First Time Tester....CYA HIGH

[splashpad]

We bought a pump
Once we’re done and the filter is running again will it take care of the metal and whatever else is in the water?

One thing at a time, but the quick answer is no you will need a little extra for that, see this article Stains in Your Pool - Trouble Free Pool (I know it says "stains", but it addresses metals in pool water)

 

[thecardmaker]

Test results before starting water exchange: 2:30pm 6/12
FC 4.0
CC .5
pH 7.5
TA 120
CH 390
CYA 160 (diluted test)

After doing the last round of tests I read "Instructions on Extended Test". That has some good info! It covered several things I wondered about when I was testing. I will review them while I'm testing next time to help with accuracy. The OTO test does not sound familiar to me. Does the Taylor Test Kit K-2006C have it?

I wasn't happy using the midpoint of the inspector's estimate on our pool volume so I figured it out before starting the water exchange. Good thing! Its not 12,000 its 8,000 gallons. I have a few hours to go on my no drain water exchange. The math works out to 81% replacement. It will be 9:30pm by the time its completed. I had planned to run a full range of tests but since it will be dark should I hold off?

 

[mknauss]

You need several hours of mixing before doing the tests. Once the exchange is done, let the pump run (is that a 3.95 hp Single speed pump on a 8000 gallon pool?!?) overnight if you can. Then test in the morning.

 

[thecardmaker]

You need several hours of mixing before doing the tests. Once the exchange is done, let the pump run (is that a 3.95 hp Single speed pump on a 8000 gallon pool?!?) overnight if you can. Then test in the morning.

Ok, I'll run it overnight. Should I add some chlorine or wait for the tests in the morning?
Here are pics I have of the mechanical equipment from the inspection report.

 

[mknauss]

Ok - your main pool pump is an Intelliflo VS. Put that instead of the Hp ratings. You also have a Pressure side cleaner/pump and a water fall pump. If you would put all that in the signature. You can remove the verbage after the test kit to shorten the signature.

 

[thecardmaker]

Thank you. I updated my signature. I’m attaching a pic of the pool. 1 hour til the water exchange will be complete. It’s looking a little cloudy with a green tint. The pic looks greener than it does in person. Should I add chlorine to work with the pump overnight?

 

[mknauss]

Sure. Add 5 ppm FC worth.

 

[thecardmaker]

Sure. Add 5 ppm FC worth.

Here are my current results. The CYA is still high. Do I need to exchange more water or is ok?

 

[mknauss]

Your CYA was much higher than you thought or the exchange was not real efficient. I suspect the water temperatures where not far enough apart.

It will be a struggle at that CYA. This is when you might just drain off a couple feet and then refill. More assured of getting your CYA closer to 50 ppm.

Up to you. You can try to maintain at that CYA. If you can clear the pool without a SLAM it should work. But you will need to be very diligent as your target range for FC will make pH testing an issue.

 

[thecardmaker]

Your CYA was much higher than you thought or the exchange was not real efficient. I suspect the water temperatures where not far enough apart.

It will be a struggle at that CYA. This is when you might just drain off a couple feet and then refill. More assured of getting your CYA closer to 50 ppm.

Up to you. You can try to maintain at that CYA. If you can clear the pool without a SLAM it should work. But you will need to be very diligent as your target range for FC will make pH testing an issue.

Draining a couple feet doesn’t risk popping out? Would I need to keep spraying the plaster to keep it wet?

 

[mknauss]

Unless you have standing water in the yard around the pool your water table is not high enough to concern with draining a 18-24". You would want to be careful on the plaster, so best idea is to drain in the afternoon when the sun is not as strong and then fill overnight.

 

[thecardmaker]

Ok, we drained 18 inches then refilled. We let it refill to overflowing so we didn't have to stay up to watch the level.
New numbers taken at 10am this morning after 4 hours of running the pump.
a tad cloudy
FC 3.0
CC 0.5
pH 8.0
TA 150
CH 200
CYA 40
Temp 84

Yay! Finally got the CYA down! Do I tackle the pH now?

 

[mknauss]

Yes. Lower the pH to 7.2 or so. Raise your FC to SLAM level (16 ppm FC). Maintain that as often as possible and do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test once the pool water is crystal clear.

 

[splashpad]

a tad cloudy
FC 3.0
pH 8.0
TA 150
CH 200
CYA 40
Temp 84

Yay! Finally got the CYA down! Do I tackle the pH now?

Good Job!

Remember this FC/CYA Levels So raise your FC to at least 6, you might need a SLAM Process IF your pool can't pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

Lower your PH to 7.4/7.2 with muriatic acid and go swimming if you can see the bottom!!

 

[thecardmaker]

I'm in the middle of a SLAM.
TESTS on Monday 6/15
10am
FC 3.0
CC 0.5
pH 8.0
TA 150
CH 200
CYA 40
1:30pm After this pH test I started to SLAM
FC 4.0
pH 7.2
5:15pm FC 10.5
6:00pm FC 14.5
8:15pm FC 15.5

TESTS on Tuesday 6/16
9:15am 11.0
11:30am 16.0
3:40pm 9.5
5:45pm 13.5
8:30pm 12.0
Starting with yesterday's test at 1:30pm I added liquid chlorine after every test using the amount Pool Math suggested to raise it to FC 16. I had my hopes up of doing the overnight test tonight, but will plan for another day of slamming tomorrow. I just wanted to post my numbers in case they mean something I'm not aware of. I know I've read this can take awhile. My 11:30am test at FC 16 gave me false hope. After the 5:45pm and 8:30pm tests tonight I turned the waterfall on for 5-10 minutes. Do I need to worry about the possibility of algae in the pipes for the waterfall? I didn't want to run it too much and raise the pH during the SLAM.

 

[mknauss]

Not in the pipes of the waterfall but in any of the areas water sits in it. Check it well.

 

[thecardmaker]

Continue SLAM today, Target FC is 16
8:20am 13.0
9:40am 13.5
12noon 16.5
2:32pm 13.0
6:15pm 9.5
8:10pm 14.0

All I keep hearing is “the pool is clear”, “looks crystal clear to me”, “when the sun is shining you can really see how clear it is”. And I agree. Should I be doing the OCLT tonight? I was thinking the FC should be more stable before I do the overnight test. Is that right? I don't really want to do it until I think it will pass because I am NOT a morning person and the pool isn't at my house, but for that same reason I'd love to be done with the SLAM and stop making so many trips over there.

 

[mknauss]

If the water is crystal clear, do the OCLT. The FC drop during the day will be there because of UV loss.

 

[thecardmaker]

Ok, then I'm guessing the average FC loss during the day must be a lot higher during a SLAM than it is when you're in maintenance mode? Is that right?

My last chlorine addition was at 8pm. Will 10pm be enough time to wait before taking the night test of the OCLT?

 

[mknauss]

Correct on the FC loss. It will decrease to 2-4 ppm per day in target range.

10 pm is fine.