Help....I don't know what problem to tackle first!

[LaneyDrivePool]

I'm in the learning process of testing my own water. I'm using the Taylor K-2006C test kit along with the K-1766 salt test kit. I've been fighting high ph and TA and have been focusing on lowering them using liquid MA. I downloaded the PoolMath app but the problem I'm running into is that the CYA seems to be lower than 30 because I can still see the black dot even when the Taylor tube is full to the top during that CYA test. Also, my ph is obviously higher than 8.0 but the Taylor test only goes to 8.0 so I don't know exactly what it is. How do I get an accurate number for the CYA and ph to enter into my PoolMath app to get the correct instructions for what to add? Also, if I have multiple things out of balance, what should I be focusing on first? Should I give up and take a water sample to Pinch a Penny for help?

Below is my test results today:

FC = 1.0
CC = 0.2
ph = higher than 8.0
CYA = lower than 30
TA = 175
CH = 260
Salt = 3400
Temp = 82 degrees

 

[zea3]

Hi, welcome to TFP! Don't give up testing yourself. You can do this! Looking at your pool math logs, you had CYA at 35 ppm 15 days ago. Was that a reading from your K2600? How much and what type of chlorine have you been adding? We need to determine if your low CYA reading is due to testing error of if the CYA has been consumed by bacteria (very rare) before raising the CYA level.

As for lowering pH. The test only goes up to 8.0 and evidently you are much higher. What you will need to do is put in 8.0 as your starting pH value and 7.0 as your target pH value. Add that amount of MA to drop pH and TA will drop with it. Retest pH after letting the MA circulate for 15 minutes. Repeat MA doesage if your pH test still shows above 8.0. Keep doing the dose and test cycle until the pH is dropped into the 7's. You want 7.2 to be your final pH target value.

Whenever you can clearly see the black dot when the cylander is full assume the CYA is 0.

 

[LaneyDrivePool]

Hi, welcome to TFP! Don't give up testing yourself. You can do this! Looking at your pool math logs, you had CYA at 35 ppm 15 days ago. Was that a reading from your K2600? How much and what type of chlorine have you been adding? We need to determine if your low CYA reading is due to testing error of if the CYA has been consumed by bacteria (very rare) before raising the CYA level.

As for lowering pH. The test only goes up to 8.0 and evidently you are much higher. What you will need to do is put in 8.0 as your starting pH value and 7.0 as your target pH value. Add that amount of MA to drop pH and TA will drop with it. Retest pH after letting the MA circulate for 15 minutes. Repeat MA doesage if your pH test still shows above 8.0. Keep doing the dose and test cycle until the pH is dropped into the 7's. You want 7.2 to be your final pH target value.

Whenever you can clearly see the black dot when the cylander is full assume the CYA is 0.

I honestly think that the last time I used the Pool Math log, I had the same problem with the CYA test and I might have just entered a number by accident because it was definitely lower than 30 because the black dot never went away with the tube being full. I have not added any chlorine. My SWG is set at 60%.

 

[zea3]

Did you have CYA last year?

 

[LaneyDrivePool]

Did you have CYA last year?

The pool was recently drained, replastered, and refilled.

 

[zea3]

Ok, great! That makes this much easier! You have 0 CYA. It does not occur in nature so it wouldn't show up in well water and it is not used in drinking water so it wouldn't come out of your tap. Use the sock method and add enough CYA to reach 60ppm according to poolmath.

Since your pool is recently re-plastered you will notice a tendency for pH to climb the first year. Once you get the pH in range test if daily for a week to track how often and by how much it rises. From there we can help you figure out how often to check the pH and lower it if needed.

 

[MITBeta]

You need more chlorine. Add some using liquid chlorine right away.

Also, since your FC has been low, run an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to be sure everything's okay.

 

[zea3]

You need more chlorine. Add some using liquid chlorine right away.

Also, since your FC has been low, run an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to be sure everything's okay.

They haven't added CYA since they refilled the pool. An FC of 1.0 with 0 CYA is sufficient to kill algae. Once they start adding CYA they can bring their FC to the appropriate level according to poolmath.

 

[kimkats]

You got this! Listen to what @zea3 says and your water will be TFP clear in now time and you will get a good handle on your pool's daily needs in no time!