First TFTestKit-100 test with Stock Tank Pool

[matthys333]

I've had my Stock Tank Pool for about 2 weeks now. Been using pool store test strips until I could get the TFTestKit, but have been using the PoolMath app and BBB chemicals.

So although the strips aren't that accurate, I seem to have done pretty well in the meantime.

Here's my first test numbers:

FC = 1 ppm
CC = .5 ppm
TC = 1.5 ppm
PH = somewhere in the middle of 7.2-7.8 (the color was not quite one or the other, but somewhere in the middle)
CH = 275 ppm
TA = 100 ppm
CYA = 25 ppm

Based on that, I added some Bleach (based on PoolMath), and also assume I need to up my CYA a bit to be closer to 40 ppm to preserve my chlorine a little more.

Does all that look/sound right?

All in all the pool is clear. And when my toddlers try pouring water from their little bucket in my mouth, it tastes like faucet water. So I assume things are well.

Only thing weird is on the surface of the water, when the pump hasn't been on, it looks like there's a bit of film. Upon closer look, it looks like very very tiny little flakes of something.

My first guess, prior to my TFTestKit test, was some thing may be unbalanced, but that doesn't seem to be the issue.

My second guess was maybe it's just pollen.

My third guess was that it could be some stuff from the sand in the filter as I forgot to backwash the fresh sand before filtering the pool.

Any thoughts?

 

[OTPirate]

Hey! I love the stock tank...it looks very cool. Can you take a pic of the flakes? Do they squish in your fingers when pinched or are they more solid? We are way over pollen in NC, but I don't know what you may have blooming in FL. I've learned from owning a pool that the outside world is very dirty, and all the dirtiness likes to get into my pool.

 

[matthys333]

Hey! I love the stock tank...it looks very cool. Can you take a pic of the flakes? Do they squish in your fingers when pinched or are they more solid? We are way over pollen in NC, but I don't know what you may have blooming in FL. I've learned from owning a pool that the outside world is very dirty, and all the dirtiness likes to get into my pool.

They just dissolve in the fingers. Almost like that flaky fish food, except smaller pieces and white.

Probably nothing...just curious what it is.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I call that surface schmutz. I like to keep my filter and pump on to keep the surface clean. Your pool isn't in a sterile, still environment. I wouldn't worry about it.

Keep in mind you have dust, pollen, skin cells etc in the water. And with toddlers you may also have a bit of pee.... avoid letting the kids force-drink too much of this stuff in to you no matter how clean it appears. Just because.

You do need a bit more FC in there too.

 

[duraleigh]

You have no skimmer, right? That is likely 90% of your problem regardless of what the substance may be.

 

[kimkats]

How about taking a pic of what you are using in place of a skimmer. Someone may have an idea how to best pull the water in to help clear the surface of the pool.

LOL when your kids "try" to pour the water into you mouth! Bet most of it ends up in your faced! FUN times and much laughter happens! Give them a for me please!

Kim

 

[matthys333]

I call that surface schmutz. I like to keep my filter and pump on to keep the surface clean. Your pool isn't in a sterile, still environment. I wouldn't worry about it.

Keep in mind you have dust, pollen, skin cells etc in the water. And with toddlers you may also have a bit of pee.... avoid letting the kids force-drink too much of this stuff in to you no matter how clean it appears. Just because.

You do need a bit more FC in there too.

Haha...trust me, my mouth isn't open like flowing wine. But in the moments of trying to escape, I get to taste the water.

 

[matthys333]

You have no skimmer, right? That is likely 90% of your problem regardless of what the substance may be.

If I understand how the skimmer works....a basket-like configuration attached towards the surface of the water that is attached to the intake of the pump/filtration and catches larger stuff before it gets to the system.

I'm not sure I get how the skimmer would collect this surface stuff if the basket is meant to catch bigger stuff, and what's on the surface is like pollen or something.

Also, after the my pump has been on for about 30 minutes or so, the stuff is gone for a while. Only when the water sits still long enough does it seem to collect.

Maybe the skimmer works in a way I don't know?

- - - Updated - - -

How about taking a pic of what you are using in place of a skimmer. Someone may have an idea how to best pull the water in to help clear the surface of the pool.

LOL when your kids "try" to pour the water into you mouth! Bet most of it ends up in your faced! FUN times and much laughter happens! Give them a for me please!

Kim

As you can see in my other thread pics/avatar, its just the intake towards the bottom of the stock tank and the return towards the surface of the water. Top one has a jet piece, the bottom is just open on the inside of the pool.

Like I mentioned in my post above, after the pump has been on for about 30 minutes, everything is gone. Just when the water sits for a while does it collect again. Probably just pollen stuff or maybe stuff that was in the sand for the filter that I didn't backwash initially.

Yeah my toddlers try to waterboard me...and think it's hilarious

 

[domct203]

A skimmer is designed to 'skim' the surface and remove floating debris.

 

[kimkats]

I get ya now. The stuff you are seeing is just environmental stuff. Sounds like when the pump is running then it is taking the water and stuff to the filter!

You are correct on how a skimmer works as far as clearing stuff from the top of the pool. It also serves to pull the water into the filter. You have the open pipe to pull the water in and it seems to be working. I don't see any reason to change it. Think about if you leave one of the kids buckets outside over night with water in it. It will get the same "scum" on it.

