Just started testing

[jasvenn]

Hi All,

We just took over our pool maintenance from a pool care service however keeping everything in balance worries me greatly.

While I waited for the Taylor kit, I took it to a pool supply place to have the water tested. Everything was good except the salt (4100), pH (8), and chlorine (5) were high. I added water (has to be city as our well is not working properly), muriatic acid, and turned down the SWG to 40% (at 50%).

I did my own reading last night with the new Taylor kit but could not test the salt as one of the reagents was missing.

Free Chlorine - 10.4
pH - 8 (acid demand was 3 drops)
TA - 140
Calcium Hardness - 200
CA - 60

My understanding is to add more muriatic acid, add more water, and turn down the SWG or do I just turn it off???
Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[duraleigh]

Welcome to the forum

Start here

Pool Care Basics Archives. It will answer many of your questions and prompt you to ask more

Throw out the pool store completely. It is NOT a good way to check yourself. We'll help all the way!

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome! As a reminder, the salt testing kit (K-1766) is not included in the Taylor standard tests. You have to get that separately.

You said you did your own testing? Which Taylor kit do you have? Please add that, and all of your pool & equipment info to your signature. That will help with replies immensely. See our signatures as examples.

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Texas Splash]

Yes, we use muriatic acid to lower the pH. Typically the pH can be anywhere between 7.2-7.8 and you are fine. Most of the time however the pH will float upwards, so keeping it in the upper 7s is always good.

 

[Texas Splash]

When the FC is high, yes, Turing down the SWG output and/or pump run time will help to lower the FC. But your FC may not be totally out of line. Above you list "CA", but I'm assuming that is CYA (stabilizer) correct? Whenever you want to know what FC your water should be at, go to our FC/CYA Levels. The proper FC level is based off of your current CYA level. That's key to preventing algae.

 

[Texas Splash]

It also appears you are using the Taylor method for FC testing (25 ML water sample size and multiply drops by 0.2). Instead, use this method:

Grab a 10 ml water sample size. Add ONE generous scoop of powder and add/count drops until it goes clear. Then divide that result in half (0.5). For example, 20 drops to clear equals and FC of 10.

It's still accurate FC testing that way and should save you some reagents.

 

[JJ_Tex]

Are you adding water to lower your salt and FC?

Your FC is perfectly fine. With your CYA of 60 you can safely swim at much higher levels. I certainly wouldn't turn it off, but feel free to bump down the %. Just make sure you never get below 4 FC or you can start to get algae.

4,100 salt is fine too, as long as it is fine with your SWCG. What model do you have and is it giving you some sort of "high salt" warning and shutting down? If its working just fine, leave it alone.

 

[jasvenn]

Thank you for the tips everyone! I added to my signature with the pool information that I could find. I ordered the salt kit for the Taylor but I only received the first reagent (only one orange bottle) so I have to figure that out. Yes, Texas Splash, I meant CYA for the CA. The SWG has not given any warnings to add salt or that there too much salt. I have been in panic that I am going to mess up my pool chemistry in the first weeks of taking over. Thank you all for your tips, advice, and patience! I really appreciate it. I added muriatic acid today and turned down the generator to 20%. I will retest the chlorine and pH again tonight.

 

[JJ_Tex]

Thank you for the tips everyone! I added to my signature with the pool information that I could find. I ordered the salt kit for the Taylor but I only received the first reagent (only one orange bottle) so I have to figure that out. Yes, Texas Splash, I meant CYA for the CA. The SWG has not given any warnings to add salt or that there too much salt. I have been in panic that I am going to mess up my pool chemistry in the first weeks of taking over. Thank you all for your tips, advice, and patience! I really appreciate it. I added muriatic acid today and turned down the generator to 20%. I will retest the chlorine and pH again tonight.

Thanks for adding your signature. Your model has a high salt light on it, so as long as your light is not on you should be good to go.