using fas-dpd for first time is this ok?

[rastoma]

Using the fas-dpd and CYA test from tftestkits and PH and Alk from another kit, I get:

FC = 2.5
CC = 0
CYA = 45
ALK = 90
PH = 7.6 (non tftestkit, reading color chart it's 7.6 to 7.8 at the most).

I could not get the full tftestkit right now so I bought the tests and used the instructions from their website. So once I got a FC of 2.5 (5 drops), I added 5 drops of R-0003 (swirling between drops) and there was no color change. So I take that to mean there are 0 CC's?

 

[JasonLion]

Yes, that all sounds correct.

With a CYA of 45 you want to maintain an FC level of at least 4 at all times.

 

[rastoma]

To be 100% sure, I only need to shock if I ever get CC's?

Or will I ever need to shock if CC=0?

 

[gsmornot]

You will only need to worry about shock if your water looks cloudy or measures .5ppm or more. With CC of 0 there is no need but to maintain proper chlorine level.

 

[rastoma]

Ok, thanks for the replies.

Just needing to make sure the pool is perfect for the weekend.

If CC is 0 does that mean chlorine shouldn't fall at night?

I know a check in the evening and the next morning is the way to check that, but just wanting to understand more of the background processes.

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

No. A 0 CC reading is good but doesn't have any bearing on whether the chlorine will drop at night. Hopefully yours held?

So you got 2.5, and you should have at least 4 at all times (as Jason advised). You should have added enough bleach to reach 6 or 7, which should keep you above 4 until the next night when you test again. Make sense?

 

[reebok]

you shouldn't lose more than 1ppm of fc overnight. have you read pool school? it will help you understand things as a whole a lot better.

 

[rastoma]

yes I've read the pool school, but when you actually get your hands on something for the first time it still gets a little confusing. i've been testing since day one but not with fas-dpd so just a little different process than I been using.

I didn't add any more bleach last night since it was dark, but this morning at around 7am it took 5 drops to turn clear so it held at 2.5 all night. I then bumped it up afterwards.

Btw, will the amount of fas-dpd crystals affect the accuracy of the test? The instructions say a heaping scoop of crystals (using the blue scoop)... but a heaping scoop is not very precise. The scoop is so small it doesn't seem possible to have a rounded scoop full but a heaping pile that covers the flat area of the scoop too. So how 'off' will a test be if the 'heaping' scoop is a little more than intended?

 

[mdhwoods]

yes I've read the pool school, but when you actually get your hands on something for the first time it still gets a little confusing. i've been testing since day one but not with fas-dpd so just a little different process than I been using.

I didn't add any more bleach last night since it was dark, but this morning at around 7am it took 5 drops to turn clear so it held at 2.5 all night. I then bumped it up afterwards.

Btw, will the amount of fas-dpd crystals affect the accuracy of the test? The instructions say a heaping scoop of crystals (using the blue scoop)... but a heaping scoop is not very precise. The scoop is so small it doesn't seem possible to have a rounded scoop full but a heaping pile that covers the flat area of the scoop too. So how 'off' will a test be if the 'heaping' scoop is a little more than intended?

I believe as long as it turns red and stays red you are fine. I do not believe it has much effect as long as it is red.

 

[JasonLion]

mdhwoods is correct. Extra powder, within reason, is fine.