clearly did a typo on my math
I thought it was dia. x dia. x avg. depth, x 5.9= gal. needed for a round pool?(18x18=324. 324 x 4 =1,296. 1,296 x 5.9= 7,646.4) 4 avg. depth is just general for this. I will get my actual height.
Pie X radius squared is area of a circle
X depth is area of a cylinder (round pool)
X 7.481 gallons per cu ft.
I've never seen diameter squared X depth X 5.9 but it was darn close so it worked too.
I did read a lot more today about chlorine and CYA and all! It's rather interesting how it all works! We have a hot summer and a pool in the sun, so I'm sure I'll have to pay extra attention!
So true about ignoring my husband and pals advice, he came home from work today with chlorine tablets. I said "I will have it under control soon"
I didn't tell him I ordered a whole other kit! Ha! I do feel more confident this time around with a pool and different well water. Our last one didn't make it but a month or so with the "pool store" involved. Lesson learned there!I was not a mathematician way back then or now! Of course Google gives you a million different versions. I figured that formula was the one I saw the most.
You might as well put everything in Chinese for me when it comes to math! Ha!
Deb04
LifeTime Supporter
- Jul 12, 2008
- 668
- Pool Size
- 19000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
The Speed Stirrers are available on Amazon right now. I don't know how the price compares to the one on TFTestkits (sometimes one is cheaper, sometimes the other) so I don't know if it's worth waiting.
Speed Stirrer
Make sure to specifically only get one of those two. Other ones might not fit your vials.
Don’t get an AquaStir no matter if people say it fits Taylor vials - I now have a chemistry paperweight for the kids to play with. If I had to go back in time Inwould buy the TF-ProSalt from day 1. I think I finally got there in the end but totally piecemeal buying it….
