Are pre opening test results accurate?

[SUNOFTHEBEACH]

I have a mesh cover. Rain water and much dust and pollen pass through. I probably add/replace 1/4 of my water with rain water and snow.

my pool started turning green and I hit it with 2 gallons of 10 % bleach. The water looks clear, it’s cold and I can see dust covering the bottom.

I thrown in a little giant pump to move the water.

when I tested the water I got 3 ppm chlorine, 60 alk, 180 cal, and above 8 PH.

is there something about the above scenario that makes the PH read higher then it really is? Dead algae?

can I trust that reading?

should I add acid or wait until I open the pool clean it and retest?

 

[ajw22]

Wait until you open the pool to make any chemical adjustments. Water and chemicals can stratify when still. Get it well mixed before testing.

 

[SUNOFTHEBEACH]

I jumped the gun and put some acid in there. My next PH test looked even darker red. Then I tested it with an uncalibrated PH meter that I just changed the batteries on and got a PH of 7.3

 

[duraleigh]

What test kit are you using?

 

[ajw22]

What is your FC?

 

[SUNOFTHEBEACH]

I’m using a Taylor text kit 2006 I think. FC was at 3ppm at time of the test.

 

[duraleigh]

can I trust that reading?

You have a good test kit but I think you need to circulate the water better before you really rely on any test results

 

[SUNOFTHEBEACH]

Just tested water from the hose. It tested above 8.0. I think my reagent is bad. It expired 5/18.

 

[SUNOFTHEBEACH]

Just checked, my R0004 is just an old bottle that I emptied and refilled out of a 2 oz bottle that didn’t fit in my case. The 2 oz bottle expires 7/20 and has never been outside.

it would nice to know I’m getting alkaline water out of the tap though.