Hi all, opened my pool on the 7th and started to apply the TFP methodology to my pool. Pool was only slightly green/clear so I SLAM'ed it and added Borax to bring up the pH. I tested using a newly bought cheapo HTH 6 way test (All I have as of now, hopefully will get a TFT test in the future).
Before SLAM:
pH: 6.8
TA: 100 ppm
TC: 0.5-1.0 ppm
CYA: over 100 ppm (this was alarming to me)
CH: 250
After SLAM'ing the water appearance improved, blue color but not quite clear. pH was about 7.0 after Borax (didn't add the full amount calculated wanted to go step wise). I've had the pump running 24/7 since the 7th to clear the pool. Been scrubbing/vacuuming and cleaning skimmer and filter about once a day. The clarity is slowly improving, but not quite there yet. Because I was suspicious of the HTH-6 way results for CYA, I took a sample over to Leslie (10 mins from my house).
Here are Leslie's results:
FAC: 5 ppm
TC: 5 ppm (0.2 difference)
TA: 110
CH: 170
CYA: 50
pH: 7.4
Copper: 0
Iron: 0
TDS: 3000
Phosphates: 500
I was relieved that the CYA levels were in range. I guess the HTH - 6 way for CYA can't be trusted? Person at Leslie said I should get my CH up and lower phosphate levels. I have the Leslie chems to do so (from previous owner of the house) but I've read some threads on TFP to avoid Phosfree use. As I understand it, phosphorus is one of the elements needed for algae growth? It's a vinyl pool so should I be worried about CH being low? I've read some info that I shouldn't be too concerned with CH being low?
I added some clarifier last night and this morning that seems to have helped with the water clarity. I can see all the way down to the bottom on the deep end with just slight cloudiness. The shallow end looks crystal clear.
Any advice would greatly be appreciated.
Before SLAM:
pH: 6.8
TA: 100 ppm
TC: 0.5-1.0 ppm
CYA: over 100 ppm (this was alarming to me)
CH: 250
After SLAM'ing the water appearance improved, blue color but not quite clear. pH was about 7.0 after Borax (didn't add the full amount calculated wanted to go step wise). I've had the pump running 24/7 since the 7th to clear the pool. Been scrubbing/vacuuming and cleaning skimmer and filter about once a day. The clarity is slowly improving, but not quite there yet. Because I was suspicious of the HTH-6 way results for CYA, I took a sample over to Leslie (10 mins from my house).
Here are Leslie's results:
FAC: 5 ppm
TC: 5 ppm (0.2 difference)
TA: 110
CH: 170
CYA: 50
pH: 7.4
Copper: 0
Iron: 0
TDS: 3000
Phosphates: 500
I was relieved that the CYA levels were in range. I guess the HTH - 6 way for CYA can't be trusted? Person at Leslie said I should get my CH up and lower phosphate levels. I have the Leslie chems to do so (from previous owner of the house) but I've read some threads on TFP to avoid Phosfree use. As I understand it, phosphorus is one of the elements needed for algae growth? It's a vinyl pool so should I be worried about CH being low? I've read some info that I shouldn't be too concerned with CH being low?
I added some clarifier last night and this morning that seems to have helped with the water clarity. I can see all the way down to the bottom on the deep end with just slight cloudiness. The shallow end looks crystal clear.
Any advice would greatly be appreciated.