giant_donut
Bronze Supporter
Any tips for testing the pH?
Do I hold up the test water up against the white of my house or against the sun? I have difficulty telling between 7.8 and 8.0.
Chemical Disaster -
- Thread starter LimaBeans
- Start date
Do I hold up the test water up against the white of my house or against the sun? I have difficulty telling between 7.8 and 8.0.
Some use a white sheet of paper (your house would do the same). Others hold it up to the blue sky. Everybody has their own way to make them feel better about getting it wrong anyway.
When it’s close enough to be wrong and out of range, it’s time to add MA.
So attached are the last 3 tests.
We only added 1 gallon FC on the first day. We took out the pucks.
The TA has gone down the the FC has gone from light yellow to bright yellow to orangish.
We only added 1 gallon FC on the first day. We took out the pucks.
The TA has gone down the the FC has gone from light yellow to bright yellow to orangish.
It seems like the chlorine is going up.
Probably the residual from the tabs.
I would just wait for the chlorine to drop into range before swimming.
The pH looks ok.
Let's see what the new test kit shows for the entire test set.
Probably the residual from the tabs.
I would just wait for the chlorine to drop into range before swimming.
The pH looks ok.
Let's see what the new test kit shows for the entire test set.
It looks much more clear. We are still working on getting the settlement that is at the bottom. When we sweep or use the robot it spins it up and resettles.
Progress, even when slow, is still progress. So Yay !! Dead algae is miserable to get off the floor because it poofs back into the water as you know. But you ARE getting there. Keep it up and keep us posted !!
Ok, I think that we're getting some progress.
Your new test kit will help figure out how to make sure that the water is safe and swimmable.
Note that hair can turn green from the copper that's in the water, especially blonde hair.
Your new test kit will help figure out how to make sure that the water is safe and swimmable.
Note that hair can turn green from the copper that's in the water, especially blonde hair.
What amazes me most about a thread like this is that nobody is arguing over how to resolve the issue. Everyone's on the same page and providing the same advice. It's like watching a well oiled machine.
We only have one flavor of Pool-Aid here. And it's purple which is a the BEST flavor !!!!!!
Completely unscientific estimate of chlorine levels using the OTO test.
Richard320;495611 said:
I don't use the sky and don't use a sheet of white paper against the back of it because it darkens the results. I test where it's well lit and have a nice white moldiing that is the backdrop. The color then turns electric with no guessing where you're at.Some use a white sheet of paper (your house would do the same). Others hold it up to the blue sky. Everybody has their own way to make them feel better about getting it wrong anyway.
When it’s close enough to be wrong and out of range, it’s time to add MA.
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
Wait, how come mine is Lime Green!
Brown ugh, I've seen orange, but never got it to brown before. yikes.
Since it is a comparator test, just be consistent about the setting you use. If a white backdrop makes it easiest for you, then use that one all the time.
DanF
Silver Supporter
- Mar 17, 2019
- 594
- Pool Size
- 12500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
If you're finding that you are having trouble interpreting the results of the pH test by using the comparator, another option is an electronic pH tester. Many on this forum, including myself use the Apera PH60.
What I do for the pH test is hold a white, plastic plate up behind it while I held it up under the bright light over my stove.
Consistancy is the most important part of testing. Pick a method (with or without white background) and lighting source and stick with it
Once we get the numbers, I think that the main issues will be the copper and the cyanuric acid level.
Copper is mostly a cosmetic issue that can turn your hair green.
Cyanuric acid should be lowered to about 60 ppm, which will likely require a series of partial drain and refills.
Before draining any water, check the ground water to make sure that it's not too high.
See if you have a 12" tube near the pool that is used to check and manage the ground water.
You never want to lower the pool water below the ground water or the pool can float.
Copper is mostly a cosmetic issue that can turn your hair green.
Cyanuric acid should be lowered to about 60 ppm, which will likely require a series of partial drain and refills.
Before draining any water, check the ground water to make sure that it's not too high.
See if you have a 12" tube near the pool that is used to check and manage the ground water.
You never want to lower the pool water below the ground water or the pool can float.
Ok - testing with the BiG KID kit.
TA it took 26 drops compared to 6 with the old tester. Can that be possible?
Verify that you are doing the test correctly.
Make sure that the amount of water is correct and make sure that you are using the correct multiplier for the amount of water.
Maybe post the steps you are using so that we can verify.
Post all tests when you get a chance.
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