a Newbie needing help!

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Ecoke

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Bronze Supporter
May 18, 2017
108
Ocala, FL (Central FL)
I think I've covered posting all the needed info in my signature. I've been lurking a few days...reading lots and learning. You folks are amazing and the knowledge is incredible. I will try to keep this short.

I purchased a Taylor K2006 FAS-DPD 2 summers ago...then hit the road for work..haven't been around much and never used the test kit. The better half has been the local chemist...using Pinch a Penny or Leslie's as testing source and Calcium Hypochlorite 73% chlorine as is easier then her lugging heavy jugs. I am NOT shooting daggers at the Pool stores, It just seems that every time I go in for a test I need a dump truck to back up to fill up with chemicals and a direct line to my debit card.

Now that I am home a bit more I decided was past time to learn how to use test kit and make this more manageable...at least that is my hope. I have watched Youtube videos on test kit use, read threads here, hit the new users areas etc, read the Taylor manual...I looked at reagent bottles most are 6 months past expiration. They have been kept in the case in a cabinet in my garage (Hot & Humid Florida) I looked at visual indications of reagents going bad, staining bottles etc...doesn't appear to be an issue..my DPD powder is a year past expiration..it was a bit clumpy and is a grayish with a darker black ring up near the lid. I am assuming I need to replace it before trying to get accurate results and will do so. I will try to use reagents unless you tell me otherwise.

Here is my first question of many to come. I followed guidelines for taking proper samples. I filled 2 bottles, one after another from the same spot in the pool. I headed 10 minutes later to pool store. Wanted to figure out what is going on. I am not complaining about the stores, I'm just trying to understand this as a newbie.

Here is the results from Pinch-A-Penney and then drove 15 minutes to Leslie's:

PAP FC = 5 Leslie's FC = 10
Neither did combined
PH = both had 7.6
Calcium Hardness: PAP 425 Leslie's 280
Cyanuric Acid: PAP n/a Leslie's 140
PAP lists Stabilizer as 100 I guess that is the same as Cyanuric Acid
TA PAP 125 Leslie's 80

Here is what was recommended:

PAP recommended adding 1 qt of muriatic acid.

Leslie's drain several feet of water from the pool and refill. Add 1lb 12 oz of dechlorinating agent.

Being a newbie...these numbers seem as though they should be closer to one another...am I correct? Samples taken at the same time & place and tested within 20 minutes of one another. Why is FC double the value in one test? This is the main reason for my post until I can start doing my own testing. I just don't understand the numbers being so different...who to believe???

The pool looks cloudy cannot see the main drain. I brushed walls and floors yesterday and again today..had a bit of algae on them. I shocked it yesterday ...pump has been running since yesterday morning. I did stop it and clean the cartridge about 2 hours ago...had a bit of green on it..has been worse.

Thanks in advance for your help..trying to start learning this and do a better job with less swings.
 
Welcome to TFP! I bet that you already know what I'm going to say, right? Stop using the pool store! Just looking at those numbers makes me want to hurl...Use the Taylor Kit! You really need the full kit if you don't already have the K2006. I prefer the TF-100, but the K2006 is good as well. The only thing you will need is bleach and 20 Baume Muriatic acid to start. We can balance the other stuff later. If you have the K2006 please post a full battery of test. If not, go ahead and order a TF-100 or K2006. I also recommend a Speed Stir. You will most certainly need to SLAM that pool and I think your CYA may be high. If your CYA is high you will need to drain some water and replace with fresh water. For the time being keep brushing and vacuuming the pool and add 1/2 - 1 gallon of bleach per day until you get the FULL test kit.

Oh, read and reread Pool School and look over the SLAM procedure.
 
Please take this with a grain of salt as I'm quite the newb myself, but I would go with Leslie's suggestion. That CYA level is very high, and my understanding is the only way to really solve it is to drain and add fresh water.

As far as the chlorine levels being different, it's probably that one of the employees at the pool store doesn't exactly know what they're doing. I have a Leslie's near me and I use their testing for things that my own test kit doesn't show. I find that with certain employees they'll have chlorine readings that match my own FAS-DPD kit readings (or are within 1ppm) But once or twice I get someone who I saw was just loosing count of the drops and made up for it by estimating. I didn't say anything at the time, but was keeping count myself so knew where it should be.
 
