Hi all! I am very glad I found this site! Taylor 2006 test kit is on its way but until then I was hoping for some advice. First some background - We had pool installed last October and had pool company winterize and open pool this spring. We are hoping to avoid that expense this year by doing it ourselves. The pool was fine. I used the Aqua test strips every once in a while (I did say I was new at this) . The water started to turn the white steps a little yellow so... I bring a sample into the pool store and get a list of things to add to pool including 3lbs of shock 150 pounds of salt and 6.5 pounds of stabilizer. As soon as I add the shock the water turns emerald green! Pool guy says I have too much metal - tells me to purchase 2 bottles of metal out at a more local pool store. After a day or two the water clears up. Aquacheck strips showed everything in the normal range. A day or two later it starts to look a little yellow so I decided to go to local pool guy. Pool guy#2 says my free chlorine is low and that I need 3 more pounds of shock, a half gallon of muriatic acid, and 2 capfulls (out of a $26 can) of Yellow Treat Algicide.
I follow his directions dumping it all in last night and leaving the filter on. This morning the pool looks crystal clear but when I used the Aquachek strips the FC is 10+ a bright magenta and everything else is normal. I left the solar cover off after reading on this site that the sun will help burn some chlorine off.
So.. Another trip to Pool Guy 2 - I tell him I am concerned with the high FC level - he says "yeah I had to knock it down to 1 so it wouldnt throw off the results of the other tests" ????? Does that mean he cut it with water?? He says the high FC is nothing to worry about but wants me to add Proteam Alkalinity Up, and another quart of muriatic acid. I have spent about 150 bucks on pool chemicals in the past few weeks - so I am very interested in the BBB plan
Here are the readings he got which I am doubtful of:
TC 1.3
FC 1.3 (Aquachek Test repeatedly reads 10+)
ph 8.4
TA 85
Calcium Hardness 225
Stabilizer 55
Salt 3240
Phosphate 800
I told him I was not going to add anything for a day or two. (I am waiting for the Taylor Test kit)
So here are my questions:
1. Should I wait until I get the test kit (July2nd) or should I add baking soda and muriatic acid?
2. If I add the chemicals, how much of each - I tried using the pool calculator and it seems to need a "borate" rating and I dont have that from the pool store test.
3. Should I be worried about the high FC level - is it ok to swim in? Pool guy said sure but ..... I have lost faith
Thanks,
Theresa
I follow his directions dumping it all in last night and leaving the filter on. This morning the pool looks crystal clear but when I used the Aquachek strips the FC is 10+ a bright magenta and everything else is normal. I left the solar cover off after reading on this site that the sun will help burn some chlorine off.
So.. Another trip to Pool Guy 2 - I tell him I am concerned with the high FC level - he says "yeah I had to knock it down to 1 so it wouldnt throw off the results of the other tests" ????? Does that mean he cut it with water?? He says the high FC is nothing to worry about but wants me to add Proteam Alkalinity Up, and another quart of muriatic acid. I have spent about 150 bucks on pool chemicals in the past few weeks - so I am very interested in the BBB plan
Here are the readings he got which I am doubtful of:
TC 1.3
FC 1.3 (Aquachek Test repeatedly reads 10+)
ph 8.4
TA 85
Calcium Hardness 225
Stabilizer 55
Salt 3240
Phosphate 800
I told him I was not going to add anything for a day or two. (I am waiting for the Taylor Test kit)
So here are my questions:
1. Should I wait until I get the test kit (July2nd) or should I add baking soda and muriatic acid?
2. If I add the chemicals, how much of each - I tried using the pool calculator and it seems to need a "borate" rating and I dont have that from the pool store test.
3. Should I be worried about the high FC level - is it ok to swim in? Pool guy said sure but ..... I have lost faith
Thanks,
Theresa