CYA Testing

[kcassidy0772]

Lots of loss. Backed up by visible proof of dead algae




We're finally over the pollen here so it's probably not environmental.

If you pass SLAM and the OCLT and it's still green, there could be a metals issue also.

Makes sense there is still algae present, but if the chlorine loss is indicating that I’m killing off algae why is the dead algae not appearing in the bottom of the pool?

 

[Newdude]

but if the chlorine loss is indicating that I’m killing off algae why is the dead algae not appearing in the bottom of the pool?

It is when you brush. That's the poofy cloud.

 

[kcassidy0772]

It is when you brush. That's the poofy cloud.

But isn’t that what usually clumps up at the bottom of the pool floor? My first week or so after opening the pool and starting SLAM there was plenty to vacuum. Now everyday doesn’t seem like anything to vacuum. Or was that maybe all pollen?

 

[Newdude]

Now everyday doesn’t seem like anything to vacuum

Until you brush.

Or was that maybe all pollen

It very well could have been both.

 

[kcassidy0772]

Until you brush.


It very well could have been both.

Got it. I just took another reading now that the sun has set so I can get a true overnight reading. 20ppm right now. I’m going to get out there early and get a reading before the sun has a chance to burn any off. Question- if my CYA is actually 40 and not 50, that would cause more of a FC loss as well right? I’m still not 100% confident if what I’m reading in the test tube is 40 CYA or 50 CYA so I treat at 50ppm to be conservative.

 

[Newdude]

if my CYA is actually 40 and not 50, that would cause more of a FC loss as well right?

Not to the point you'd notice. You'd be only 4 above the real target and not way over like you were doing.

I’m still not 100% confident if what I’m reading in the test tube is 40 CYA or 50 CYA so I treat at 50ppm to be conservative.

GREAT.

I’m going to get out there early and get a reading before the sun has a chance to burn any off.

I wouldn't go too crazy. If the sun burns off 1/2 FC the first hour it's up, which is really an hour and a half after dawn, it won't change the result by anything that matters. Say. You lost 8 or 8.5 overnight. It'll be good enough for an idea and you don't need to be up at 5 AM. (Unless you're up anyway. Then have at it).

Now. When it comes time to OCLT, that .5 extra might fail you and extend the slam. For those, you want to be up 5 mins before the crack of dawn.

 

[kcassidy0772]

Not to the point you'd notice. You'd be only 4 above the real target and not way over like you were doing.

GREAT.

I wouldn't go too crazy. If the sun burns off 1/2 FC the first hour it's up, which is really an hour and a half after dawn, it won't change the result by anything that matters. Say. You lost 8 or 8.5 overnight. It'll be good enough for an idea and you don't need to be up at 5 AM. (Unless you're up anyway. Then have at it).

Now. When it comes time to OCLT, that .5 extra might fail you and extend the slam. For those, you want to be up 5 mins before the crack of dawn.

First test of the day at 5:40, 20 minutes after sunrise was 19.5.

 

[Newdude]

Did you confirm it was 20 last night/evening ?

If so, you just passed an OCLT. Excessive FC loss would be CYA related because it didn't happen overnight.

I'm thinking you're reading the 50 CYA wrong because that's about the only explanation. You should probably order the sample solution to compare against the pre-made 50.

If the FC was confirmed 20 last night, I'd let the FC drift down and see if the green magically disappears once FC nears target range.

 

[kcassidy0772]

Did you confirm it was 20 last night/evening ?

If so, you just passed an OCLT. Excessive FC loss would be CYA related because it didn't happen overnight.

I'm thinking you're reading the 50 CYA wrong because that's about the only explanation. You should probably order the sample solution to compare against the pre-made 50.

If the FC was confirmed 20 last night, I'd let the FC drift down and see if the green magically disappears once FC nears target range.

Yes, I did a test at about 9:00pm last night and got a 20ppm reading. When you say order the sample solution do you mean order a different R-013 in case what I have is bad?

 

[Newdude]

When you say order the sample solution

There's a sample kit Here that has pre mixed pool water. You use their 50 CYA sample to learn how to read yours.

You can also 'learn' the others but those aren't tricky.

 

[kcassidy0772]

There's a sample kit Here that has pre mixed pool water. You use their 50 CYA sample to learn how to read yours.

You can also 'learn' the others but those aren't tricky.

That’s pretty neat I may get this. I did however just test CYA again and I can confidently say it’s not 50. In fact I could still see it although much less clear at 30ppm. So definitely will bring FC down. What I’m wondering though is should I raise my CYA now too? Although I can see it at 30ppm, I don’t think it will be seen at 20ppm, but can’t prove that of course bc the tube only goes to 30. But should I raise my CYA 10ppm so I can be confident it’s not as low as 20? BTW, just retested FC and it’s 18ppm. But this time 3 hours since last test of 20ppm. Fell back asleep

 

[markdpratt]

1. Put sample in mixing bottle (up to the mark, ~ halfway).
2. Add an equal amount of R-0013.
3. Shake about 30 sec; let stand 2-3 minutes; briefly shake again.
4. Glance into CYA VIEW TUBE, slowly pour mixture in until the black dot is not seen when you glance in. Do not look for the dot. Natural indirect light gives the best readings.

