Getting Started and Mineral Unit

[wobuzhudao]

My weeks of free pool service is up in a few weeks, and I'm gearing up to take over. I'll be going though the Taylor tests this week to get practice and to check the company's work.

Any first tips that aren't generally found on the site here are welcome. But one specific question... The service company recommended getting a mineral unit because they saw a little algae on the wall. I wasn't there at the time, and I'm having trouble finding where they were seeing it. What is your opinion about using an algaecide like mineral unit?

 

[Bperry]

. What is your opinion about using an algaecide like mineral unit?

Welcome! Sadly they are a complete waste of money and can cause staining depending on what minerals are being added. If you have algae, it means the chlorine level is too low for how much stabilizer is in the water. Here’s an article about it:

The Free Chlorine and Cyanuric Acid Relationship

Managing your cyanuric acid and Free Chlorine levels is key to stabilizing your pool. Learn how these two items affect each other.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[TinFoilHat]

Congrats on taking it over yourself. You will do a better job than someone at an hourly wage that sees your pool once per week. Get one of our recommended test kits and then do some reading of the following links to get yourself familiar with how easy this can be. Whether you have algae or not needs to be determined so I'll include the link to the OCLT test that can help determine that and the SLAM process to fix it.
Pool Care Basics
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
SLAM Process
Test Kits Compared

 

[wobuzhudao]

Thanks for the responses!

I did my first Taylor K-2006 tests (FC/CC, pH, TA, CH, and CYA) for practice, and it all looked good. I'll try an OCLT tonight or tomorrow night.

 

[PoolStored]

Post the full set of results.

 

[wobuzhudao]

You got it.

FC	4.8 ppm
CC	0.0 ppm
pH	7.6
TA	80 ppm
CH	240 ppm
CYA	50 ppm

 

[PoolStored]

1. Most of that is excellent.
2. When you test FC, use 10mL and each drop is .5 FC. Don't need .2 accuracy and 10mL will save reagent.
3. You should keep your FC level based on your CYA. I would stay at the top of the range for your CYA, and if you have to dose higher, so that you are near the top of the range when you test, do that. Link-->FC/CYA Levels
4. If there was visible algae, do the OCLT as you indicated.

Great job with the testing.

 

[wobuzhudao]

Thank you!