I went to another pool store and it actually was a much better experience that the other ps in town. They didn't push products down my throat and I walked out of there without spending one penny :-D Here are my readings:
CYA: 70
TC: 6.5
FC: 6.5
Ph: 7.3
TA: 113
Adj. TA: 92
Total Hardness: 124
TDS: 700
Of course, they advised me to raise the TA. They explained that is should be between 125-150. I know you guys say that is too high. They said it needs to be at least 125 b/c a the lower TA can lead to ear infections, skin rashes, and eye irritation not to mention that is is bad on the equipment. They said if I raise the TA, then it would raise the Ph to probably 7.7 or 7.8 and I would then need to lower it to keep it in the 7.4-7.6 range. What's your take on this advise?
They also talked about a maintenance dose of algecide. Is that necessary?
They said I need to shock it weekly until it gets cooler and then go to every other week. As I understand from you guys is that if I'm maintaining proper FC levels based on where my CYA is, then there is no need to shock weekly, or on any other regular schedule.
Now, about the CYA, which if you read my other post, has been freaking me out with the off the chart readings on my test strips. The lady at the ps today talked to me about the reading when I questioned it. She retested and explained the test as she did it and showed me the results. I still won't be totally convinced until my kit arrives and I test it myself, but for now, I will gladly take a 70 CYA reading! I will need to get my FC up to 8 as a target. Are there reliable test strips out there to test chlorine and Ph? Should I get these to use until my kit comes (hopefully next week) and then have to use as a backup or additional testing?
Thanks y'all 8)
CYA: 70
TC: 6.5
FC: 6.5
Ph: 7.3
TA: 113
Adj. TA: 92
Total Hardness: 124
TDS: 700
Of course, they advised me to raise the TA. They explained that is should be between 125-150. I know you guys say that is too high. They said it needs to be at least 125 b/c a the lower TA can lead to ear infections, skin rashes, and eye irritation not to mention that is is bad on the equipment. They said if I raise the TA, then it would raise the Ph to probably 7.7 or 7.8 and I would then need to lower it to keep it in the 7.4-7.6 range. What's your take on this advise?
They also talked about a maintenance dose of algecide. Is that necessary?
They said I need to shock it weekly until it gets cooler and then go to every other week. As I understand from you guys is that if I'm maintaining proper FC levels based on where my CYA is, then there is no need to shock weekly, or on any other regular schedule.
Now, about the CYA, which if you read my other post, has been freaking me out with the off the chart readings on my test strips. The lady at the ps today talked to me about the reading when I questioned it. She retested and explained the test as she did it and showed me the results. I still won't be totally convinced until my kit arrives and I test it myself, but for now, I will gladly take a 70 CYA reading! I will need to get my FC up to 8 as a target. Are there reliable test strips out there to test chlorine and Ph? Should I get these to use until my kit comes (hopefully next week) and then have to use as a backup or additional testing?
Thanks y'all 8)