Allen,

I know your Step 3 regarding “let stand 2 -3 minutes; briefly shake again” has already been questioned but I must agree that neither my Taylor CYA testing instructions that came with my test kit nor the on-line Taylor YouTube CYA testing instructions include that second part of your Step 3.

Can you please provide your citation for that part of the test requiring you to let the sample stand for 2 - 3 minutes and then briefly shake again before adding to the CYA View Tube. I, of course, have no problem doing that if that’s what I need to be doing.

PS: I think I found the cause for letting the sample set for several minutes - is it to let the sample heat up if you are testing in a cold environment? I seldom have to worry about that here in Lake Charles!

Thanks,

Mark

 

[ajw22]

Can you please provide your citation for that part of the test requiring you to let the sample stand for 2 - 3 minutes and then briefly shake again before adding to the CYA View Tube. I, of course, have no problem doing that if that’s what I need to be doing.

My citation is me.

I find people look to rush the test. Not letting the sample sit and settle long enough effects the test. Letting the sample stand for a while has no effect on the test - 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes - then give it one more shake.

Do what works for you. I mix the sample then do other testing and come back to read it.

YMMV.

 

[Newdude]

What I’m wondering though is should I raise my CYA now too? Although I can see it at 30ppm, I don’t think it will be seen at 20ppm, but can’t prove that of course bc the tube only goes to 30. But should I raise my CYA 10ppm so I can be confident it’s not as low as 20?

If you're seeing abnormal FC loss, and pass a OCLT (check and check), then raise the CYA 10 and road test that.

 

[kcassidy0772]

If you're seeing abnormal FC loss, and pass a OCLT (check and check), then raise the CYA 10 and road test that.

So thinking ahead to try and diagnose my problem, if I was only losing FC to sun, meaning from sunset to sunrise my FC remains unchanged, doesn’t that mean it’s also not killing off any algae, and that would mean I don’t have an algae issue anymore but something else?

 

[Newdude]

and that would mean I don’t have an algae issue anymore but something else?

No overnight loss means no more algae. Sometimes it's stil somewhat of a battle to filter out the dead algae, but it appears you are now 'tinted' vs 'cloudy' (there is a difference).

Let the FC fall back to target range and we'll see if the green poofs away. Then we'll know it's only metals left.

 

[kcassidy0772]

No overnight loss means no more algae. Sometimes it's stil somewhat of a battle to filter out the dead algae, but it appears you are now 'tinted' vs 'cloudy' (there is a difference).

Let the FC fall back to target range and we'll see if the green poofs away. Then we'll know it's only metals left.

Ok. So here are my results today. Have not added any chlorine today:
5:45 - 19.5ppm
9:05 - 18.0ppm
11:00 - 20.0ppm ( something must be off)
1:00pm - 17.0ppm
4:45ppm - 14.0 ppm

Thinking I should add to bring up to 16ppm now (40CYA)

 

[kcassidy0772]

Ok. So here are my results today. Have not added any chlorine today:
5:45 - 19.5ppm
9:05 - 18.0ppm
11:00 - 20.0ppm ( something must be off)
1:00pm - 17.0ppm
4:45ppm - 14.0 ppm

Thinking I should add to bring up to 16ppm now (40CYA)

Oh just to clarify, do you mean fall back to normal target level or SLAM? Didn’t add anything g yet.

 

[kcassidy0772]

No overnight loss means no more algae. Sometimes it's stil somewhat of a battle to filter out the dead algae, but it appears you are now 'tinted' vs 'cloudy' (there is a difference).

Let the FC fall back to target range and we'll see if the green poofs away. Then we'll know it's only metals left.

Ok, so passed OLCT. 9:30pm last night read 16.5ppm and 16.5ppm at 5:25 am today. Total Chlorine loss for yesterday was 5.7ppm. Started at 19.5ppm added 2.7ppm couple hours before sunset, and last reading at 9:30pm was 16.5ppm.
Here are a couple pictures at 5:30 this morning. No sun, cloudy day. The last picture is what was in my filter stuck end of day yesterday. When you feel it in you hand it feels like lint and crumples easily.

 

[Newdude]

Ok, so passed OLCT

That's 2 in a row and the water now looks tinted but entirely clear.

Total Chlorine loss for yesterday was 5.7ppm

Add 10 CYA if you haven't yet.

The last picture is what was in my filter stuck end of day yesterday. When you feel it in you hand it feels like lint and crumples easily

Some sorta yard cru

do you mean fall back to normal target level or SLAM?

Target level. Then we'll see what happens to the tinted water. What has been added with copper ? Our county water is clean.