Worried!! I’m not very smart and I’m freaking out

[zandrajones]

I just took over my pool from the pool servicing Company my friend does her own and I thought hey if she can I can. Little did I know it’s not as easy as she made it out to appear. I purchased the TF-pro
I can’t tell the color level on the cl It’s too close between a 5 and 3 and the pH is a 7.2. This morning my pool was clear but super low I’m in the 100 humid Houston.
1. I added a lot of water
2. Now my pool is greenish I just tested it and the test said to add some borax and that the the chlorine is fine. I have not seen anything on borax so should I add it?
3. How can I fix to get the coloring back to clear.
4. I’m freaking out and worried and wondering should I call them back.

 

[proavia]

Welcome to TFP!

Well - you were smart enough to find us and we can help!
You also were smart to purchase a TF-Pro test kit.
Now, take a deep breath and stop freaking out.

Post a full set of current test results from your TF-Pro
Don't bother with the yellow color thing for chlorine - use the FAS-DPD test that using the R-0870 powder and the R-0871 liquid reagent.
Follow the directions on the included instructions card - here are more detailed test instructions.

Extended Test Kit Directions Archives

www.troublefreepool.com

Post results as follows:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Water temperature

 

[PoolStored]

Welcome to TFP!! We got you...

Post a full set of results with your kit and we'll fix you up!

 

[zandrajones]

I ran a few tests but I am thinking i am doing something wrong are there test kit videos on each test and or instructions I think my kit might be missing the instructions. I’ll get all of these tomorrow. I wasted a lot of time today running these test and I added the borax so I want to test tomorrow to give it time to not mess up the sample

 

[mknauss]

TF-100's YouTube Channel

 

[PoolStored]

If you like written instructions you might like these too...you can print them out...

Extended Test Kit Directions Archives

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[zandrajones]

Here are my results from this morning. my chlorine is high. I have been using the tablets on our equipment I added 2 yesterday and turned it up to 6. I just turned it down to 3.
There’s some suggestions on the app I don’t quite understand.
Can you clarify. Should I stop using the tablets and switch to liquid I purchased the liquid yesterday from Walmart. If so should I take out the tablets my old pool company must of used liquid because they didn’t keep tablets in there or should I keep the tablets and use them up I spent like $150 on them.

2. Should I add some water to my pool?

 

[PoolStored]

Your water level should be maintained so that the water is half way up mouth of the skimmer.

Everything in you testing is OK for now, your FC is high.

I would remove the pucks and follow the SLAM process to clear your green pool. Link-->SLAM Process

When you have the time, would you create your signature?

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[zandrajones]

Today my pool is crystal clear should i still slam it?

I added my signature I dont have salt water oh how I wish I did. I purchased the Wallmat Liquid Chlorine is that OK?
Pool Essentials Chlorinating Liquid from Walmart.

 

[PoolStored]

Do an OCLT tonight. Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

You fail, you slam...

That chlorine is great.

 

[zandrajones]

Also based on the tests today the app for Clorine said there is no recommended chemical to lower free chlorine levels - so I guess do nothing
Then on PH it says Add 7.2 oz by weight of borax to reach my target but shows its in the safe range should I add it or leave it?
it shows cya in target but i can drain and refill again its in safe range should I leave it alone?
on calcium it says in safe range but recommends to replace 33% of the water should i leave this alone too?

Am I ok to do nothing right now since my pool is pretty clear and start checking daily and fill pool to where it should be?

Also when should we clean the filter?

 

[zandrajones]

Do an OCLT tonight. Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

You fail, you slam...

That chlorine is great.

Ok so here sun goes down around 9pm and comes up around 7 am so I will do that tonight and see what happens. Should I remove the pucks now and or before the first test tonight?

 

[PoolStored]

Also based on the tests today the app for Clorine said there is no recommended chemical to lower free chlorine levels - so I guess do nothing

Wait.

Then on PH it says Add 7.2 oz by weight of borax to reach my target but shows its in the safe range should I add it or leave it?

Leave it. pH will naturally rise in a pool. There are very few times you should raise pH chemically.

it shows cya in target but i can drain and refill again its in safe range should I leave it alone?

CYA 50 is great.

on calcium it says in safe range but recommends to replace 33% of the water should i leave this alone too?

CH is a bit high. I certainly would plan on reducing it in the next month or two. What is the CH of your fill water?

Am I ok to do nothing right now since my pool is pretty clear and start checking daily and fill pool to where it should be?

 

[PoolStored]

Should I remove the pucks now and or before the first test tonight?

An hour before you test...leave pump running.

 

[zandrajones]

Wait.

Leave it. pH will naturally rise in a pool. There are very few times you should raise pH chemically.

CYA 50 is great.

CH is a bit high. I certainly would plan on reducing it in the next month or two. What is the CH of your fill water?

I don’t my fill water CH, how can I test that?

 

[PoolStored]

Take water from the hose you use to fill the pool, do the CH test on that water.

 

[proavia]

Did your FC test at 42 or 4.2 (4 point 2)?
Seems the prior test was logged at 3.0

When testing FC, use the 10ml sample size. Each drop of R-0871 counts as 0.5 ppm FC.
Take the total number of drops and divide by 2. 13 drops is 6.5

 

[zandrajones]

Did your FC test at 42 or 4.2 (4 point 2)?
Seems the prior test was logged at 3.0

When testing FC, use the 10ml sample size. Each drop of R-0871 counts as 0.5 ppm FC.
Take the total number of drops and divide by 2. 13 drops is 6.5

Yes, it was 42. I ended up putting in 84 drops before it turned clear.

 

[zandrajones]

Is the pool swimmable during the slam?

 

[proavia]

As long as your FC is between minimum and SLAM levels for your CYA, based on the FC/CYA Levels chart - and you can see the entire bottom of the pool (swimmer safety) - it's safe to use the pool.