Kim

 

[matthys333]

I get ya now. The stuff you are seeing is just environmental stuff. Sounds like when the pump is running then it is taking the water and stuff to the filter!

You are correct on how a skimmer works as far as clearing stuff from the top of the pool. It also serves to pull the water into the filter. You have the open pipe to pull the water in and it seems to be working. I don't see any reason to change it. Think about if you leave one of the kids buckets outside over night with water in it. It will get the same "scum" on it.

Kim

Thanks Kim Yeah I figured it was probably nothing. Just more curiosity than anything. My main concern was water balancing. Which took a turn this morning...

I did the TFTestKit test yesterday morning and all was well except low chlorine and a little low CYA. Added more chlorine and planned to go to HD today to get CYA.

When I woke up and did my Taylor K-1000 test, the chlorine was at 0.

So decided to just go into SHOCK mode.

Added enough chlorine at that time to bring it up to SHOCK level (10). Ran some errands and picked up CYA. And when I got home a few hours later, I tested the chlorine again, but with the TFT.

It dropped to 5. Added chlorine again to bring it to 10 and added the recommended CYA amount in a dangling sock by the return.

Few hours later, the CYA was dissolved. I tested the FC again and it was down to 4....given this stretch was at peak suntime.

Just added more chlorine for SHOCK level. And just waiting to start the overnight FC drop test when the sun goes down.

Hoping between the added CYA and the full day of SHOCK, things will be all well tomorrow morning.

 

[kimkats]

With the sun and heat we had today I can see why the FC is going down so fast! I hope the extra CYA will help with that. I like that you are doing the overnight test. That is an awesome tool for your water. I do one about once a month just to make sure things are going in my favor.

Kim

 

[matthys333]

With the sun and heat we had today I can see why the FC is going down so fast! I hope the extra CYA will help with that. I like that you are doing the overnight test. That is an awesome tool for your water. I do one about once a month just to make sure things are going in my favor.

Kim

Update on this...

I kept it up to SHOCK level about 3X yesterday. Then tested the FC when the sun set. SHOCK level was 10. FC test last night was at 8.5.

Tested this morning before the sun could bake the water.

FC was at 7.5....1ppm drop...CHECK!

CC was at 0.

Water clear (was already)

SHOCK Complete!

 

[kimkats]

I am glad it is clear! I want you to keep your FC at the upper edge this week to make sure things stay good. I am hoping you will have a drop of less than 1.0 at the end of the week.

Kim

 

[matthys333]

I am glad it is clear! I want you to keep your FC at the upper edge this week to make sure things stay good. I am hoping you will have a drop of less than 1.0 at the end of the week.

Kim

I just did a K-1000 test this morning and it was the 5+ color (highest one). So not entirely sure the actual FC, but it's still up there. I did, however, have a cover on it for a good portion yesterday because my lawn guy came and didn't want a bunch of stuff in the water. But it was cloudy and rained most of yesterday, so I don't think it would've mattered.

If I keep the FC up this week, how will I know if I have a <1.0 drop at the end of the week? Do you mean an overnight test by the end of the week?

 

[kimkats]

Yes that is what I was thinking of-over night at the end of the week.

Kim

 

[matthys333]

Yes that is what I was thinking of-over night at the end of the week.

Kim

Bad news Kim....

Did a Taylor K-1000 test this morning and the chlorine side was clear...I assume 0. I added enough bleach to bring it up to 7.

Based on what I've seen/done this past week, here's my theory...

Since there's no evidence to support algae/contamination, it has to be just the sun.

That said, between the pool size (~750 gal) and it being a metal container, maybe the sun is just killing the chlorine too fast.

I haven't tested the CYA since the day of the overnight test...but added enough to bring it to 40 in theory.

Maybe because of my unique setup, I need to have a higher CYA to protect the FC more?

What do you think?

 

[kimkats]

OUCH! Your sun is hungry!!! I would push the CYA up to 50 and see if that helps. I might even think about 60 since you have so little water and it would be easy to dump water if needed.

Kim

 

[matthys333]

OUCH! Your sun is hungry!!! I would push the CYA up to 50 and see if that helps. I might even think about 60 since you have so little water and it would be easy to dump water if needed.

Kim

Yeah...direct sunlight from dawn until dusk...only 750 gal water...and all metal to reflect sunlight in water. Sun is just eating it up.

Tested again this morning and same thing...

Guess I'll do the CYA test tomorrow and add to 60...see how it goes

 

[matthys333]

OUCH! Your sun is hungry!!! I would push the CYA up to 50 and see if that helps. I might even think about 60 since you have so little water and it would be easy to dump water if needed.

Kim

Tested FC, CC, and CYA this morning with the TFT...

FC = 3
CC = .5
CYA = 30

FC didn't drop to 0 again, but that could be because I added the chlorine later in the day than I normally do.

CYA is lower than I thought it would be. I did add enough to bring it to 40 last Saturday. But I could've misinterpreted the CYA test that day (apparently it happens the first time or two).

So I added enough to bring it to 40 again since it was under. And I'll keep my eye on the FC for a few days. If it keeps dropping radically, I'll bring it to 50. Then 60 if necessary.

Just want to do it in phases as to not add too much (even though I can drain/refill).

Let's see how it goes....