I got this test kit and a spidstir, however I did not use spidstir for this test. Just wanted to get this done as quickly as possible. Please let me know if my test results don't make sense and I need to redo it.
Here are my results:
K1000 blue box
Chlorine > 5 (off the chart. maybe 6 or more)
PH 7.6
Chlorine Drop test
FC 8
CC ~1.5 (I'll retest this later. just started raining)
TA
130-140
CH (I did this test twice)
620
550-570 if my pool contains cooper. (Not sure if my pool contains cooper or not. I guess I have to read up on that, but any help would be appriciated)
CYA
30-40
Is it safe to swim?
I've been testing my pool water at 3 different stores (same chain). 2 out of 3 stores have always had my CH level between 450-500. At the 3rd store it always ranges between 250-400, but never above 400, unless it's done by a new employee or an employee from another store. The manager at the 3rd store adds 1 or 2 solutions to the water, then checks the water for something and doesn't add the 2nd or the 3rd solution. He instructs all his employees to test this way. I'm not sure what he sees in the water after adding 1-2 solutions, metal or something, but I get worried when I get conflicting information like this. I even had the same water taken at the same time from the same spot tested within 30 minutes at different locations and would ALWAYS get different results. That's why I joined this site and got the test kit.
Please advise on what I need to do. The CH level at all stores jumps up and down. I was told that I need to drain almost 1/3 of my pool, but I didn't and 7-10 days later my CH level was down by 100 (at the same store\same guy). However, because of the sun and because of my stupidity (left running vacuum out of the pool for almost 2hr) I had to add about 10-15 inches of water over the period of 30 days.
I got these per store's advise -
Now that my CH levels are too high I'm advised to start using soda based shock. The one they sell is a lot more expensive then calcium based and I wonder if there are better alternatives. Stores want you to shock weekly, while I hear from others that you don't as long as you keep your water properly balanced. I need help!
I live in NE and it's been hot (I believe above 90s) for the last couple of weeks. My pool is about 23k gallons. Filter uses cartridges. I used to run it 8 now 10 hours at night.
Thanks!
Here are my results:
K1000 blue box
Chlorine > 5 (off the chart. maybe 6 or more)
PH 7.6
Chlorine Drop test
FC 8
CC ~1.5 (I'll retest this later. just started raining)
TA
130-140
CH (I did this test twice)
620
550-570 if my pool contains cooper. (Not sure if my pool contains cooper or not. I guess I have to read up on that, but any help would be appriciated)
CYA
30-40
Is it safe to swim?
I've been testing my pool water at 3 different stores (same chain). 2 out of 3 stores have always had my CH level between 450-500. At the 3rd store it always ranges between 250-400, but never above 400, unless it's done by a new employee or an employee from another store. The manager at the 3rd store adds 1 or 2 solutions to the water, then checks the water for something and doesn't add the 2nd or the 3rd solution. He instructs all his employees to test this way. I'm not sure what he sees in the water after adding 1-2 solutions, metal or something, but I get worried when I get conflicting information like this. I even had the same water taken at the same time from the same spot tested within 30 minutes at different locations and would ALWAYS get different results. That's why I joined this site and got the test kit.
Please advise on what I need to do. The CH level at all stores jumps up and down. I was told that I need to drain almost 1/3 of my pool, but I didn't and 7-10 days later my CH level was down by 100 (at the same store\same guy). However, because of the sun and because of my stupidity (left running vacuum out of the pool for almost 2hr) I had to add about 10-15 inches of water over the period of 30 days.
I got these per store's advise -
- Powder Pro shock (calcium based). I shock every sunday. [/*:m:17vb5116]
- 3" chlorine tabs. I have about 4-5 tabs in my floater now and I drilled 3-4 holes. maybe that's why my chlorine level is a bit high. Do I need to remove some tabs or use the floater with fewer (or adjustable) holes?[/*:m:17vb5116]
- In May I added 2 gallons of "instant pool water conditioner" because my water didn't hold chlorine ($35 a bottle. I didn't know I could get a cheaper, non-liquid version) [/*:m:17vb5116]
- In June I added gallon (half a gal, twice) of PhosFree because my phosphate level was between 300-700 (on the same day \ same water, just different stores)[/*:m:17vb5116]
- Fresh & Clear. Haven't used it yet. Not sure if I can use it instead of calcium based shock once in a while. [/*:m:17vb5116]
Now that my CH levels are too high I'm advised to start using soda based shock. The one they sell is a lot more expensive then calcium based and I wonder if there are better alternatives. Stores want you to shock weekly, while I hear from others that you don't as long as you keep your water properly balanced. I need help!
I live in NE and it's been hot (I believe above 90s) for the last couple of weeks. My pool is about 23k gallons. Filter uses cartridges. I used to run it 8 now 10 hours at night.
Thanks!