First post! (CH question)

[BigMike0612]

Hello! First of all, thank you TFP for existing. I bought my current house last summer without knowing anything about pools, but I've slowly learned more and more about my pool (frustrating and expensive at times), and now I'm ready to fire my pool company and take things over completely thanks to Pool school and the pool math app.

I purchased the TF-100 a couple weeks ago and am testing regularly (couldn't recommend the smart stir enough). I called my pool company and spoke to a supervisor this week to get an idea of what they're doing to my pool....And it was not TFP standards — that's for sure. The guy straight up told me that FC and CYA have no relationship and that in the Central Florida summer, they want my CYA high (up around 100) with a FC of 3-5. Again, I was speechless.

My pool guy just threw in tablets into the floater for a while. My CYA is so Dang high. I'm keeping my FC high in the meantime (based on the TFP chart) — I haven't drained any of my pool yet.

Tests from today (Central Florida, 15k gallon plaster)
FC: 5
CC: None
PH: 7.5
CYA: 90
TA: 60
CH: 275

Main reason for my post is about the CH test. See images below. It barely turned pink/red. It made it difficult to do the CH test, but my estimate is that it was around 275 (hard to tell when it turned blue because it was so faint)...Is this normal? Do I need to add calcium chloride?

(First image is it not being mixed, second image is with the smart stir on.)

 

[PoolStored]

they want my CYA high (up around 100) with a FC of 3-5.

Nooooooooooooooo!

FC: 5
CYA: 90

Your FC is too low for your CYA. You need to be near the top of the range when you test. If you have to dose higher than range, so you are in range when you test, do that. Always follow this. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

Main reason for my post is about the CH test

250 is just fine for CH.
However, something is not right with your test.
Print the CH instruction below out, and follow it. Make sure you are using the correct reagents:

Calcium Hardness

A drop-based test that measures the hardness in your water. Once measured, it is used … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Welcome to TFP Big Mike!

The video below shows the test with a 25 mL sample, but you continue with the 10 mL sample. This will give you an idea of what color changes you are looking for. Towards the end of the test, continue dropping until you see no additional color change. Then subtract that last drop that made no change.

Good luck,

Regular-size Mike

 

[BigMike0612]

Nooooooooooooooo!

Your FC is too low for your CYA. You need to be near the top of the range when you test. If you have to dose higher than range, so you are in range when you test, do that. Always follow this. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

250 is just fine for CH.
However, something is not right with your test.
Print the CH instruction below out, and follow it. Make sure you are using the correct reagents:

Calcium Hardness

A drop-based test that measures the hardness in your water. Once measured, it is used … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

Thank you! Yes I'm increasing my FC to match the CYA per the TFP chart.

I will do the CH test again tomorrow

 

[BigMike0612]

Welcome to TFP Big Mike!

The video below shows the test with a 25 mL sample, but you continue with the 10 mL sample. This will give you an idea of what color changes you are looking for. Towards the end of the test, continue dropping until you see no additional color change. Then subtract that last drop that made no change.

Good luck,

Regular-size Mike

Thanks!

 

[BigMike0612]

Nooooooooooooooo!

Your FC is too low for your CYA. You need to be near the top of the range when you test. If you have to dose higher than range, so you are in range when you test, do that. Always follow this. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

250 is just fine for CH.
However, something is not right with your test.
Print the CH instruction below out, and follow it. Make sure you are using the correct reagents:

Calcium Hardness

A drop-based test that measures the hardness in your water. Once measured, it is used … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

I tested CH again (twice) and it came out to 225 this time. So I'm going to buy some Calcium Chloride and get that up to around 300.

 

[PoolStored]

There is no need to raise it to 350, 250 is just fine.

I would test your fill water for TA and CH.

 

[BigMike0612]

There is no need to raise it to 350, 250 is just fine.

I would test your fill water for TA and CH.

I'm at 225 though so I'd like to get it closer to 300 so I don't have to worry about it for a while.

I might drain some of my pool to get my CYA down though. It's at like 90. It's slightly inconvenient to put so much chlorine in to meet the chart's standards

Good idea on testing my hose water