Wonky pH probe or is pH actually this high?

[JenniferMarie90]

Hi all, my PB turned our pool over to us OUT of spec (NO chlorine and pH at 8.0) last Friday so ive been scrambling to get things right since. See attached for pics my pH probe is telling me the pH of my water is 8.1 which is too high (pebblesheen says my pH should 7.0-7.4 for the first 28 days I’m struggling to get it that low I feel like I’m adding muriatic acid every other day). Am I reading this pH Taylor right? It looks 7.5 but my probe is saying 8.1...my alkalinity is 90 which is a little low too, could explain my issues with pH. I’m having to manually chlorinate for the first 28 days too. I’ve been putting the chlorine powder in the skimmer but I read on pebbletecs website not to do that; even though my PB did it? Any input on that as well? It says it’s trichlor on the container maybe it’s not the best product to be using.
Finally is this the blue I’m looking for for the calcium test?

I felt confident until my PB was like “oops sorry forgot to tell you no one has been to your house in days it’s actually your turn to put chemicals in and has been, forgot to mention it”

 

[MITBeta]

I would trust the Taylor kit. Those electronic pH probes often need to be calibrated.

Don’t add chemicals to your skimmer as a rule. Not sure what powdered chlorine product you're using, but whatever it is you need to be aware that you're adding other products as well, such as calcium or chlorine. Fine if your pool can take it, but not so otherwise.

 

[JenniferMarie90]

I would trust the Taylor kit. Those electronic pH probes often need to be calibrated.

Don’t add chemicals to your skimmer as a rule. Not sure what powdered chlorine product you're using, but whatever it is you need to be aware that you're adding other products as well, such as calcium or chlorine. Fine if your pool can take it, but not so otherwise.

I read in pool school to add CYA via the skimmer, is that not right to do either? Going forward I will avoid if so.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Congrats on completion of the pool!

CYA should be placed in a sock or nylon (tied at the top) and hung in front of a return (jet). You can put the sock in the skimmer with the pump running until the CYA is dissolved. Squeezing the sock frequently will speed up the process.

Unless you need to raise CH (calcium hardness), discontinue use of cal-hypo and pick up some liquid chlorine. In LV, your CH levels will rise quickly as you top off evaporative loss.

Ask lots of questions. Might be best to post a full set of test results. Keep in mind, CYA may take at least 24 hours or more to completely dissolve and register on the test.

Enjoy the pool!

 

[an1vrsy]

First off congratulations on getting your pool completed just in time for summer. Yay!!! Oh, where’s the photo.

Zero chlorine is solved by adding liquid chlorine based upon your test results for FC. You have the test kit, you can do this. Just used Pool Math keep your FC in line with the FC/CYA Chart You will use the liquid chlorine tab until you are past the initial 28 day period then add salt per the manufacturer specs and then transition over to the SWG tab for your day to day FC target.

You can buy liquid chlorine from Walmart, HD or Lowe’s. Here in Las Vegas we do have “Leslie’s Pro” stores that sell 10% strength liquid chlorine but make sure you do not ask them any questions. Just buy the 2 pack and leave. Pool store advice and TFP does not mix. If you have question, as you’ve already noticed, members are more than happy to answer.

 

[JenniferMarie90]

Congrats on completion of the pool!

CYA should be placed in a sock or nylon (tied at the top) and hung in front of a return (jet). You can put the sock in the skimmer with the pump running until the CYA is dissolved. Squeezing the sock frequently will speed up the process.

Unless you need to raise CH (calcium hardness), discontinue use of cal-hypo and pick up some liquid chlorine. In LV, your CH levels will rise quickly as you top off evaporative loss.

Ask lots of questions. Might be best to post a full set of test results. Keep in mind, CYA may take at least 24 hours or more to completely dissolve and register on the test.

Enjoy the pool!

Whoops I put the CYA directly in the skimmer. I will NOT do that again. I did read about a sock, but I didn't know if it meant a sock like I put on my foot or what. Lesson learned. I do have a few jugs of regular old bleach, can I use that until I can get some liquid chlorine? Worried there's still a shortage or its hard to find, thats how I ended up the cal-hypo...

 

[JenniferMarie90]

First off congratulations on getting your pool completed just in time for summer. Yay!!! Oh, where’s the photo.

Zero chlorine is solved by adding liquid chlorine based upon your test results for FC. You have the test kit, you can do this. Just used Pool Math keep your FC in line with the FC/CYA Chart You will use the liquid chlorine tab until you are past the initial 28 day period then add salt per the manufacturer specs and then transition over to the SWG tab for your day to day FC target.

You can buy liquid chlorine from Walmart, HD or Lowe’s. Here in Las Vegas we do have “Leslie’s Pro” stores that sell 10% strength liquid chlorine but make sure you do not ask them any questions. Just buy the 2 pack and leave. Pool store advice and TFP does not mix. If you have question, as you’ve already noticed, members are more than happy to answer.

Yes I need to take some pictures! The landscaping is getting fixed this week so it'll be more photogenic soon lol

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

do have a few jugs of regular old bleach, can I use that until I can get some liquid chlorine?

As long as it's plain, NOT splashless, scentless bleach. You may need to research the strength (percentage).

 

[DeanP66]

We don't recommend Clorox anymore since they added their colormax technologies. You don't want that in your pool.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Sorry, I looked at my post above. I edited it to read NOT splashless bleach.

 

[Newdude]

Yes I need to take some pictures!

We rode that agonizing roller coaster with you while you decided all your details/finish. We. Demand. Pics. !!!!

(As friendly and appreciative as possible, of course. ).

The landscaping is getting fixed this week so it'll be more photogenic soon lol

We don’t care. No ma’am. Not. One. Bit. It’s plenty photogenic now.