2 months in on my own check

[jmckee22]

Hey guys! I need a quick check and maybe some insights. I took over my saltwater pool in July. Southeast US with a Shade over our pool so only parts of it get direct sunlight. When I took it over it was:
3100 salt
Low calcium
3 FC
0 CYA
8.0 pH
120 TA
SWG set on 75% running 9 hours during the day

Its currently:
3100 salt
330 calcium
9 FC
35 CYA
8.0 pH (this has been a never ending battle and I’ve added over 2 gallons of MA)
70 TA
SWG set on 35% but I just lowered to 25% an hour ago

Is the pH a battle because of the chlorine to CYA ratio? I’m afraid if I add more MA my
TA will fall too low. Am I thinking correctly? I have CYA and MA on hand if I need to add something.

 

[TinFoilHat]

First of all, you need to begin doing your own testing with a Taylor T2006C or a TF Testkits TF100 or TF100Pro (recommended.) Maybe you are but you are but your CYA reading of 35 leads me to believe that is a pool store test which is unreliable. Don't let the pool store testing sway you at all. Your FC is decent if your SWG can hold it there. The SWG is for maintenance so if you needed to bring the FC up quickly then liquid chlorine is for that. The PH can be kept at 7.8-8.0 if that is easier to maintain.

 

[jmckee22]

Hey thanks for the response. I should have specified - I bought the Taylor kit and have been using it since July. The 35 is a guesstimate because the dot test isn’t exact for me.
I feel like I still will need to add MA at times to control the pH though and won’t that also bring my TA down to a below acceptable level?

 

[TinFoilHat]

I wouldn't fret the TA; mine is holding at 50. Your CYA is about where mine is and I call mine 30 which might still be high. I add 1/2 gal of liquid chlorine each day to stay about 7 and add 1 pint of acid a couple times per week. When it cools down I will drain my pool to get rid of my 900CH and refill to start all over again. This time I'm going to tap the soft water in my kitchen to try keeping the CH down so I have a manageable CSI which I've never had with tap water (my tap is 150 so I'm adding CH every day.) Because of the CH I've always had calcium on my cell plates. To help us all out when you post, please add your pool and equipment to your signature as well as your test kit.