First Ever Test results! Any insight? First time Pool Owner

[StPetePoolGuy]

Hi Everyone! Been reading on here for about 2 weeks now and my tfpro just arrived the other day so I did my first full round of testing today! I don't have a thermometer yet so not sure about temperature, but getting one asap.

I have a kidney pool with differing depths so I am really not sure about size but I have estimated around 11k gallons? Plaster.

Either way my results were as follows:
FC: 12
PH: 7.5
TA: 110
CYA: 40
CH: 175

I know my FC is really high, I will let that get eaten up and test in a couple days. As for the CH being low and TA being high, how should I got about adding calcium? The recommended amount to add says 28 pounds... is that serious?? 30 pounds?? As for the TA, it seems like quite a process to lower it, any suggestions? Any other suggestions in general?? I am open to all advice and criticism!

 

[pjt]

my tfpro just arrived

Your signature says TF-100. Which do you have?

I don't have a thermometer yet so not sure about temperature, but getting one asap.

An instant read meat thermometer would work if you had one.

I know my FC is really high

It's not that high. SLAM FC is 16 for a CYA of 40, and you're well below that. Target FC is 5-7.

how should I got about adding calcium?

I would add enough calcium chloride to get your CH to 250. That should be 8 lbs, assuming your 11k volume is accurate.

Calcium Hardness - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

As for the TA, it seems like quite a process to lower it, any suggestions?

You don't need a dedicated effort to lower TA. Just manage the pH and the TA will settle where it's happy.

Do you have PoolMath?

What's the TA and CH of your fill water?

 

[StPetePoolGuy]

Thanks for that, changed my signature! Any calcium Chloride you would recommend? I do have pool math premium, it says my TA should be 70 and and my CH should be 450... is 250 enough?

 

[PoolStored]

250 is plenty enough. What is the TA and CH of your fill water?

Manage your pH and ignore the TA. When pH gets to 8, reduce it to 7.6. Over time TA will come down. When your TA gets to about 60-80, pH should be fairly stable around 7.8, so at that point stop lowering to 7.6.

 

[Mdragger88]

Some people have noticed their fc drops a little after adding calcium chloride so monitor that but you seem to be in a great position overall!
How does your water look?

 

[StPetePoolGuy]

250 is plenty enough. What is the TA and CH of your fill water?

Manage your pH and ignore the TA. When pH gets to 8, reduce it to 7.6. Over time TA will come down. When your TA gets to about 60-80, pH should be fairly stable around 7.8, so at that point stop lowering to 7.6.

Oh well I have one of those automatic filler things connected to my hose. I have never though to test the hose water, is that something I should be doing?

And so I should be fine with 250 CH and not the 450 suggested by poolmath? Its suggesting 28 pounds of calcium chloride, I was going to buy this 25 pound bag and use this: Robot or human?

Are the crystals okay? Or do I have to get the packages that specifically say "calcium hardener increaser"

Some people have noticed their fc drops a little after adding calcium chloride so monitor that but you seem to be in a great position overall!
How does your water look?

The water looks great! crystal clear! Any suggestions on what calcium chloride I should use? Is the one I linked above good enough?

 

[PoolStored]

Oh well I have one of those automatic filler things connected to my hose. I have never though to test the hose water, is that something I should be doing?

You only need to do it once. It will give you a general sense for how much TA your fill water adds and how often you will need to add acid with pH rise. Same for CH...

250 is fine. I would not raise to 450.

I personally buy calcium chloride from the pool store and recommend you do the same. Too many issues with the ice melt stuff. YMMV.

 

[StPetePoolGuy]

You only need to do it once. It will give you a general sense for how much TA your fill water adds and how often you will need to add acid with pH rise. Same for CH...

250 is fine. I would not raise to 450.

I personally buy calcium chloride from the pool store and recommend you do the same. Too many issues with the ice melt stuff. YMMV.

Okay interesting, since I am new and curious. Could you explain why it should not be at the recommended 450 level? Any other levels I should not follow exactly from poolmath?

 

[PoolStored]

250 will protect your plaster and is completely acceptable. Test your fill water CH. If fill water is high, then CH will rise over time, you don't want to add CH to 450 with High CH fill...significantly shortens the time to replace water when CH gets too high.

 

[Mdragger88]

Poolmath gives a range. So long as you’re within range you’re fine. Don’t blindly follow the bots

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