About to become a pool boy (w/ pics)...

[Teald024]

Na, I'd have to fish that pellet out of the garbage disposal at least twice each time I test, negating any "convince" it may offer. Besides, I can pat my head and rub my tummy at the same time, so dripping, counting, swirling while watching for color change/end point is not an issue. [emoji2]


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[Mark R]

Hey neighbor, I'd love to see your test numbers. Welcome and get the speed stir it's worth its weight in gold. I use mine all the time.. good luck taking over your pool, I did about 3 4 years ago and it's the 2nd best thing I've ever done in the desert. Your water looks fantastic by the way, when I saw the picture I said that looks like sparky like mine and then I saw the words Las Vegas.

Also after I did my first test my CYA was off the chart and drained my pool, ( pool service ) but it was in January 4 years ago and started the TFP way and have no issues. But I think after this summer I'll drain it again cause of hard water and it's a bit salty from bleech.

Have fun !

 

[Rollercoastr]

Na, I'd have to fish that pellet out of the garbage disposal at least twice each time I test, negating any "convince" it may offer. Besides, I can pat my head and rub my tummy at the same time, so dripping, counting, swirling while watching for color change/end point is not an issue. [emoji2]

I'm looking for the "Report offensive post" button... lol

Having dropped the pellet into the garbage disposal, I'm pretty sure I'll never do it again! The vacuum cleaner wasn't the correct retrieval method. (I plan to fashion a magnetic retrieval tool just in case, per Yippee's suggestion)

 

[clambert1273]

Hahaha I have 2 of those pellets.. just in case one gets lost lol


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[tfpusername]

K! Got my test kit... This looks a bit more involved than I thought, is there a cliffs notes version online somewhere? Do I need to really run every test/use every chemical?

If somebody could walk me through the steps I would greatly appreciate it! (pool lady coming for last appointment tomorrow, so want to be able to tell here I have things 'under control')

 

[Analogbytes]

Yep, here you go (=
Pool School - Extended Test Kit Directions

I will get you a reprieve on the OTO Chlorine test in lieu of the DPD test this go round. It is not as daunting as it looks. Also, here is TFTestKits youtube channel that shows each test.
https://www.youtube.com/user/TF100TestKit/videos

 

[tfpusername]

Ok so I filled up to 25ml, and put in two scoops of the powder (after swishing the first scoop, the water turned very bright pink, but it said to do two scoops, so I did).

Then I started adding the 871 one drop at a time, and it took about 16 drops before the water looked clear. That felt like maybe a lot, so I dumped it and restarted from scratch. The second time I put that cap on and did a good shake at drop 10, still pink. Took 17-18 drops this second time before the water looked clear.

Next I added 5 drops of r0003. Was expecting the water to turn pink again. Nothing. Water is still clear.

Luckily I ordered a can of those Aquacheck7 test strips, here are the results I got from them...

Total Hardness - 350
Total Chlorine - 4
Free Chlorine - 2.5
PH - 7.8
Total Alkalinity - 180
Cyanuric Acid - 100

Any idea what could have gone wrong with the k2006 test? Do the test strip results explain anything?

 

[Analogbytes]

16 drops is 3.2 FC. Add r0003 and it stays clear means 0 cc. The strips tell me nothing.

- - - Updated - - -

(When using 25ml sample)

 

[Teald024]

Any idea what could have gone wrong with the k2006 test? Do the test strip results explain anything?

What went wrong is that your didn't trust the K2006. You did the test twice and got FC of 3.2 and 3.4-3.6 the second time. Those are within the resolution and accuracy of each other (1 drop or 10%). Wrong #2 is that you trusted the test strips could have been more accurate.

Test strips: yes, this explains why many here disregard the results of test strips, ~20% different reading.

FYI, There isn't normally any reason to do the 25 ml test, but if you need more precision you can do this test with a 25 ml sample of pool water and multiply the number of drops by 0.2. In most situations the added precision is useless and simply wastes reagent. Stick with the 10 ml sample size with 1drop- 0.5 ppm.

 

[tfpusername]

Ok so 16+ drops is normal? Next time I will do 10ml (i assume that will make my drops last longer?).

So what does that mean (Is it normal to have FC but not CC)? How do we raise the CC? Is it time to start dumping in the bleach?

 

[Teald024]

Ok so 16+ drops is normal? Next time I will do 10ml (i assume that will make my drops last longer?).

So what does that mean? Is it time to start dumping in the bleach?

The number of drops is what it is, based on your FC level. only way to change that is to do the 10ml test, which most of us do. Less drops = supply lasts longer.

So, you need to move on and feed your pool. Since you're new and learning, I'll walk you though it.

