We have a brand new pool, first filled on 12/4/2020. I just received my TF-100 test kit and used it for the first time yesterday. On the Chlorine Drop Test, after adding the scoop of R-0870, the solution did not turn pink. (Not surprising because someone from the pool company turned our automatic chlorine down from where we had it.) Anyway, Step 3 says to add R-0871 one drop at a time until the solution turns back to completely clear. Is it OK if the solution is white (opaque)? I added a lot of drops and the solution never turned clear. What did I do wrong? Should I have stopped after Step 2 since it showed no chlorine? Thank you
Chlorine Drop Test Question
- Thread starter NormaG
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 58,580
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Welcome to the forum!
If your sample does not turn pink after adding a scoop of powder, the FC is ZERO. No need to add the R0871. Clear, opaque, etc. Just no pink.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.
If your sample does not turn pink after adding a scoop of powder, the FC is ZERO. No need to add the R0871. Clear, opaque, etc. Just no pink.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.
Has the builder put the salt in already- has it been a month since the plaster??
How have you been adding chlorine in the first month before starting up the SWG?
Maddie
How have you been adding chlorine in the first month before starting up the SWG?
Maddie
Thanks, Maddie. We don't have a SWG. We have an inline chlorinator and we increased the amount of chlorine being dispensed. Seems to be going in the right direction now. We also added some liquid chlorine. So everything is good for now.
I suggest the proper word to use would be "colorless". Many use clear and colorless interchangeably but the solution is somewhat opaque as you suggested after adding the R-0871 drops. However you need it to be pink first after adding the powder R-0870 so you have no chlorine to start as indicated by others.
If you continue to use the inline chlorinator (chlorine pucks) this will add CYA to your pool as well as some acid. So watch both your pH and your CYA levels if this is a continuous use. Read the info that Marty provided on pool chemistry levels
As a reference point - Each 8 ounce trichlor tablet (1 puck fully dissolved) will add 5.5 FC, add 3.3 CYA and drop PH by 0.29 in a 10,000 gal pool. So 3 pucks will be approximately 3x these values. You can use "effects of adding" in Pool Math to see the potential issues of continuous use of pucks.
Since you live in Houston, do you have water softener? Your CH is pretty high (via pool math) so you may not. If you do, you may want to test your fill water and your tap water to compare.