Hi all,
Set up an Intex pool this weekend and have some strange results. I've read and re-read the Getting Started sections, ABC's, Pool Chemistry, Recommended chemicals, etc. Let me start off by saying I'm using an HDX 5-way test kit. It's all I have at the moment while I wait for my TF-100 to ship. Here's what I've done so far:
Began filling Friday night with our well water. I have both a rust filter and softener, each w/ ~ 1,000 gal capacity so I stopped filling 4 times to regenerate both and used my treated hose bibb. I filled with warm water and finished filling yesterday afternoon. Water was 88 degrees and crystal clear.
If the readings above are accurate what is my next step? Do I bring my Cl level up first or my TA down? While FC is low, TA is off the charts. I've read the Lower TA page. It says to lower pH to 7.0 - 7.2, but I'm not entirely sure how much acid to add, how long to wait, etc. PoolMath pH section says the pH calculations are based on both TA and Borate results. I don't know what the Borate test is or how to take it, so I currently have the Now and Target values at zero. I'm hoping to get some idea of how much acid to add.
Thanks!
Set up an Intex pool this weekend and have some strange results. I've read and re-read the Getting Started sections, ABC's, Pool Chemistry, Recommended chemicals, etc. Let me start off by saying I'm using an HDX 5-way test kit. It's all I have at the moment while I wait for my TF-100 to ship. Here's what I've done so far:
Began filling Friday night with our well water. I have both a rust filter and softener, each w/ ~ 1,000 gal capacity so I stopped filling 4 times to regenerate both and used my treated hose bibb. I filled with warm water and finished filling yesterday afternoon. Water was 88 degrees and crystal clear.
- TA was 540! My initial pH was 7.2 so I didn't do anything to adjust it. Knowing I had zero Cl I began by adding 1 lb. of CA granules. I broadcast the CA, which immediately settled across the floor. I used PoolMath to add 26 oz. of 7.86% bleach. Poured slowly in front of the inlet (not suction) and about 30 seconds after I finished pouring the bleach the water turned
greenbrown as it circulated back out the inlet. That was mid-afternoon. I bought a brush and used it to stir up the CA on the floor last night and all the granules had dissolved to the point that they suspended instead of settling. I left everything alone to let the pump circulate overnight. - Still
greenbrown this morning. Most of my readings seem to be fairly close to targets with the exception of TA. Here are my readings:
- FC: 1.1 (as best I can tell from my HDX)
- Combined Cl: same as FC
- Br: 2.2
- pH: 7.4
- Acid demand: none (this is kind of an ambiguous test reading with the HDX, so I don't have a lot of confidence in the accuracy)
- TA: Again @ 540!
If the readings above are accurate what is my next step? Do I bring my Cl level up first or my TA down? While FC is low, TA is off the charts. I've read the Lower TA page. It says to lower pH to 7.0 - 7.2, but I'm not entirely sure how much acid to add, how long to wait, etc. PoolMath pH section says the pH calculations are based on both TA and Borate results. I don't know what the Borate test is or how to take it, so I currently have the Now and Target values at zero. I'm hoping to get some idea of how much acid to add.
Thanks!
Last edited: