My numbers are off or my pool guy is terrible or both?

[Sascher18]

I purchased a TFTestkit. Pro Version. These numbers are all off. Where in Pool math does it tell what and how much I need to add? This is getting frustrating.

FC - 25.5
PH - 7.8
TA - 160
CH-1375
CYA- did not test. 3 days ago it was 30
CSI - 1.11
Temp - 87F

 

[Newdude]

These numbers are all off.

Off from what ? You now have the Caddilac of testers. You set the standard that nobody else can match. The pool guy ???? He's a rusted out Yugo.

CYA- did not test. 3 days ago it was 30

You need to test with the TFpro. CYA is the cornerstone of the whole shebang.

Where in Pool math does it tell what and how much I need to add?

Click on any parameter. (PH for example). Enter your start PH and your target PH, enter the TA, enter the acid you plan to use and it will tell you at the bottom how much of the chemical you chose is needed.

It's neat at first when you don't inherently know what you need and it will narrow down the choices for you.

Let's call you @mknauss. Your CH is rather high.

 

[Mdragger88]

You press the + to add your results then they will show on each overview card
Press each card for suggestions.

Why is your fc so high?
Is there a problem with the pool water (algae, cloudy)?
What type of chlorine have you added? how are you adding it?
The ph test is invalid at fc levels above 10ppm so make no adjustments

 

[mknauss]

At that CH, honestly, unless you are unconcerned about scale, the pool needs to have the water exchanged to fresh.

If you do not care about scale, keep your pH as low as you can. Best to test pH every other day and add acid. That will drop your TA which will really help reduce scale buildup.

 

[Sascher18]

You press the + to add your results then they will show on each overview card
Press each card for suggestions.

Why is your fc so high?
Is there a problem with the pool water (algae, cloudy)?
What type of chlorine have you added? how are you adding it?
The ph test is invalid at fc levels above 10ppm so make no adjustments

Pool guy is adding a few tablets in the cholorinator and a 1/2 gallon of liquid chlorine. I don't see any algae or cloudiness.

If PH test is invalid, make no adjustments to what? I did add muriatic acid to lower TA.

Thanks,

 

[Mdragger88]

To lower ta safely you must know your ph so that it remains in the 7’s.
Don’t test ph or add anymore acid until fc falls.
Was the cya of 30 with the tf kit? If not you need to do that test.
If you have been using a tab feeder for any length of time you likely have a much higher cya than 30.

 

[Sascher18]

To lower ta safely you must know your ph so that it remains in the 7’s.
Don’t test ph or add anymore acid until fc falls.
Was the cya of 30 with the tf kit? If not you need to do that test.
If you have been using a tab feeder for any length of time you likely have a much higher cya than 30.

YOu're right. I retested the CYA and it was over 100. I brought pool water to Leslies pool to test and the CYA was 171. These are my latest tests with the TFTestkit and Leslie Pools. I am concerned that some the calculations are not close. I have watched several videos on how to test with the Taylor reagents.

 

[dfwnoob]

I'd retest the CYA using the diluted method. I'm guessing it's way, way north of 100 and probably somewhere in the ballpark of Leslie's questionable test.

Your pool guy has certainly done a number on your water chemistry. Fortunately for you, you've already got the TF-Pro so I'd fire him and start fixing this yourself. Unfortunately, you're really stuck with draining as the only option to fix the sky high CH and CYA. Check out the instructions for the No Drain Water Exchange.

 

[Mdragger88]

 

[proavia]

YOu're right. I retested the CYA and it was over 100. I brought pool water to Leslies pool to test and the CYA was 171. These are my latest tests with the TFTestkit and Leslie Pools. I am concerned that some the calculations are not close. I have watched several videos on how to test with the Taylor reagents.

Have a look at the extended test kit directions.

Extended Test Kit Directions Archives

www.troublefreepool.com

When testing...

• Carefully measure the amount of pool water necessary for the test
• Hold the reagent bottle perfectly vertical when dispensing the reagent
• Let the drop fully form on the tip of the bottle - do NOT force it off or squeeze the bottle hard
• Dispense about 1 drop per second

Chances are you may be able to get a lower CH result using the above.
If you are still in the 1200+ range for CH, do a no-drain water exchange as Marty (@mknauss ) suggested. This will also help lower your CYA.

Do the diluted CYA test to get a better handle on the actual CYA reading.

And get rid of the pool guy. Tablets in the skimmer are a no-no. Tablets will continue to raise your CYA.
It isn't necessarily the pool guy's fault. They really don't know any better.
It's the business model - in and out in 10 minutes - add enough stuff to hopefully hold it over to the next visit - charge extra to fix the issues created by the business model.

Take control of your pool.
No more pool store testing.
Save the money the pool service costs - save the money the pool store magic potions cost -- get a SWCG and possibly a water softener (plumbed to the autofill line).