Test results have me worried

[kix1979]

FC - 9
CC - 1
TC - 10
pH - 7.2
TA - 140/150
CH - 650!
CYA - Way over 100...
Temp - 58

I started by replacing a lot of the water, but it seems it was not enough to get the CYA under control, so tomorrow I will almost empty the pool to try and get the CYA back to around 30/40. My concern is the CH, it's around 650 and the water here from the city is horribly hard. How can I get that back under control?

Thomas

 

[gordiec]

Instead of emptying the pool, you might consider doing two or three partial drains. It would be easier on the liner (if you have one) and safer if you have a gunite or fiberglass pool.

 

[kix1979]

It's a plaster pool, and it should be fine. We've had to drain it once or twice before when we renovated the pool area. The part that has me really worried is I did a 1/2 replacement today and the CH is still 650, is there an easy way to lower that?

 

[Guest]

Where are you located?

 

[Bama Rambler]

Given that the fill water is high in CH. If you're located in a part of the country where R/O (reverse osmosis) is available that may actually be a better alternative to draining. Even with draining and refilling you're still going to start off with water that's high in CH.

 

[susa]

when I filled up my last 2 times, I rented large tanks (their appearance are similar to large acetylene welding tanks or large scuba tanks) that contain a special filtering material. the municipal water was sent via the tanks into pool and came out absolutely mineral free. all local pool builders recommend this service

 

[carlscan26]

Those sound like industrial/commercial water softener tanks - they regenerate them at a central facility and then deliver and replace them.

 

[susa]

the cost of the rental over the weekend of filling up was 100, which I considered quite reasonable as it gave me assurance that I had no issues upon startup. the only thing I did was liquid bleach and slowly adjusting pH for the first couple weeks, followed by alkalinity and cyanuric acid. the CYA was not in range until 2 months later (50-60 ppm) which was fine.

 

[kix1979]

Not sure where I would find someone to reverse osmosis the pool. I did about 70% drain and I'm now @:
FC - 1
TC - 1
pH - 7.2
TA -140
CH - 450
CYA - 100
Temp - 68

I've still got about 2k gallons left to fill but I think other then the CH being high I'm going to be alright. Plan on using liquid chlorine going forward so I never get that high of a CYA ever again.

 

[Bama Rambler]

I'm afraid that your CYA is still gonna be very high. It will be manageable unless you have an algae outbreak and then your best bet is to drain until you get it lower.

 

[dmanb2b]

Hey Thomas...not sure if I missed it, but how are you testing CYA? TF100 or Tayl K2006? If so, have you tried diluting the sample with 50% tap water? than will give you a ballpark of where your CYA level is, unless it's still over 200 ?

Also, you should test the CH on your fill water. If your fill water is high in CH, you'll only be solving the CYA issue.

 

[PaulR]

googling "reverse osmosis texas pool" turned up www.aquatiquepoolcare.com with an address in Lakeview TX. Now you know as much as I do about them.
--paulr

 

[kix1979]

dman - I'm using the TF100 kit that I ordered from here It doesn't mention anything around tap water.
Paulr - Thanks ;-) I guess I should have been more specific in my comment. "Does anyone recommend any companies around Austin that does RO?" :-D

 

[Guest]

There isn't anybody available for R/O in Austin... Yet!

 

[dmanb2b]

dman - I'm using the TF100 kit that I ordered from here It doesn't mention anything around tap water.

Wow...the best test kit ever!

Sorry I should have been more specific. When CYA is over 100, you can can still measure levels over 100ppm by diluting your pool water sample with regular old tap water. Simply use equal amounts of pool water and tap water to create a diluted sample, then carry out the CYA test using R-0013 as you would normaly and multiply your result by 2. Said differently, instead of pouring a 50/50 mixture of pool water and R-0013 in the view tube you would add a mix of 25% pool water, 25% tap water and 50% R-0013, then multply the test result by 2.

The fact that you drained 70% of your water, yet CYA is still over 100 would mean your starting CYA was at least over 200. It would be nice to know how much more you have to go

 

[eline65]

dman - I'm using the TF100 kit that I ordered from here It doesn't mention anything around tap water.
Paulr - Thanks ;-) I guess I should have been more specific in my comment. "Does anyone recommend any companies around Austin that does RO?" :-D

Looks like a start up opportunity!