Howdy Folks,
Thanks for a marvelous forum! I’ve learned more about water chemistry in the last 2 weeks than in a lifetime of messing around with pools and spas. The wealth of knowledge here along with my new TF100 test kit (thanks, Dave) has finally allowed me to see exactly what’s happening and why I’ve had various problems over the years. I am the very definition of “pool stored.†It’s rather embarrassing actually …
Here’s my first set of numbers:
FC = 17 (had just done the superchlorinate thing with the SWG)
CC = 0
PH = 7.8
CYA = 100+ (black dot disappears completely before it gets to the 100 line)
TA = 200
CH = 30 (this area is known for soft water and high alk)
I shocked it because the steps and liner began to feel a little slimy. After 2 days at FC = 17, the slime is gone and FC holds steady over night.
Next I went to work on the CYA. I would have to say that understanding the relationship between CYA and the level of disinfecting chlorine is probably the single most liberating bit of knowledge a pool person can have.
I replaced about 12â€of water over the weekend and then I began working on lowering the TA:
FC = 11
CC = 0
PH = 7.2
CYA = 80
TA = 170
CH = 30
I have 2 questions please:
1. Should I do anything about the low CH?
2. What should I do when the Nature2 cartridge expires in the DuoClear? Can I just forget about it or does it need to be removed and the housing capped off in some way? I can probably make a cap from the old cartridge.
Thanks again. This is actually fun now that I understand a little bit about what’s going on.
Thanks for a marvelous forum! I’ve learned more about water chemistry in the last 2 weeks than in a lifetime of messing around with pools and spas. The wealth of knowledge here along with my new TF100 test kit (thanks, Dave) has finally allowed me to see exactly what’s happening and why I’ve had various problems over the years. I am the very definition of “pool stored.†It’s rather embarrassing actually …
Here’s my first set of numbers:
FC = 17 (had just done the superchlorinate thing with the SWG)
CC = 0
PH = 7.8
CYA = 100+ (black dot disappears completely before it gets to the 100 line)
TA = 200
CH = 30 (this area is known for soft water and high alk)
I shocked it because the steps and liner began to feel a little slimy. After 2 days at FC = 17, the slime is gone and FC holds steady over night.
Next I went to work on the CYA. I would have to say that understanding the relationship between CYA and the level of disinfecting chlorine is probably the single most liberating bit of knowledge a pool person can have.
I replaced about 12â€of water over the weekend and then I began working on lowering the TA:
FC = 11
CC = 0
PH = 7.2
CYA = 80
TA = 170
CH = 30
I have 2 questions please:
1. Should I do anything about the low CH?
2. What should I do when the Nature2 cartridge expires in the DuoClear? Can I just forget about it or does it need to be removed and the housing capped off in some way? I can probably make a cap from the old cartridge.
Thanks again. This is actually fun now that I understand a little bit about what’s going on.
It does feel really good not to get 'pool stored' doesn't it! 
