Holding good chlorine numbers, around 4 to 5 ppm currently and I just backed the swg off a tad to get a more consistent 3 to 4 ppm. Currently, the pumps are running 20 hours a day. I was hoping to get the CYA up to help me with that some.
Now, I added 12 pounds of CYA granules last tuesday to the skimmer. As of today, there's no real noticeable increase on the test strips. Before I added, it showed to be from 0 to the 20/30 mark (hard to tell exactly) and it's showing somewhere in the 30/40 range right now. Granted, the strips are vague but there's a definite color difference from 0 to 30 and from 30 to 100. According to the calc.; from 30, the 12 pounds should've taken me to 75 or 80 and that would be a noticeable color change. I did have to drain a few inches this past saturday but I just expected more. And of course, no backwashing was performed.
On the matter of PH, I'm currently having to add a gallon every couple days to keep it somewhat in check. It was 7.8 on Friday and I added a gallon and left for the weekend. Got back Sunday afternoon and checked it, it was right there in the 7.8 range. Today, I added another gallon. Does this seem a little much or with the new plaster/constant spa waterfall/SWG or will this be life for awhile? I opened up the main drain to the spa to try and pull water back that way to keep it from falling over so much but it still built up and started pouring over, so I'll have to live with that aeration I guess.
According to the strips, my alkalinity is in the 120 range.
In regards to testing, Alan from askalanaquestion.com assured me that my ColorQ would be shipping very very shortly like any second now. It has to come from Lamotte directly. And, I've tried every pool store within 20 miles and they're either more AquaChek test strips or some OTO 2 part tests, which I have and will check the chlorine and PH with this afternoon.
Now, I added 12 pounds of CYA granules last tuesday to the skimmer. As of today, there's no real noticeable increase on the test strips. Before I added, it showed to be from 0 to the 20/30 mark (hard to tell exactly) and it's showing somewhere in the 30/40 range right now. Granted, the strips are vague but there's a definite color difference from 0 to 30 and from 30 to 100. According to the calc.; from 30, the 12 pounds should've taken me to 75 or 80 and that would be a noticeable color change. I did have to drain a few inches this past saturday but I just expected more. And of course, no backwashing was performed.
On the matter of PH, I'm currently having to add a gallon every couple days to keep it somewhat in check. It was 7.8 on Friday and I added a gallon and left for the weekend. Got back Sunday afternoon and checked it, it was right there in the 7.8 range. Today, I added another gallon. Does this seem a little much or with the new plaster/constant spa waterfall/SWG or will this be life for awhile? I opened up the main drain to the spa to try and pull water back that way to keep it from falling over so much but it still built up and started pouring over, so I'll have to live with that aeration I guess.
According to the strips, my alkalinity is in the 120 range.
In regards to testing, Alan from askalanaquestion.com assured me that my ColorQ would be shipping very very shortly like any second now. It has to come from Lamotte directly. And, I've tried every pool store within 20 miles and they're either more AquaChek test strips or some OTO 2 part tests, which I have and will check the chlorine and PH with this afternoon.