CYA level readings

[Jdaher]

I am having trouble determining my CYA level and thus shock level.

The first results:

6/6/14
TA 90
Ph 7.8
Cya 100
Fc 0
Tc 0

Was instructed to put in 15 lbs of shock and wait 30 mins and do 20oz of algae dies, then put in tablets


Next test
6/9/14
Ta 80
Ph 7.2
Cya 100
Fc 0
Tc 0
Copper 0.5

Was instructed to put in a whole bottle of clear and perfect in skimmer while on recirculate for two hours then leave pump off for 48 hours..... Then once you can see bottom , vacuum to waste......pool never cleared up, still green cloudy


Last night I used my own new test strips

6/11/2014
Ph ~7
Fc 0
Tc 0
Cya 0-50 ish

I went with 30 cya and added 5 gallons of 8.25% bleach over returns, waited 30 mins and tested again

Ph ~7
Fc 0-1 maybe
Tc 10
Cya 0-50

Put in 5 more gallons of 8.25% bleach over returns.


Today 6/12/14, I took three samples to the pool store.

#1 100% pool water
Ta 40
Ph 6.8
Cya 100
Fc 1
Tc 1
Copper 0.5

#2 50/50 pool and tap water
Ta 40
Ph 7.5
Cya 100
FC 1
Tc 1
Copper 0.5

#3 1/4 pool water , 3/4 tap water
Ta 100
Ph 7.6
Cya 100
Fc 0
Tc 0
Copper 0


Sample #1 was instructed to put 20 lbs sodium, wait 4 hours, 12 lbs shock. And then tabs ( have not done this yet)

From my understanding, the cya level in the pool would have to be >=400 according to test #3 since I diluted it with 3/4 tap water...

My little test strips say the cya level is between 0-50 though. What should I do?

 

[JohnT]

Welcome to TFP!

What should I do?

Since you can see that pool store testing is no better than guessing, I'd recommend a good test kit. It will pay for itself in no time.

 

[scott.MI]

Stop using test strips they are awful.. Stop using pool store testing, it's not much better and it has the side effect of getting sold on a bunch of garbage you don't need. Stop buying everything the pool store tries to sell you, you could have bought your own test kit with what you've spent at the store.

Buy a TF-100, do your own testing. Read pool school and learn about pool water maintenance.

Receive your TF-100 test kit, and post your results from that test.

- - - Updated - - -

Was instructed to put in 15 lbs of shock and wait 30 mins and do 20oz of algae dies, then put in tablets

Are you able to find out what the active ingredient in your 15 lbs of shock was? The tablets are making your CYA higher every time you use them.

 

[Jdaher]

Are you able to find out what the active ingredient in your 15 lbs of shock was? The tablets are making your CYA higher every time you use them.

Yes, it was trichlor. We have stopped using it since I have been reading tfp and that is why I used the 10 gallons of bleach last time. We just picked up a bucket of cal- hypo to use in the future.

 

[scott.MI]

Yes, it was trichlor.

Ouch, there is another 33 CYA increase. The single best thing you can do for yourself is to get your own test kit, do your own testing. Not only to get clear water, but the amount of money it will save you from not getting pool stored.

If you do order a test kit, and while you wait...I would seriously consider doing a partial drain while you wait to receive it, if your water cost is not outrageous. It is very likely you are well over 100.

 

[Jdaher]

Test kit has been ordered. The tf-100 will be here Monday or Tuesday.

This morning I got three sample bottles and took a sample to each of the three pool stores in my area. The sample water was taken exactly the same at the same time. All three pool store tests were done within an hour of each other.

Test #1
TC 10
FC 10
TA 120
PH 7.5
CYA 20

Test #2
TC 3
FC 3
TA 100
PH 7.6
CYA 100
Copper 0.5

Test #3
TC 0.14
FC 1.25
TA 50
PH 7.2
CH 10
CYA 0