Am I measuring CYA correctly?

[black117]

To preface, I use test materials from a Taylor K-1005 kit for this test.
I follow the instructions, mixing the sample and reagent in the squirty bottle for 30 seconds.

- I place my back to the sun, so my shadow extends before me on the ground
- I grasp the vial lightly above the fluid line
- Starting with a CYA level higher than previous tests, I hold the vial at waist level and quickly glance down into the vial
- If the black dot is clearly visible, I add fluid and repeat
- I repeat until the black dot is just barely visible, bordering on vanishing in the cloud of the fluid.

This test seems somewhat subjective. To make matters worse, when I do have Leslie's (I know) test my water, they get wildly different CYA readings, which does not surprise me.

 

[Texas Splash]

It is a bit tricky, but you have the basics down correctly. Only thing I would add is to pour the solution from the viewing tube back into the bottle and repeat the test 2, 3, 4 times if needed. Then you might even have a friend or family member try the test, but don't share each other's numbers until after the testing to see how you compare.

Pool store ..... run!

 

[PoolStored]

Check this out. The pictures on this page may help you...

CYA Testing - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[DrewLG]

This test seems somewhat subjective.

Calibrating your eye against a known reference will help a lot.

Buy this 50ppm CYA standard solution: R-7065 CYA Standard 50ppm (2oz) and mix CYA reagent with the solution instead of with pool water.

Shake, wait a couple minutes, shake again, and fill the viewing tube to the 50ppm line. Look down into it. What you see is the endpoint that you should look for when you do the test with your pool water.

Also see what the dot looks like at 70, 60, and 40 ppm, so you'll have an idea of how much visible difference there is between the measurements.

 

[black117]

It is a bit tricky, but you have the basics down correctly. Only thing I would add is to pour the solution from the viewing tube back into the bottle and repeat the test 2, 3, 4 times if needed. Then you might even have a friend or family member try the test, but don't share each other's numbers until after the testing to see how you compare.

Pool store ..... run!

but I dont have any friends. Except the pool store. they keep trying to be my friend

 

[black117]

Calibrating your eye against a known reference will help a lot.

Buy this 50ppm CYA standard solution: R-7065 CYA Standard 50ppm (2oz) and mix CYA reagent with the solution instead of with pool water.

This is great. I will do exactly this.