Me? I would buy one just to have on hand. They come in mighty handy with a pool. Harbor Freight has them for under $100 bucks! That is what I have.
Time to figure out pool water chemistry (and more)
- Thread starter Diannapool22
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,147
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I picked up this one at my local hardware store. You can probably find them for less cost on Amazon and other places.
It is helpful to have around the house.
Geyser Series Submersible Utility Pump, .5-HP Motor, 3000-GPH
Master Plumber, 1/2 HP, Corrosion resistant thermoplastic construction, Portable Submersible Utility Pump, Energy efficient 3.0 amp motor, 8' Power Cord, Includes 3/4" male Garden Hose Adapter and 1-1/4" x 1" reduced, Corrosion Resistant Body, Transfers U
www.truevalue.com
- May 3, 2014
- 58,262
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Harbor Freight or Amazon for sub pumps. Something like Superior Pump 91570 1/2 HP Thermoplastic Side-Discharge Sump Pump, Float Switch - - Amazon.com or similar from Harbor Freight.
Read the exchanging water again. With high CH water the temperature does not matter much. Your pool water weighs more per unit volume than your fill water. So take pool water from the deep end and add fill water at the shallow end/top step.
Read the exchanging water again. With high CH water the temperature does not matter much. Your pool water weighs more per unit volume than your fill water. So take pool water from the deep end and add fill water at the shallow end/top step.
Fill water results:
CH- 525ppm
TA- 180
pH- 8.2
I borrowed a submersible pump from a friend. Need to buy a longer garden hose before starting anything.
CH- 525ppm
TA- 180
pH- 8.2
I borrowed a submersible pump from a friend. Need to buy a longer garden hose before starting anything.
Yeah that is some AZ water right there! We will get you all straightened out once you get the water exchange done.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,262
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
With that CH you will be replacing the water in your pool each year. I think your test is high. Testing CH at the higher levels truly requires a SpeedStir and following the Fading Endpoint test method. Read the Notes section of CH test directions
Ah interesting. Yes- the water definitely turned purple prior to going to blue. I probably added 5-7 more drops until the purple turned to more of a blue. I will try again with 5 drops R-0012 before adding anything else. I will order the SpeedStir today.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,262
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
When you get your Speedstir, once you reach about 12 to 15 total drops of R0012, start 'bumping', or turning on and off, the Speedstir between drops. Also wait several seconds between drops. The color change can take time to develop.
I assume you used a 10 ml water sample and each drop to blue is 25 ppm CH.
I assume you used a 10 ml water sample and each drop to blue is 25 ppm CH.
Yes 10 ml water sample. I will try again with Speedstir. Any concerns on high pH on the fill water?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,262
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
The pH of Colorado River water is typically 8 or just above. So that is correct.
I would think your fill water is closer to 250 ppm CH, 130 ppm TA. That is what ours is and we live 1/4 mile from the Colorado River and that is what is delivered to our home.
I would think your fill water is closer to 250 ppm CH, 130 ppm TA. That is what ours is and we live 1/4 mile from the Colorado River and that is what is delivered to our home.
Thanks! Speedstir arrives Friday. I am out of town Saturday so not sure when I will get to start draining/filling pool
Okay draining/filling the pool. Exit flow and entry flow seem about the same. How will I know when to stop? I don't have a way to measure the flow rate exiting/entering
Also got a Speedstir so going to test the water from right before fill just to see if I can get more accurate results.
Also got a Speedstir so going to test the water from right before fill just to see if I can get more accurate results.
If you are filling from a garden hose, you can estimate roughly 5-7 gpm.
Mendy48
Bronze Supporter
Mmmmmm.... great information to have for sure. I would also like to know where to rent/purchase a sub pump as well for future reference.
So if I am filling/draining at 7gpm (420 gph), it's going to take 42 hours to turn over my 17,820 gal pool?
Updated test numbers (with Speedstir) prior to draining:
FC= 38
CH= 1450
TA= 160
CYA= ~150 (can't see dark circle at bottom of viewing tube halfway to 100 line)
pH= 7.5
I needed some testing practice, maybe these are more accurate, although clearly not worth any significance
FC= 38
CH= 1450
TA= 160
CYA= ~150 (can't see dark circle at bottom of viewing tube halfway to 100 line)
pH= 7.5
I needed some testing practice, maybe these are more accurate, although clearly not worth any significance
- May 3, 2014
- 58,262
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Yes. It is a slow process. If you want a quick one, rent a 2 hp sump pump from Home Depot. It will pump about 3-4000 gph. You will need to go to your street with it as your sewer cleanout will not take that rate. You will also be draining your pool. Keep the plaster wet as well as you can. Then put your hose in the pool and fill it. It will take about the same 40 hours or so.
I think I'll just go the slow rate, have the flows matched and sewer clean out can handle the exit flow. We aren't supposed to run pool water in the street in Scottsdale according to the city website. Thanks for the info!
This is the safer way all the way around. Sure don't want someone showing up at your house asking about all of the water running down the road 
This also keeps your plaster protected.
You might need to do it a couple of times to get your numbers where they need to be.
For you CYA test do this for me:
-pull some pool water
-have some tap water ready
-put the same amount of pool water and tap water in a measuring cup. Maybe 1/4 cup of each. Mix it good
-now use the mixed tap/pool water for the CYA test.
-You will DOUBLE the number to find your CYA amount.
Doing the CYA test:
-GLANCE only!! Do not look for the dot. GLANCE in then look away.
-Pour to each line starting at 100. If you see the dot at a GLANCE then pour to the next line.
Kim
This also keeps your plaster protected. You might need to do it a couple of times to get your numbers where they need to be.
For you CYA test do this for me:
-pull some pool water
-have some tap water ready
-put the same amount of pool water and tap water in a measuring cup. Maybe 1/4 cup of each. Mix it good
-now use the mixed tap/pool water for the CYA test.
-You will DOUBLE the number to find your CYA amount.
Doing the CYA test:
-GLANCE only!! Do not look for the dot. GLANCE in then look away.
-Pour to each line starting at 100. If you see the dot at a GLANCE then pour to the next line.
Kim