Beginning FC = 3.3 (average tested value.
CYA = 100
pool volume = 13500 gallons go to PoolMath, down by the bottom there is a calculator. 13'x28' 5.5ft deep average (I picked an oval)
new FC = go to CYA/Chlorine Chart , assume non-SWG since you didn't say you had one.
Find 100 CYA,
Absolute Minimum FC of 8 (never below this value),
Target FC of 11-13 is what you want to shoot for,
Shock FC of 39 to be used when you SLAM

Go to Pool Math, in the orange boxes, enter the pool volume, in your case 13500. do not use the comma "," or you will get wrong data
in the yellow FC row enter 3.3 in the NOW column, then enter 13 in the Target column (those names are at the top in Brown),
Then go over and enter the appropriate bleach concentration. This is found on the bottle. For this example, I used 8.25% since it is a common level. You can add the jug size, but it isn't really needed.
Then look in the yellow row and see "Add" ____ oz of 8.25 weight % bleach. Using the numbers above, I get 194 oz or about 1.5 jugs (128oz) of bleach

Do the deed and pour that bleach in the pool. make sure the pump is running and pour it I front of a return so that it will spread.
If you want verification, you can wait 30 mins with the pump running and then retest (use 10 ml sample size)

Let us know how this works out for you.

 

[tfpusername]

Ah ok I watched a video explaining TC/FC/CC. So CC is chlorine that is bound to organic matter/dirt, and it makes sense that mine would be 0 (since we just filled it up two months ago, and nobody has been swimming yet).

But you say my target FC should be 11-13? According to the Aquacheck7 bottle that is high (they say I should be in the 1-3 ppm range). I will take your word for it though.

So I put in 13500 gallons for the pool (which sounds about right), 3.3 FC with goal of 11. Set the weight to 8.25%, and it says 150 oz. The bottle I bought is only 120oz, so I guess I need to go get more?...

Bottom line - it's safe to dump this whole 120oz bottle in right now? (while the pump is running I assume?) - Or do I need to check any of the other values (or is this FC calculation independent of the other values?)

*actually, I should wait till tomorrow - pool lady will be here for the last visit so she should be adding chlorine. I'll bet that'ts why it's so low - she hasn't been here for a whole week...

 

[FLPoolDIY]

It's not a need until you've used one. Just saying (=

Isn't that the truth... I love the speecstir and IMHO it ensures everything is getting mixed well. I have a total of three magnetic pills so I can move through all my test quicker and without the potential of cross contamination.

 

[Teald024]

Next, you need to think about getting your CYA level down. In the SW USA, running a higher than average CYA level does help control FC loss, but 100ppm is a bit too high. Unfortunately, the only practical way to reduce CYA is by water exchange.

 

[jagger2005]

Welcome to TFP. Do not pay any attention to what you read on the test strips packaging. You have no use for them or what they suggest.
Follow the advice from this wonderful people and you will not go wrong...guaranteed.

And yes it is safe to dump that entire bottle of bleach in pool. You can probably expect to use about 1/2 gallon per day, once you settle in and have a crystal clear pool

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[jagger2005]

FYI, the OP noted the Cya = 100 was from test strips not from the K2006. So might need help getting a valid result


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[tfpusername]

^ Yes the only test I did with the k2006 was the FC/CC. So what other tests should I do (pls link instructions if you have them).

 

[jagger2005]

I would test pH before adding bleach...more to follow


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[Teald024]

So I put in 13500 gallons for the pool (which sounds about right), 3.3 FC with goal of 11. Set the weight to 8.25%, and it says 150 oz. The bottle I bought is only 120oz, so I guess I need to go get more?...

Bottom line - it's safe to dump this whole 120oz bottle in right now? (while the pump is running I assume?) - Or do I need to check any of the other values (or is this FC calculation independent of the other values?)

*actually, I should wait till tomorrow - pool lady will be here for the last visit so she should be adding chlorine. I'll bet that'ts why it's so low - she hasn't been here for a whole week...

Yes, putting all the chlorine in at once is not an issue. Just pour it in slowly, take a full minute or more to dump a 128oz jug. you want it to spread out, so do it while the pump is running in front of the return. I would shoot for the 13ppm since you have been running well below the minimum FC level for some time now. I think you should consider yourself lucky that you don't have an algae outbreak.

Make sure the concentration you put in PoolMath matches what is on the bottle label.

Unless that pool lady is adding bleach, don't wait for her. Pour it in tonight, at least that one jug. That 120oz will only get you to 9.5 ppm which isn't much above the minimum, but better than nothing. It looks like your weather will be sunny & 85F tomorrow, so you are going to burn through 2-3 ppm over the day. THis will likely bring you below the minimum and not a good scenario. If it was me, I'd head over to your closest store an pick up a couple bottles of regular, unscented bleach, store brand is fine. Go to someplace that has good turnover (no big box hardware stores). You are at risk of an algae outbreak.

Do not let the pool lady put in any type of solid chlorine (pucks, di-chlor, tri-chlor, shock, CYA) it will only make your CYA problem worse.

 

[jagger2005]

Sorry had a minor emergency.
You will quickly realize that I am not an eloquent writer and do not have any links. The reason you should test pH before adding chlorine is because adding a gallon will probably push your FC above 10. And the pH test becomes inaccurate above 10. Right now we just want to make sure it is not to high or to low.
Normally you want to do all tests in sun light, but you can get pretty close in bright room. Your kit has plastic block with 3 different tests you can measure. FC, pH, and Cya. If you fill the pH cylinder (it will be the one with the reddish shades) to the fill line with pool water. I do not have this kit so read the instructions, but you probably add 5 drops of the reagent, cap it and shake. Since you are indoors I would go in a bright room and maybe hold a white piece of paper behind it to match the shade


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