First test with the TF-100!

[Av642]

Hey All

Just wanted to say last night was my first test with the TF-100 kit. I must say, kudos to the TFP team for creating this kit. It was easy to use and the instructions were clear - step by step!

To be honest - I waited to test my own water because I wanted to have adequate time to learn the tests. However, with the clear instructions and the smart stir - it was easy to use. So don't be like me, if you are a first time kit user, just test your water right away!

My results are as follows:

Free CL - 5
CCL - 0.5
Total CL - 5.5
CA Hardness - 75
Alk - 60
CYA - 20
pH - 7.8
OCLT - Pass

Seeing as I have a Vinyl pool and SWG - should I increase my Calcium Hardness? The pool store(I know, I don't buy a lot of what they say) said it was too low and would potentially crack the liner?
CYA - this is where i'm having the most problem, the sock method doesn't allow the CYA to dissolve quickly. I need to massage the sock in order for it to release the CYA, is there a better way?
Free CL - I'm going to put the SWG down to 10 percent so that the CL can drop a bit as I will be aiming for a level of about 2. I need to figure out how much my daily output of the SWG should be which has been difficult as my CYA is very low.

Anything else anyone would recommend?

 

[Texas Splash]

Congrats on the TF-100 and testing. No need to add CH. The pool store tech ahs been out in the sun too long. Your vinyl and SWG do not need calcium. A low pH will crack vinyl though. So no CH. The CYA is low and the sock method works, but be sure to let the sock soak for at least 30 minutes before you try squeezing it all out. That should work better. Be careful about going too low with the FC, especially once you increase the CYA to 70 for your salt pool. Always refer to the FC/CYA Levels to keep the FC at the proper level for your CYA.

 

[Av642]

Got it - Not even worrying about Calcium Hardness now.
CYA - I'll start adding via the sock method now.
FC - I'll monitor and keep adjusting the SWG until I find the right amount.
CC - it changes color after 1 drop so I assume it's 0.5 - do I take care of this now before I add more CYA or just let it ride?

Thanks!

 

[Toad_stools]

Adding CYA via the sock does take some time. I increased my CYA this way from about 30 up to 70 and it took about a week in total. I’d top up the sock, leave it for a few hours, squeeze it a bit, wait a day, test water, add some more. It takes a bit of time for it to show up in the test results. Keep at it!

 

[Texas Splash]

CC - it changes color after 1 drop so I assume it's 0.5 - do I take care of this now before I add more CYA or just let it ride?

Anything 0.5 or less is basically zero so you're good. In the future if you ever see if at 1.0 or higher, then we would see what's going on.

 

[Av642]

Adding CYA via the sock does take some time. I increased my CYA this way from about 30 up to 70 and it took about a week in total. I’d top up the sock, leave it for a few hours, squeeze it a bit, wait a day, test water, add some more. It takes a bit of time for it to show up in the test results. Keep at it!

Perfect. I'll tackle this today and continue throughout the week.

Anything 0.5 or less is basically zero so you're good. In the future if you ever see if at 1.0 or higher, then we would see what's going on.

Okay, this puts me at ease.

Thank you all!