First tests w/new TF100--super high chlorine???

[hollows68]

Set up our first pool about 2 weeks ago, and until today had been using the test strips that came with the pool. So I got the TF100 kit this week and just ran all of the tests. I'm a little confused/concerned about the chlorine level.

FC=10
TC=10
pH=7.5
TA=140
CYA=20

I have note added any chemicals to the pool (SWG) with the exception of about 2 pounds of CYA last weekend. I have only been running the SWG 5 hours a night because according to the strips the chlorine level was okay. Coincidentally, the pump didn't run at all last night because I unplugged it when we were having some really bad lightning then forgot to plug it back in.

What would cause the chlorine to be so high, and what should I do about it? How about the alkalinity--should I be working on bringing that down?

One other question--I see in Pool School that I should run my pump at least 8 hours a day--I'm assuming that I do not need to run the SWG for the full 8 hours, correct? Based on my chlorine level at the moment I would assume I need to run it even less that I already am.

Thank you! :-D

 

[duraleigh]

Trust your Test results...not the strips.

YOur FC is too high......you are correct, simply reduce the run time of the SWG.

You need CYA in your pool. Calculate and dose enough to get to 60ppm.

Your TA and pH are fine for now.....We'll very likely suggest lowering TA after you get FC and CYA in line.

How about CH? Did you test?

How does your water look?

 

[Bama Rambler]

Welcome to TFP.

As you now see, strips are inaccurate. Run your SWCG a little less and test and adjust until you get your FC where it needs to be according to the Chlorine/CYA chart.

2 lbs of cyanuric acid should raise your CYA level about 35 so you need to raise it a bit more for a SWCG. We recommend 70-80 but Intex recommends 50ppm.

Since your SWCG is going to drive your pH up you can adjust your TA by lowering the pH to 7.2 everytime it gets up to about 7.8.

 

[hollows68]

No, sorry, I had not tested CH. It's been about 2 hours since I ran the first tests, and I decided to do a second run just in case I messed up on my first try. I turned the pump on right after I took the first tests, so it's been running for about 2 hours in between testing (pump only--not SWG). Here's what I got on round 2:
FC=7
TC=7.5
pH=still 7.5
TA=90
CH=80
CYA=still 20-30 (should I not be able to see the black dot at all?)

Water looks great to me--crystal clear (then again, it's only been two weeks)

I will definitely add more CYA and try to get that level up.

As far as running the pump and SWG--I understand it is best to run the SWG at night--does the same go for the pump, or could I get my 8 hours of pump time in any time of day? Unless I'm reading the instructions incorrectly, it's going to shut off after the SWG cycle finishes at night--doesn't seem to be a way to have the pump keep running after the SWG shuts off.

Thanks again!

 

[PaulR]

For the CYA test, the black dot should completely disappear. Here's a link from Taylor that might help:
CYA test w/ pics

You can run the pump any time it's convenient. For the Intex SWG, especially with a lower CYA, you're better off running it at night to give the chlorine more chance to work before the sun starts burning it off.
--paulr

 

[Richard320]

You're in an enviable position among the newcomers to this forum - water's clear and all your equipment works!! :-D

Turn back the SWG a little, that's easy! Has anyone been swimming yet? Once you start getting kids in there, you'll be using up chlorine, so keep tabs on it - you may need to crank the SWG back up a bit.