Recent content by yeggim

Don,t mean to be argumentative but OTO is the most reliable test for the presence of chlorine. Is it the best? Definitely not but it's better than nothing. FAS-DPD is King but OTO can be a Prince in a pinch.

Mix equal parts pool water and distilled water(or any water that's unchlorinated). A reading of three will actually be six with this diluted sample. Two parts unchlorinated water to one part pool water will triple the reading.

The CC test will turn pink again after sitting.There have been a few times when folks completed the CC test, let the sample sit and thought they had more CC than what was originally tested.

Woah. You have a sand filter. Only add a cup of DE to start with. Wait a half hour and check pressure. 12 cups are what you add to a DE filter. It only takes me a 1/4 to 1/2 cup added to my sand filter to get a 1 to 2 psi increase.

There's really no ban on adding things here. There's some things that are not required and/or create more problems than they solve. Algaecides that contain metal is one example. It's all about knowing exactly what is in the substance and what it will do to your water once added. Down at the...

You just need that one test to make your 2005 a complete 2006. Here's the link FAS/DPD Chlorine & CC's test

Here ya go. TF-Test Kit

Sounds like you have the Taylor K-2005. You're going to need the FAS/DPD Chlorine & CC's test to do a proper SLAM. If you have the Taylor K-2006 then there should be a little jar of powder in the kit.

Go slow with the DE and make sure you keep an eye on the pressure.

Depends. It's your pool but you have to careful it doesn't build up. Test strips can bleach out with high Chlorine. When that happens, some folks think there's zero Chlorine. They add more and more. When they get their real test kit, it's like Holey Moley, how did my Chlorine get to 40 PPM...

Why would you suggest that. Mr. Jack is gonna have to do a proper SLAM when his test kit arrives. If his CYA is indeed in the 30 range, he's at a perfect starting point for a SLAM. Besides, he's in Maryland and doesn't get that Texican sun you all get. :D:)

It's hard to give advice based on test numbers from strips. Especially on pools with vinyl liners. Without a solid CYA number it's not prudent to assume a SLAM level. I think what you're doing now is the way to go till you order a proper Test Kit. Keep dosing and filtering till then...

Here's my experience with DE and a sand filter. I don't use it until I can see the bottom. Until that point I'd rather have maximum velocity out of the returns (pointing down) to keep thing stirred up. Once I see the bottom, I only use it before vacuuming. After I vacuum, I immediately...

Might want to rethink that. Diatomaceous earth for pool use is sintered (heat treated).

I have the same size pool and the same problem. Still on-going for years. I too thought it was algae related at first. Thought maybe there was live algae hiding in the steps and what collected on the bottom was dead algae. A real head scratcher. Since the OCLT doesn't lie, I looked...