I can’t read the pH for the life of me.

[whiter0se]

Hi everyone,

Opened the pool yesterday and to my surprise it was crystal clear. Had a few plumbing issues but we’re back in business. I’ve left the water rotate for over 24 hours now and have started to take measurements before adding anything else.

2 weeks ago before I opened, I did get some sample of the water and the FC was above 9 and the CYA near the 60 mark.

I hate to create a new thread every time I want to test my pH but is there something easier to read or anything I can do the titration test to measure pH?

In the meantime if anyone can assist with the ph here from the photos.
TA is at 100.

Thank you all

 

[Mdragger88]

You’re not filling the tube up - the bubble should be at the line at the top.

 

[whiter0se]

You’re not filling the tube up - the bubble should be at the line at the top.
View attachment 497282

Apologies. Here is a better photo and second attempt.

 

[mknauss]

Around 7.6 to 7.8

 

[whiter0se]

Perfect. I won’t touch the TA and the pH for some time then. Going to perform the first overnight test and see if I need a SLAM and hopefully we can start taking dips soon! Thank you!

 

[mknauss]

If you need to SLAM, read SLAM Process

 

[whiter0se]

Thank you sir.
17.5 FC and 0CC as of 9:22PM ET.

I’ll be up around 5:30am to grab a water sample and will store it somewhere dark and go back to sleep then test around 9am after I’ve had my morning coffee

 

[PoolStored]

I’ll be up around 5:30am to grab a water sample and will store it somewhere dark and go back to sleep then test around 9am after I’ve had my morning coffee

FC and pH can drift after even a short period of time. I would not trust fc results after 3.5 hours sitting.

Water Testing Errors - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[IceShadow]

Thank you sir.
17.5 FC and 0CC as of 9:22PM ET.

I’ll be up around 5:30am to grab a water sample and will store it somewhere dark and go back to sleep then test around 9am after I’ve had my morning coffee

Was the pH test done while FC was over 10? If so it’s invalid - that high of pH can bleach out the test.

 

[BDY]

Hi everyone,

Opened the pool yesterday and to my surprise it was crystal clear. Had a few plumbing issues but we’re back in business. I’ve left the water rotate for over 24 hours now and have started to take measurements before adding anything else.

2 weeks ago before I opened, I did get some sample of the water and the FC was above 9 and the CYA near the 60 mark.

I hate to create a new thread every time I want to test my pH but is there something easier to read or anything I can do the titration test to measure pH?

In the meantime if anyone can assist with the ph here from the photos.
TA is at 100.

Thank you all

I too found the colors hard, esp as my FC can sometimes be higher than 10 but regardless colors are hard

I bought a mid range pH meter from Apera that I like. You have to keep it stored in solution, calibrate it monthly, and make sure you test at an angle to let any air bubbles in the tip escape but I find it much easier than the comparator block. The tips should last 2 years..

There are other more expensive hydroponic ph pens and cheaper ones too….. I like the Apera…

https://a.co/d/h7QmzWN

 

[whiter0se]

FC and pH can drift after even a short period of time. I would not trust fc results after 3.5 hours sitting.

Water Testing Errors - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thank you for this. I decided to wake up a little later at 8am. Since the pool doesn’t really see any direct sunlight until 11am, I just grabbed a sample at 8.
Results are the same. The pump wasn’t on but I grabbed the brush and swirled the water for a minute and grabbed a sample, and pulled a back muscle in the process.

FC: 35 drops of 871 (17.5)
CC: 5 drops and no change but maybe a slight pink purple tint but barely visible.

Was the pH test done while FC was over 10? If so it’s invalid - that high of pH can bleach out the test.

Yes the FC was above 10. I did pour LC in the pipes and the frog chlorinator unit since it looked dirty inside (not using the frog anymore, but didn’t want to take it off when redoing the plumbing for the future in case we go away on vacation) so that did bring my FC up but I am going wait a few days to retest the pH and TA. Thank you for this.

I too found the colors hard, esp as my FC can sometimes be higher than 10 but regardless colors are hard

I bought a mid range pH meter from Apera that I like. You have to keep it stored in solution, calibrate it monthly, and make sure you test at an angle to let any air bubbles in the tip escape but I find it much easier than the comparator block. The tips should last 2 years..

There are other more expensive hydroponic ph pens and cheaper ones too….. I like the Apera…

https://a.co/d/h7QmzWN

Thanks for this, wasn’t aware there was standalone pH testers like these. Will look into this.