I am helping a friend out who has many issues with her pool. Can only tell you this. She had been using an algaecide (last year), powder chlorine now instead of a floating canister with pucks, as the pool company recommended no more stabilizer (Wow, a little too late). She put CYA reducer about 2 weeks ago (Have no idea if it even worked). Pool Company stated CYA was 80 before the CYA reducer.
The pool store told her she has metals in her water. She has not put any chemicals that were purchased to take care of the metals. Here is the information on a 18*36 vinyl pool, 8 feet deep with a heater. Gallon size is estimated at 20,000 gallons. She has a Sand Filter.
As you can see in the picture, when I tested for chlorine and PH, the chlorine was faint (yellow) and the PH was yellow? Do not know this one as my PH is always within range.
Question: Could the FC and PH be off because of metals in the water?
I also performed a diluted CYA test with 50% Water and her CYA is 140 (which she can not believe).
FC with the extended kit is 1 and CC is 1.5
TA was a weird color, so I stopped there. The color did not go to green with the 5 drops, but more red as I was adding the reagent, and I stopped, tested again as I knew something was wrong. Do not know where TA is because colors were off. Did not test for CH.
After reading the extended test kit directions, I realized that this is possibly the cause.
Add 5 drops of R-0008 and swirl to mix. The solution should turn green or blue. If the sample turns red, pink, or yellow, you are done, your TA is zero, and your PH is very very low (4.5 or lower).
Questions:
.. What is next (I recommended replacing enough water to lower the CYA down to 60) to a manageable level.
... How much chlorine should she put in the pool? Or nothing until water replacement and CYA is under control?
... Can the PH test be off with metals in her water? The pool store tested for metals and they were present (Although, I do not have any print outs in front of me)
... Did the TA test go bad again because of metals?
... Is the CYA test accurate given the metals in the water?
I recommending highly that she order a TF-100 test kit and join the forum. At this point, I am just curious myself and will try to help. I believe that the water replacement is a must.
Under these conditions, is it SAFE to SWIM?
The pool store told her she has metals in her water. She has not put any chemicals that were purchased to take care of the metals. Here is the information on a 18*36 vinyl pool, 8 feet deep with a heater. Gallon size is estimated at 20,000 gallons. She has a Sand Filter.
As you can see in the picture, when I tested for chlorine and PH, the chlorine was faint (yellow) and the PH was yellow? Do not know this one as my PH is always within range.
Question: Could the FC and PH be off because of metals in the water?
I also performed a diluted CYA test with 50% Water and her CYA is 140 (which she can not believe).
FC with the extended kit is 1 and CC is 1.5
TA was a weird color, so I stopped there. The color did not go to green with the 5 drops, but more red as I was adding the reagent, and I stopped, tested again as I knew something was wrong. Do not know where TA is because colors were off. Did not test for CH.
After reading the extended test kit directions, I realized that this is possibly the cause.
Add 5 drops of R-0008 and swirl to mix. The solution should turn green or blue. If the sample turns red, pink, or yellow, you are done, your TA is zero, and your PH is very very low (4.5 or lower).
Questions:
.. What is next (I recommended replacing enough water to lower the CYA down to 60) to a manageable level.
... How much chlorine should she put in the pool? Or nothing until water replacement and CYA is under control?
... Can the PH test be off with metals in her water? The pool store tested for metals and they were present (Although, I do not have any print outs in front of me)
... Did the TA test go bad again because of metals?
... Is the CYA test accurate given the metals in the water?
I recommending highly that she order a TF-100 test kit and join the forum. At this point, I am just curious myself and will try to help. I believe that the water replacement is a must.
Under these conditions, is it SAFE to SWIM?
Last edited: