New Pool Owner With First Time Test Results

[chuckp]

Hi Folks,

First off, this is an extremely helpful site since I was going to buy a book, or two, or three to try to get up to speed.

As a precursor to posting my test results, I have been using those test strips daily for about a week.
When free chlorine was low, I'd add a gallon or two of bleach.
TA was low once and I added 1/2 box of Bromax.
PH was low a few times and I've added several boxes of baking soda.

Anyhow, here are my results using the TF-100:
FC = 2;
CC = 0;
Calcium Hardness = 400;
TA = 140;
CYA = 50;

Not quite sure what to do with these numbers so I'd appreciate any feedback.

Kind regards,
ChuckP

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!

You need to raise the FC asap. Check out the chart in the handy reference area of Pool School.

Also you got your chemicals mixed up. Borax raises pH, baking soda raises TA.

 

[Richard320]

Hi Folks,

First off, this is an extremely helpful site since I was going to buy a book, or two, or three to try to get up to speed.

As a precursor to posting my test results, I have been using those test strips daily for about a week.
When free chlorine was low, I'd add a gallon or two of bleach.
TA was low once and I added 1/2 box of Bromax.
PH was low a few times and I've added several boxes of baking soda.

Anyhow, here are my results using the TF-100:
FC = 2;
CC = 0;
Calcium Hardness = 400;
TA = 140;
CYA = 50;

Not quite sure what to do with these numbers so I'd appreciate any feedback.

Kind regards,
ChuckP

The FC needs to come up to correlate with that 50 CYA. Target 7, so it doesn;t dip below 4 before you can dose it again.

What is the pH?

 

[chuckp]

pH was slightly above 7.2.

 

[Richard320]

Well, that's easy, huh? Dump some bleach in the pool and call it good!

 

[chuckp]

That's exactly what I just did Richard. I just don't know how much to add. After adding a gallon, how long shall I wait before testing again to determine if more needs to be added?

Thanks.

 

[jblizzle]

You need to use PoolMath to calculate your dosages. You can retest or swim after 30 minutes.

 

[undrpressure23]

Need to do some homework and read Pool school "SLAM- Shock Level and Maintain" (start here to get a rough idea what your getting into) , and get a TF-100 test kit from TFtestkits.net...... Just a little bit of reading and understanding the theory will help you develope quick results for a clear and algae free pool. Get away from test strips for chlorine testing FAS/DPD is the way to go.

Then take you results, plug and chug in the "Poolmath"

Adjust your FC as directed by the CYA : FC figures provided (i.e. CYA = 60.... Normal FC level =5 to 9 ppm Shock Level = 24).

Hope this helps, and everyone here is great for help! :super:

 

[jblizzle]

We recommend PoolMath and not the pool calculator mentioned above.

 

[undrpressure23]

We recommend PoolMath and not the pool calculator mentioned above.

Yes he is correct, the link provided is "PoolMath" post has been edited.