Does it have to be below 0? I thought you just needed it to be as close to 0 as you can and + or - a couple of tenths is acceptable.
Yup - below 0

With a SWG, a CSI below zero will keep scaling in the SWG to a minimum.
Since you have a vinyl pool, below zero without a specific range is fine.
If you have a plaster surface, we'd recommend a CSI range of 0.00 to -0.30 to minimize SWG scaling while also not leeching calcium out of the plaster.
 
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Borates and Adjusted Alkalinity.​

Adjusted TA = TA – (CYA X CYA C.F) – (Borate x Borate CF)

Borate C.F (correction factor) based on pH.

pH.......CF

7.2.....0.051

7.4.......0.0786

7.6......0.1248

7.8......0.1989

Cyanuric Acid correction factor based on pH.

pH........CF

7.0.......0.22

7.1.......0.24

7.2.......0.26

7.3.......0.28

7.4.......0.30

7.5.......0.32

7.6.......0.33

7.7.......0.34

7.8.......0.35

7.9.......0.36

For example, if the pH = 7.6, TA = 90, Borate = 50 and CYA = 70, the adjusted alkalinity is 90 - (70 x 0.33) – (50 x 0.1248) = 60.66.
 
Using The Circular Watergram® Water Balance Calculator

The Langelier Saturation Index, often called the "LSI," the "saturation index," or the "stability index," is a numerical value indicating whether or not water is balanced. It is calculated using the formula shown below.

SI = pH + TF + logCH + logALK - CONSTANT, where:

SI = saturation index
pH = measured pH
TF = temperature factor
CH = measured calcium hardness
ALK = measured alkalinity minus cyanurate alkalinity
CONSTANT = combined factor for temperature and ionic strength correction, and concentration conversions

An SI value of zero means water is properly balanced.

No chemical adjustment is necessary if the SI is within ±0.5 units of zero; however, conditions producing a value greater than 0.5 may lead to cloudiness and scaling, while conditions producing a value less than -0.5 may cause corrosion of concrete or metal surfaces.

(Note: While the cited SI range is commonly taught, the trend now in the pool/spa industry is to recommend a more restrictive range of -0.3 to 0.5 or even -0.3 to 0.3.)

While the SI is a useful calculation, crunching it out poolside could prove troublesome. To simplify the process, Taylor developed the Watergram®, a sliderule-like device used to determine whether water is balanced without performing tedious calculations. Just follow these four simple steps:

Using test kit, determine pH, Calcium Hardness, and Total Alkalinity of sample water.

Using Watergram® Water Balance Calculator, set Calcium Hardness opposite Total Alkalinity.

Hold Calcium Hardness against Total Alkalinity and set arrow to measured pH in window.

Read Saturation Index opposite Water Temperature. Note: If temperature is not known, use 76°F for pools or 104°F for spas and hot tubs.

See our Pool & Spa Water Chemistry booklet (#2004B) for proper water-chemistry adjustment procedures when you discover scaling or corrosive tendencies.


 

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Sounds good to me. It’s an amazing app. So useful!
And thanks for all your help. My TA is high but I’m gonna just keep at lowering pH and aerating to lower the TA while keeping an eye on my CSI to keep it as close to 0 as possible. Again. Thanks for the help!

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A CYA of 75 is rounded up to 80.
Just use multiples of 10.
71-79 is read as 80.

Use the FC/CYA Levels to dose FC according to your CYA.
Dose FC to the high side of the target range.

Is the Salt level at 3080 from the SWG or a drop based salt test?

I see you have the Taylor K-2006 test kit.
To save reagents, use the 10 ml sample for the FC/CC and CH tests.
 
A CYA of 75 is rounded up to 80.
Just use multiples of 10.
71-79 is read as 80.

Use the FC/CYA Levels to dose FC according to your CYA.
Dose FC to the high side of the target range.

Is the Salt level at 3080 from the SWG or a drop based salt test?

I see you have the Taylor K-2006 test kit.
To save reagents, use the 10 ml sample for the FC/CC and CH tests.
Ok. You’re saying the app rounds to 80? Good to know. The 3080 is coming from a digital salt tester. I haven’t been able to verify its accuracy on the salt test, but it tests pH as well and is super accurate on the pH. I’ve been trying to switch over to the 10ml test but keep forgetting and filling to 25ml from habit. :).
 
Ok. You’re saying the app rounds to 80?
No. YOU need to round any CYA test to the next 10.

You can either fill the tube until the dot is obscured, then round up to the next 10.

OR, fill to each line. Then, when the dot is obscured, round up to the next 10.
 
Ok. You’re saying the app rounds to 80? Good to know. The 3080 is coming from a digital salt tester. I haven’t been able to verify its accuracy on the salt test, but it tests pH as well and is super accurate on the pH. I’ve been trying to switch over to the 10ml test but keep forgetting and filling to 25ml from habit. :).
No, I saying YOU roind anything between 71 and 79 to 80 - and enter 80 into PoolMath.

You would be better served with a drop based salt test - like the K-1766.
While your digital tester may be good for pH (if the meter is calibrated frequently and stored correctly), it may not be that accurate for salt.
 
No. YOU need to round any CYA test to the next 10.

You can either fill the tube until the dot is obscured, then round up to the next 10.

OR, fill to each line. Then, when the dot is obscured, round up to the next 10.
Interesting. Thanks for clarifying. Any idea why that matters?
 
Interesting. Thanks for clarifying. Any idea why that matters?
The scale between the 10s is logarithmic...no way you can tell what the actual number is between. So, you round up to the next 10 and use that...it is safe, and you don't under chlorinate.
 

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