New pool owner trying to understand test strip reading

Keep a bag or two, or three on hand for the season. Then you can add immediately.
Also, to be clear, the cell does NOT consume salt. After it makes chlorine, is consumed sanitizing, it is returned as salt to the pool.
The test accuracy is +/- 1 drop for each 10 drops. You used 16 drops, so +/- 300ppm. Don't fret the variation.
Salt is only removed when you replace water (splashout, rain/pump down etc.)
 
Let it be until the cell complains. My IC60 works down to 2800 then produces at a reduced output until shutting off at 2600. If you see your test at 2800, then add a couple hundred to beat it to the punch. But otherwise let it be.
Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks.
You have to keep dropping it as it rises above 7.5. Each round will drop the TA a bit. Around 70 TA, switch to maintaining high 7s from 7.8 to 8.2. If you catch it at 8.0, drop it to 7.8
Of course there is more haha. Thought I had the pool right where I wanted it. Thanks. That doesn't seem too hard to do anymore. So, wait until pH goes about 7.5/7/6 and then add more muriatic acid to get down to 7.2 again?

Also, do you think I am good to know just test once a week? I have been getting a lot of practice testing this last week.
 
Keep a bag or two, or three on hand for the season. Then you can add immediately.
Yup, I have three bags in the basement. Thanks.
Also, to be clear, the cell does NOT consume salt. After it makes chlorine, is consumed sanitizing, it is returned as salt to the pool.
The test accuracy is +/- 1 drop for each 10 drops. You used 16 drops, so +/- 300ppm. Don't fret the variation.
Salt is only removed when you replace water (splashout, rain/pump down etc.)
That is all interesting. I thought it used the salt to create chlorine. Great to know. That makes sense now, that you don't have to replace salt that often.
 
So, wait until pH goes about 7.5/7/6 and then add more muriatic acid to get down to 7.2 again?
Yup thats it. Then shift to 7.8+ once the TA gets where you want. If you dose over a bit to 7.6 its no biggie.
Also, do you think I am good to know just test once a week?
The FC and Ph likely swing more often than that. Or if not, make sure youre a full blown ninja at them.

Salt / CH / TA and CYA will all be plenty solid to go weekly. Once they prove stable there, go two weeks, then monthy.
 
Yup thats it. Then shift to 7.8+ once the TA gets where you want. If you dose over a bit to 7.6 its no biggie.

The FC and Ph likely swing more often than that. Or if not, make sure youre a full blown ninja at them.

Salt / CH / TA and CYA will all be plenty solid to go weekly. Once they prove stable there, go two weeks, then monthy.
Haha sounds good. It’s crazy that all of this sounds normal to me now, but a week ago I was lost