Hello all! I posted some of my pool owner history in the just getting started section and my desire to convert from Baquacil to chlorine. Looking through the topics, I think this is where I need to be, right?
The TF-100XL test kit I ordered from the web on Saturday should arrive on Wednesday. In the meantime I took a water sample into the pool store to test for residual Baqua levels from last summer. I'm not sure how to relate some of these numbers to the ones everyone seems to be using here, so a little help if you can?
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first numbers =current second numbers=ideal
Saturation Indx: -0.4 -.3 -+.3
TDS not tested <2500
Softswim B 6 30-50 (sanitizer)
Softswim C 2 20 (oxidizer/clarifier)
ph 7.1 7.4-7.8
Tot Alkalinity 95 blank
Adjusted Alkalinity 95 125-150
Tot Hardness 302 200-275
Optimizer Plus not tested 30-35
Copper 0.2 0
Iron not tested 0
Manganese no no
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Is total hardness the same as calcium hardness? If so, I'm a bit suprised as every year the calcium hardness level has to be increased. The pool store tests my water through the start up process until things get under control, so I follow their directions.
We fill with well water, so as a rule the ph starts off high. This test shows it low and that's never occured before. I topped up the pool before this test. The only chemical added so far this season was a 16 0z bottle of Baquacil flocculent which I've used in the past to clear the water so all from bottom would vacuum to waste. I added this with the water still at its winter level. It had no effect. After getting the water tested today, I vaccumed to waste. The bottom is less muddy now than in the photo. I plan to vacuum to waste again on Monday night.
I purchased two cases of liquid chlorine shock last week and plan to redo the above test on Tuesday to discover the residual Baquacil content before adding any of the chlorine. Since I've vacuumed to waste once and will again, there will be fresh water and most of the muck gone and less algae to deal with. Hopefully my test kit will be here on Wednesday so I'll have a better idea of where things are at. And I need to study the pool calculator more. I looked at it but some of the numbers didn't change when I entered things while playing with it.
Will keep you posted on progress and really, I'm hoping it won't take as much chlorine to get it clear as some have had to use. Test kit, new cartridge filters, two cases of shock, flocculent, and I'm close to $200.00 already with still a green pool. ARGH!
The TF-100XL test kit I ordered from the web on Saturday should arrive on Wednesday. In the meantime I took a water sample into the pool store to test for residual Baqua levels from last summer. I'm not sure how to relate some of these numbers to the ones everyone seems to be using here, so a little help if you can?
___________________________________________________
first numbers =current second numbers=ideal
Saturation Indx: -0.4 -.3 -+.3
TDS not tested <2500
Softswim B 6 30-50 (sanitizer)
Softswim C 2 20 (oxidizer/clarifier)
ph 7.1 7.4-7.8
Tot Alkalinity 95 blank
Adjusted Alkalinity 95 125-150
Tot Hardness 302 200-275
Optimizer Plus not tested 30-35
Copper 0.2 0
Iron not tested 0
Manganese no no
____________________________________________
Is total hardness the same as calcium hardness? If so, I'm a bit suprised as every year the calcium hardness level has to be increased. The pool store tests my water through the start up process until things get under control, so I follow their directions.
We fill with well water, so as a rule the ph starts off high. This test shows it low and that's never occured before. I topped up the pool before this test. The only chemical added so far this season was a 16 0z bottle of Baquacil flocculent which I've used in the past to clear the water so all from bottom would vacuum to waste. I added this with the water still at its winter level. It had no effect. After getting the water tested today, I vaccumed to waste. The bottom is less muddy now than in the photo. I plan to vacuum to waste again on Monday night.
I purchased two cases of liquid chlorine shock last week and plan to redo the above test on Tuesday to discover the residual Baquacil content before adding any of the chlorine. Since I've vacuumed to waste once and will again, there will be fresh water and most of the muck gone and less algae to deal with. Hopefully my test kit will be here on Wednesday so I'll have a better idea of where things are at. And I need to study the pool calculator more. I looked at it but some of the numbers didn't change when I entered things while playing with it.
Will keep you posted on progress and really, I'm hoping it won't take as much chlorine to get it clear as some have had to use. Test kit, new cartridge filters, two cases of shock, flocculent, and I'm close to $200.00 already with still a green pool. ARGH!