is this blue?

[Oceansol]

Ran my first TF100 test today. I've always suspected that my CH is high. The image shows my CH test with 32 drops of R-0012. Is that blue? It wouldn't get any bluer and would put my CH at 800.

Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

No. The end result is more blue than violet.

It is nearly impossible to do a CH test at high levels without the Speedstir.

I suspect your CH is north of 1000 ppm.

 

[Texas Splash]

Ooooh. Yeah, what Marty said. Good 'ol hard water. I made the color mistake for a while early on. It looks more of a baby-blue color once complete. Give it a few more drops.

I love my speedstir.

 

[Oceansol]

Sounds like its past time to drain and refill. Do you agree?

 

[mknauss]

Most likely. Do you have scale build up at the waterline?

 

[Oceansol]

Yes, and my cell needs cleaning monthly. We have pretty hard water

 

[mknauss]

You need to monitor CSI. I have never had to clean my SWCG.

Fill water here is 250 ppm CH and 130 ppm TA. My CH hits 800 ppm in just under 16 months.

 

[Oceansol]

My CSI is 1.09.

Fill water:
CH 250ppm
TA 110 ppm

I haven't changed the water in 4 or 5 years, seems like a fresh start is in order

 

[mknauss]

You may want to consider getting the waterline tile cleaned before draining. Look for a service using Kieserite blasting.

 

[Oceansol]

OK. Is there any time of year better or worse to drain and fill?

 

[mknauss]

Some depends on your water supplier. Do you get charged sewer fees based on water use? Check into that. Otherwise, now is a great time.

How old is the plaster? Be aware when you drain a pool with old plaster there is always a chance of plaster de-lamination in spots.

 

[an1vrsy]

Hi Oceansol, Although I’m north from your location in south Orange County, when I drained and refilled my pool in July, I called the water company to give them a heads up. In this way, if there were any restrictions, the phone rep could/would have told me. There wasn’t any restrictions.

Another thing, when you fill, check your water meter when you start and when complete. You’ll have a pretty accurate way of your determining your pool water volume. Good luck. The TFP way is the only way to go.

 

[Oceansol]

Some depends on your water supplier. Do you get charged sewer fees based on water use? Check into that. Otherwise, now is a great time.

How old is the plaster? Be aware when you drain a pool with old plaster there is always a chance of plaster de-lamination in spots.

Yes, water and sewer are together, but we never worried about it when we drained it before. We didn't even see a change in our bill.

The plaster (and the pool) are 10 years old and looks in great shape. When I did it before I started filling it as soon as it was drained. Seems like now when it's cool would be best.

- - - Updated - - -

Hi Oceansol, Although I’m north from your location in south Orange County, when I drained and refilled my pool in July, I called the water company to give them a heads up. In this way, if there were any restrictions, the phone rep could/would have told me. There wasn’t any restrictions.

Another thing, when you fill, check your water meter when you start and when complete. You’ll have a pretty accurate way of your determining your pool water volume. Good luck. The TFP way is the only way to go.

Great tips, thanks!

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Being that you're an a hard water area, when your CH inches up you can help dilute it down a bit again by harnessing any rain water you're expecting. Just drop the pool level an inch or so and let the rain re-fill it. This over time along with monitoring your pH/CSI numbers can help thwart scale problems.

Maddie

 

[JamesW]

The sample may turn purple during the test, or go to blue for a moment and then turn back to red/pink. This is called a "fading endpoint" and is caused by interference from metal ions. If this happens, do the test again, but this time add five drops of R-0012 before adding any R-0010 or R-0011L. Remember to count the initial five drops in the total.
In extreme cases, a fading endpoint may occur even when adding five drops of R-0012 at the start. If that happens, mix pool water with an equal quantity of distilled water, test that, and then multiply the result by two.

Extended Test Kit Directions

Try to get your CSI down to 0 as soon as possible. I would suggest a sequestrant to help control scale and metals.

 

[Oceansol]

Extended Test Kit Directions

Try to get your CSI down to 0 as soon as possible. I would suggest a sequestrant to help control scale and metals.

Can you tell me more about the sequestrant? What is it by brand, and where do i get it?

If i drain and refil this week, is it necessary?

Thank you!

 

[mknauss]

No sequestrant is needed for metals. Your area does not have any in the water. If you are draining then none for scale is needed either. Scale sequestrant is a consumable item (have to add constantly) and just hides an issue you can manage with proper chemistry.

 

[JamesW]

If you're going to drain and refill, you don't need the sequestrant.

A sequestrant is a product that combines with metals and calcium to keep them in solution. Example:

http://jacksmagic.com/product/salt-solution-the-purple-stuff/

If you don't have metals, then you don't need the sequestrant.

Calcium can be managed by keeping the CSI between -0.3 and 0.0.

Be careful about draining the pool. If the ground water is high, the pool can float out of the ground.

 

[Oceansol]

No sequestrant is needed for metals. Your area does not have any in the water. If you are draining then none for scale is needed either. Scale sequestrant is a consumable item (have to add constantly) and just hides an issue you can manage with proper chemistry.

That's what I figured. We will drain and refil this coming weekend. I'll rent a pump at home depot and will immediately refil.

Can I use Pool Math to calculate how many bags of salt, and how much CYA I need to add?

 

[jgofnj]

Shouldn't that be filled to 25 ml? That could be the problem.