Should i worry about the Calcium? Pebble tech. Ive seen some posts that indicate that it is not that big of a concern. I also don't 100% trust the test results since we have had so much rain. I have been running the pool at least 12 hours a day since the rain started.
Welcome to TFP, dealland. You can definitely manage your pool water yourself and will be glad you do. No more worries over algae blooms when you follow TFP's method of water management.
I'm going to give some instructions you may not know since you are new to posting. (you could have been reading for a year and know more than I can tell)
If you have time, give us your pool info in your signature section.
1. Click on "Settings" at the top right of the page under the "Pool School" button.
2. Look on the left side of the new page and find "My Settings"
3. "Edit Signature" will be just under that
4. Use my signature info or some other members' to see what to add to your signature. This is very essential to help us help you.
Let me know if you have questions. You can post here or send me a Private Message (which will send a notification ping to my phone). Just click on my user name to the left of this post. Then click on Private Message.
On the 27th, you stated that: "Water was a little cloudy and algae was beginning to bloom." What is the state of your water now? Do you see any algae? If yes, then you need to do a SLAM (Shock Level and Maintain). Read here for directions before you buy anything:
Pool School - SLAM - Shock Level And Maintain
Follow the SLAM directions to the letter. If your pool isn't all green, it shouldn't take too long to complete the SLAM as long as you stay on top of it.
IF you don't see any algae then follow these steps:
1. Do you have the TF-100 kit? It's the better kit to use.
2. FC and CC: First test for your Free Chlorine (FC) level following the directions on the laminated card which came with your TF-100 kit. The "Chlorine Drop Test" #'s 1-3. Record the level #. Even though you just tested yesterday, test again today.
3. Continue under #3, to test Combined Chloramines (CC) follow directions for #'s 4 and 5.
4. Important re CC results: the CC level should be 0.5 or 0, if it is "1" or higher, then you need to SLAM (go back up for the info I gave above). This is even if the water looks good. Clear water is not fulproof.
IF your CC results are 0.5 or 0, AND your water looks good (not greenish), then go to the steps below.
The steps below are for a chlorine/bleach pool.
SWG system: If you do have a swg system, I would only have it on IF you know the salt level in the water is at an acceptable level. You should be able to get that reading from your automation device. If the salt level is too low (which mine was way low because of all the rain), then turn off the cell, and we'll get it up and going after the other chemicals are in good order.
Your results you posted yesterday, the 28th.
FC - 11.2
PH - 8.0
TA - 140
CH - 150
CYA - 85 ish
1. Water level: make sure the water level is half way up the skimmers.
2. Pump: Turn on the main pump once the water level is good for the skimmers.
3. Testing for chems: You already tested today for the FC and CC, so you have those results. Add chlorine bleach as needed according to Pool Math. I would target 7 or 8 for the FC at this point.
4. pH: Yesterday's test shows a level of 8.0. But.... with an FC level over 10, the pH test result could be inaccurate. Test the pH again AFTER your chlorine level goes back down below 10.
5. TA: Your TA is too high, so follow the directions using PoolMath. Set a target of 70 - that will work for a bleach pool or a swg system.
6. CYA: 85 ish is ok. Leave it alone. Once I know if you have an swg system or not, we can decide what to do then.
7. CH: Your CH is low for either type of pool (bleach only or swg system). Go ahead and use a target of 350 since that works for the ranges of either pool.
8. SWG: Once I know if you have a salt system, we can make sure that's up and working. Until, then keep testing for the FC and add bleach as needed per the Pool Math.
9. I'll probably test my pool 2-3 times a week just now after Harvey until I'm confident the chem levels are stable and adjusted to my pool's usual happy levels before Harvey intruded.
For me, I'm moving slowly these days, so these steps may take me a few days and will also depend on supplies available in the stores. Use Amazon, if the stores are still closed or out of stock nearby. The FC and the pH are my first concerns.
Have you read Pool School? Since I don't know, I'm going to send you some links that may help you begin managing your water using the TFP method. No more pucks! (well unless you go on an extended vacation).
Pool School - Read This BEFORE You Post
Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart
Pool School - Recommended Levels
Pool School - PoolMath
If you haven't read any of this before, it can be overwhelming. I'm old school, so I like to print out the information, especially the two charts from the above links. But I promise it gets easier and easier very quickly once you start doing it. I'm an old woman, and not the brightest penny in the pot, so if I can do it (last 2 years, not a single smidgen of algae), then You will find it even easier than I did.
I'm going to PM you with my contact information in case you have some questions needing answers quickly.
All the best,
Suz
Welcome to TFP! 
