Newbie, TF-100 kit compared to pool store readings

[Bethany1983]

Hi. I am new to testing chemicals myself. I have a 18x44' vinyl lined pool salt water generator, 23,243 gallons (that's what they say). I went to the pool store 1 month ago and this is their readings. They gave me a bag of PH decreaser and a big bucket of something for calcium hardness. However, I did not add it to the pool yet, and instead bought the TF-100 kit and did my own testings a month later. This is the results I wrote on paper. I am attaching my handwritten results, along with a picture of what the pool store printed out for me a month ago. I tried entering my values into the pool math calculator and it's just really confusing, I'm not sure where to start. Also, I have no problems with my pool at all, but I want it to stay that way which is why I'm testing myself to maintain, water is crystal clear. Just many bugs coming in (springtails) and the weather is getting hot and humid, water temp is already 91 degrees . south Georgia here.

 

[clambert1273]

What are test results right now? You can list them in a post like

FC
PH
TA
CH
CYA

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! We will always trust YOUR testing more than the pool store. Even if you did something wrong on a test, we can generally pick it out or ask you to try it again. There's never a need to have anyone test your water now that you have the TF-100. In fact, I see you also have Poolmath linked to your profile, so be sure to load those new test results into Poolmath each time so we can see them. Easy stuff. Then we can advise you accurately.

 

[DeanP66]

I find it funny that their report says ideal stabilizer (CYA) is 60-200ppm. Even with a SWG, you don't want to be above 80. Definitely trust your testing. You will get better and better at it over time and you will instinctively know what your pool needs without having someone tell you.

 

[Bethany1983]

Ok first I used the "total chlorine and bromine / ph test kit" in the little blue box that was inside of the TF-100 kit. It has the container with the yellow chart on left side and red chart on right side. I put the pool water in it to the line and added the drops as instructed:
Chlorine 1
Bromine 2
PH 7.8

Then, I followed the instructions that came in the separate insert inside of the tf100 kit, step 1-3.
FC: 2.25
CC: 1
CH: 275
TA: 140
CYA: 45

Additionally, I ordered the PH Meter but I cannot figure out how to calibrate it so I didn't use that meter in this testing. Does everything make sense?

 

[clambert1273]

I would call your cya 50 and use the FC/CYA Levels as you will see you need some chlorine

 

[DeanP66]

You don't even need to use that chlorine test that uses the yellow matching color. That is not very accurate. You want the FAS-DPD chlorine test where you add a heaping scoop of white powder to your sample and then add R0871 drops until the pink sample goes completely clear. That is the ACCURATE FC test.

 

[Bethany1983]

You don't even need to use that chlorine test that uses the yellow matching color. That is not very accurate. You want the FAS-DPD chlorine test where you add a heaping scoop of white powder to your sample and then add R0871 drops until the pink sample goes completely clear. That is the ACCURATE FC test.

Ok if I go by the powder with R0871 until clear, the result is 2.25

 

[clambert1273]

You can use that little block to test PH, it's what I use daily for PH

 

[Bethany1983]

You can use that little block to test PH, it's what I use daily for PH

it said I had to calibrate it first. I couldn't figure out how to do that

 

[DeanP66]

Each drop with a 10mL sample counts as .5, not .25. So 5 drops to clear the sample would give you 2.5 ppm FC.

 

[clambert1273]

Not the block, add water on the red side then add the 5 drops, put cap on block and mix I just turn it over a few times then match the shade

 

[Texas Splash]

Ok if I go by the powder with R0871 until clear, the result is 2.25

For future reference, be sure to do the FC test as follows:

10 ml water sample size with ONE generous scoop of powder (turns Barbie pink). Mix and count drops until clear. Then divide that number in half. Example, 10 drops equals an FC of 5.

For the pH, did you order a pH tester? That could be why you noted calibration. But you can also use the right side of that viewing block for pH. Fill water to the line and add 5 drops of R-0014, then match the shades.

 

[Bethany1983]

I would call your cya 50 and use the FC/CYA Levels as you will see you need some chlorine

I am looking at the chart. It's pretty confusing. Are you determining I need chlorine because at 50 CYA, the minimum FC should be 3.7 and mine is only 2.25?? Does this mean I should add SALT in order to raise the chlorine level? Or am I not understanding salt versus chlorine correctly..

 

[Bethany1983]

Each drop with a 10mL sample counts as .5, not .25. So 5 drops to clear the sample would give you 2.5 ppm FC.

You're right, it's 2.5, sorry for the confusion

 

[clambert1273]

I am looking at the chart. It's pretty confusing. Are you determining I need chlorine because at 50 CYA, the minimum FC should be 3.7 and mine is only 2.25?? Does this mean I should add SALT in order to raise the chlorine level? Or am I not understanding salt versus chlorine correctly..

At 50 you should target 6-8

 

[Bethany1983]

For future reference, be sure to do the FC test as follows:

10 ml water sample size with ONE generous scoop of powder (turns Barbie pink). Mix and count drops until clear. Then divide that number in half. Example, 10 drops equals an FC of 5.

For the pH, did you order a pH tester? That could be why you noted calibration. But you can also use the right side of that viewing block for pH. Fill water to the line and add 5 drops of R-0014, then match the shades.

Yes that's exactly how I measured the FC and it is 2.5 (not 2.25, I made a mistake)

 

[Bethany1983]

At 50 you should target 6-8View attachment 342689

Shouldn't I be looking at the salt generator tab though?

 

[clambert1273]

Your cya isnt high enough for that & im a betting woman that you will need to SLAM Process before going back to it

 

[Bethany1983]

So what do I do you guys? Anything? Are my levels ok or do I need to do anything? When I enter numbers in the pool math it has target numbers but I don't know what my target numbers should be..