CYA Question

[BillB]

I started last weekend trying to balance my pool after years of neglect.

Here are my present readings, for what it's worth:

FC 11
pH 7.1
TA 80
CYA 20
CH 1,100 - Yes I know it's a problem.

This post is about the CYA.
I started with 0 CYA according to my local pool store's test.
I added 4 lb of HTH Stabilizer and Conditioner, Sunday before last. It was dissolved by last Tuesday or Wednesday.
This past weekend it measured 20.
Today it still measures 20.
4 lbs should have brought it up to near 50 by today.

Should I add more? I don't want to fooled by a delayed reaction and wind up with too much.

I was really careful with the black dot test. It's a little subjective, but my wife and I both tested it and came to the same result.

 

[linen]

I wouldn't add anymore yet. I agree, if your pool is 10000 gallons (how certain are you?) then 4 lbs should have raised it close to 50 ppm. How did you add the cya?

 

[ping]

How did you add the CYA to the pool? Are you measuring it in bright sun with your back to the sun and holding the tube around waist level?

 

[BillB]

I'm certain the pool is 10,000 gal. +- 200 gal.

I put the CYA in a sock and put it in the skimmer.

I did the test in the shade on my patio. My face was to a cloudy sky. I held it at waist level.

I still have the solution. I'll go do it again with my back to the Sun.

 

[linen]

Have you cleaned the filter since adding it?

Like ping said, redo the test with the sun out but at your back.

 

[BillB]

No. I haven't cleaned the filter. It needs cleaning but I have purposely avoided doing it until the CYA had a chance to show up.

 

[linen]

Good, just checking to make sure you haven't lost any that way. Do you have an autofill? If you do it could be hiding a leak and that could be diluting your cya.

 

[BillB]

I'm the autofill. I add about 3/4" a day or more. This is a hot Texas Sun and there is a lot of evaporation. There may be a small leak, but I am not aware of it.

 

[jblizzle]

Your solution may be too old by now to re-look at it. Only good for 10-15 minutes I think after you mix it.

If you do it again, realize you can pour it back and forth a few times to see if you keep getting the same result.

 

[BillB]

I'll wait until tomorrow with a full Sun to retest it- new solution.

 

[Seanhan]

You can also use instant conditioner , its kinda expensive ..but 1 gallon will raise mine exactly 10 points.
And you can see the results on your CYA test in about a hour.

 

[BillB]

Thanks- I might try that.
I would need about a quart to bump mine up 10 points.
I think 1/2 gallon is about $14.
If mine hangs in at 20, I'll buy some.

 

[Seanhan]

Also the instant conditioner does not mess up your PH.