I have a vinyl above ground pool with 8500 gallons of water. I recently converted to a salt water generator and have been battling with the water chemistry.
I have been using a ColorQ test kit to get the chemistry in line and a digital saline meter but am now really confused! After reading the recommendations on test kits, I purchased a new TF-Pro Salt kit and received it today. I went through testing and do not understand. My saline meter tells me I have a salt content of 4100 ppm. However, the TF-Pro salt test shows me I have 2800 ppm, even after running the test 3 times to make sure! I also used some new test strips for salt, and they show content around 4000 ppm. I was getting ready to drain some more water to get the count to my target of 3500 ppm, but now I do not know if I should! That is problem 1!
I also have conflicting results in my ALK and CH readings. ALK shows a reading of 80 with the TF-Pro and 118 with the ColorQ. My CH shows a reading of 187 with the ColorQ and 400 with the TF-Pro. I know CH is not a really big deal with a vinyl pool, but there is quite a difference between test kits. ALK is in range with the TF-Pro, but high with the ColorQ. Just for background, The ColorQ test kit has brand new reagents and new batteries in the device.
To add to my confusion, my CYA readings have been above 100 all along. I have drained 60% of my pool and refilled with fresh water and have not been able to get it lower. On top of that, I have also applied 4 treatments of Bio-Active Cyanuric Acid Reducer. Each treatment is supposed to be for 25000-gallon pools! My tap water shows a CYA value of 7 with the ColorQ test kit. I realize I need to get CYA under control to get the chlorine in line, but I do not know what to do next! My pool water is crystal clear.
We are in an exceptional drought in southern Texas and draining the water is a last resort!! What's next?
I have been using a ColorQ test kit to get the chemistry in line and a digital saline meter but am now really confused! After reading the recommendations on test kits, I purchased a new TF-Pro Salt kit and received it today. I went through testing and do not understand. My saline meter tells me I have a salt content of 4100 ppm. However, the TF-Pro salt test shows me I have 2800 ppm, even after running the test 3 times to make sure! I also used some new test strips for salt, and they show content around 4000 ppm. I was getting ready to drain some more water to get the count to my target of 3500 ppm, but now I do not know if I should! That is problem 1!
I also have conflicting results in my ALK and CH readings. ALK shows a reading of 80 with the TF-Pro and 118 with the ColorQ. My CH shows a reading of 187 with the ColorQ and 400 with the TF-Pro. I know CH is not a really big deal with a vinyl pool, but there is quite a difference between test kits. ALK is in range with the TF-Pro, but high with the ColorQ. Just for background, The ColorQ test kit has brand new reagents and new batteries in the device.
To add to my confusion, my CYA readings have been above 100 all along. I have drained 60% of my pool and refilled with fresh water and have not been able to get it lower. On top of that, I have also applied 4 treatments of Bio-Active Cyanuric Acid Reducer. Each treatment is supposed to be for 25000-gallon pools! My tap water shows a CYA value of 7 with the ColorQ test kit. I realize I need to get CYA under control to get the chlorine in line, but I do not know what to do next! My pool water is crystal clear.
We are in an exceptional drought in southern Texas and draining the water is a last resort!! What's next?