Don't believe either, believe your own numbers from your K2006. Pool store tests are notoriously inaccurate.

The K2006 reagents have a long shelf life, but less so in a hot garage. I'd invest in a new kit (or reagent refills). The price is very low compared to what bad pool store info will cost you.

You need to ditch the pool store and solid chlorine, and do a SLAM with liquid chlorine (bleach). If your CYA (stabilizer) level is indeed 100+, you'll need to replace some water before you SLAM.

SLAM instructions can be found here: Pool School - SLAM - Shock Level And Maintain

Read through and come back with any questions :) - we will be able to help further with a reliable set of test results from your own test kit.
 
Wow...you folks are FAST!

Ok...So I will order replacement reagents today. What a shame as I never cracked a lid until today after 2 yrs. The CPD Powder was a bit grey. I think I read is supposed to be white. I will drain water from the pool will start with 6". ....How do I know how much to drain??? any rules of thumb?
 
Do not chunk your FAS-DPD stuff, you can parallel test it with the new reagents, if they match you just have extra reagents to use. We can't tell how much to drain until we get your real CYA result from your testing. I don't trust the pool store results.

- - - Updated - - -

Ecoke said:
Wow...you folks are FAST!
Click to expand...

LOL, we are fast because our pools are Trouble Free Pools...we can spend that spare time helping you!
 

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Ecoke said:
Holy Moly...so if I understand this...if my CA is truly 140 ..then my target is below 100...I need to remove 29% of my pool water or 4600 gallons....Heavens to Mergatroid!

I think I'll wait for new reagents and check the CA level first!
Click to expand...
That sounds close, unfortunately. It's the reason we don't recommend solid chlorine. DiChlor (granular) and TriChlor (pucks) add almost 1PPM CYA for each 1PPM Free Chlorine. Cal-Hypo (also granular) raises Calcium Hardness at nearly the same 1:1 ratio.

The difference that the FC is consumed by sun/pool use, while the CH and CYA remain, and both cause issues at high levels. Unfortunately water replacement is the only solution.

Do you have any water restrictions in your area?
 
Uhm, I figure more like 79%, that would get you to 40 (little less for a 50 ppm)...lets hope that those pool store results run high!

You really should target 30 - 40 for a SLAM. 50 - 70 can be done, but you will use a bunch more bleach/testing reagents.
 
Ecoke said:
we do for irrigation...not sure if pool filling is restricted..will have to check on that..

and 10/4 on stopping the chlorinator use...That's why I am here...learning step by step....
Click to expand...
It's a marathon, not a sprint!

You don't need to go all the way down to 30/40 CYA initially, I'd shoot for 70 at the most, but if you have the water available to get to 30/40, it will make the SLAM easier.
 
Ok folks...I ordered new reagents as my never used K2006 is past expiration dates...some by 2 months...some by a year...won't get new u til hopefully mid next week at latest...I decided to try testing with kit...nothing to lose as long as I know results are suspect...here's whathas happened...

I attempted chlorine test..using 25 ml sample

it took 47 drops to go colorless. When I added the 5 drops to the sample...nothing...added 5 more...nothing..still clear..

that's where I'm at...have read much in the last week...don't recall reading where sample didnt turn pink...logis says it won't if there is no FC if I understand this...but I thought the addition of the DPD Powder and sample turning pink indicated there was FC?

thanks bunches

Ed
 
Oh geez...guess you guys are used to us newbies...yesssss..is CC not FC...Great big silly me...ok...so FC should be attacking the cloudy stuff in the pool..cannot see main drain..at ~ 6ft deep...pool doesnt look bad other then that..

ok I Know...what are your OTHER test results! Ok..so I will keep moving forward.
 
Do you have the reagents to perform CYA? They rarely go bad.

If you tested a 10 ml sample, added powder, sample turned pink, took 47 to clear, added 5 drops of dpd reagent and no pink. That means your FC = 23.5 and your CC = 0. How much bleach are you adding daily?

Sorry, saw you are using 25 ml sample...just use a 10 ml sample and divide by two.
 

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