Trying to open the pool.. We had more contamination than I'm used to because of a problem with the winter cover, but I was able to get most of the junk out before adding any chlorine. The water had a slight green tint but I could still clearly see the bottom.
13500 gallon pool. I added 12 or so of liquid pool chlorine (the stronger stuff from the hardware store, not clorox) and have run the pump for 2 days. I have had to backwash several times, which I see as good, but the water isn't clear yet. Probably making progress there, but not clear. I suspect, but do not know that the chlorine I got from the store was from last year, so I do question if it's been sitting long enough to be weak which is why I added so much - I assume it wouldn't be completely useless. All this is background for the real question:
I have a TFTestKits TF-100 kit, which is several years old. It has been awesome and trustworthy... highly recommend! Today when I test the chlorine, I expected it to be high still, but when I mixed the granular chemical, there was not even a hint of pink which would indicate zero chlorine. I know I should have already replaced the test kit chemicals, so I tried my old pool store liquid drop test (Still generally trustworthy brand) and with the first drop of the chlorine test, the water turned kool-aid red. I have read that this indicates an extremely HIGH chlorine content. SO, I am stuck with two aged test kits giving completely opposite results, and I'm questioning which one is more likely to be wrong.
I have ordered a new TF-100 kit, but that'll be several days. I think I'll also head to walmart or the local pool store to buy some test strips or a new liquid drop test. I guess I can also dilute the pool water to some known concentration (we have well water, so no chlorine) so I guess I can get the real reading, but I'm really surprised that the test kits would potentially fail in opposite ways and wondering if there's a common way these fail and how long the chemicals really last in these test kits..
TIA and hoping your pool is more ready than mine for this important weekend!!
-Steve
13500 gallon pool. I added 12 or so of liquid pool chlorine (the stronger stuff from the hardware store, not clorox) and have run the pump for 2 days. I have had to backwash several times, which I see as good, but the water isn't clear yet. Probably making progress there, but not clear. I suspect, but do not know that the chlorine I got from the store was from last year, so I do question if it's been sitting long enough to be weak which is why I added so much - I assume it wouldn't be completely useless. All this is background for the real question:
I have a TFTestKits TF-100 kit, which is several years old. It has been awesome and trustworthy... highly recommend! Today when I test the chlorine, I expected it to be high still, but when I mixed the granular chemical, there was not even a hint of pink which would indicate zero chlorine. I know I should have already replaced the test kit chemicals, so I tried my old pool store liquid drop test (Still generally trustworthy brand) and with the first drop of the chlorine test, the water turned kool-aid red. I have read that this indicates an extremely HIGH chlorine content. SO, I am stuck with two aged test kits giving completely opposite results, and I'm questioning which one is more likely to be wrong.
I have ordered a new TF-100 kit, but that'll be several days. I think I'll also head to walmart or the local pool store to buy some test strips or a new liquid drop test. I guess I can also dilute the pool water to some known concentration (we have well water, so no chlorine) so I guess I can get the real reading, but I'm really surprised that the test kits would potentially fail in opposite ways and wondering if there's a common way these fail and how long the chemicals really last in these test kits..
TIA and hoping your pool is more ready than mine for this important weekend!!
-Steve
