Recently had a Pinch a Penny open near me, which is great because they sell liquid chlorine in refillable containers for $7.88 per 2.5 gallons. They recommend tablets, then once a week blast the pool with 2.5 gallons, then use algaecide. I told the guy I'm a Trouble Free Pool guy. He had heard of the site, but didn't quite understand and I didn't have time to explain (plus, wouldn't have mattered...he's selling their method).
I had him test some water for me, and I tested myself as well...interesting to compare results and recommendations...here they are:
FC (and TC) - They showed 3.0. I also showed 3.0.
pH -- They showed 8.0. I showed 7.8. Pretty close.
Acid Demand -- They showed 2. I don't even know what this is???
TA -- They showed 75. I showed 60.
CH -- They showed 185. I showed 225.
Stabilizer (CYA) -- They showed 40. I showed 50 (mark is really close to 40, but I always go to the higher number).
Total Dissolved Solids -- They show 1300. I don't know what this is.
Recommendations---- my FC was low, so I added liquid chlorine. Shame on me for letting it drift too low. The funny thing is, they said my FC was fine.
They said I need 7 pounds of Suncoast TA Increaser because it needs to be 80-120. I didn't do anything with TA.
They said I need 15.6 pounds of Suncoast CH Increaser because it needs to be 200-400 (big range). I didn't do anything with CH.
Even though they showed pH at 8.0, and they say it's high, they didn't recommend any action on that...not sure why.
My takeaway -- I suspect if my FC had been appropriately high, they may not have nailed that one (I've heard they don't test above a certain level). Also concerning that they don't recognize it needed to be raised. Most of the tests were pretty close, but CH was pretty far off. Not sure why.
My CSI showed -0.18, which seems pretty darn good. When my pH reached 8.0, I'll lower to 7.6. Otherwise, I'll just keep my FC level where it should be and I'm good....anyone disagree?
I had him test some water for me, and I tested myself as well...interesting to compare results and recommendations...here they are:
FC (and TC) - They showed 3.0. I also showed 3.0.
pH -- They showed 8.0. I showed 7.8. Pretty close.
Acid Demand -- They showed 2. I don't even know what this is???
TA -- They showed 75. I showed 60.
CH -- They showed 185. I showed 225.
Stabilizer (CYA) -- They showed 40. I showed 50 (mark is really close to 40, but I always go to the higher number).
Total Dissolved Solids -- They show 1300. I don't know what this is.
Recommendations---- my FC was low, so I added liquid chlorine. Shame on me for letting it drift too low. The funny thing is, they said my FC was fine.
They said I need 7 pounds of Suncoast TA Increaser because it needs to be 80-120. I didn't do anything with TA.
They said I need 15.6 pounds of Suncoast CH Increaser because it needs to be 200-400 (big range). I didn't do anything with CH.
Even though they showed pH at 8.0, and they say it's high, they didn't recommend any action on that...not sure why.
My takeaway -- I suspect if my FC had been appropriately high, they may not have nailed that one (I've heard they don't test above a certain level). Also concerning that they don't recognize it needed to be raised. Most of the tests were pretty close, but CH was pretty far off. Not sure why.
My CSI showed -0.18, which seems pretty darn good. When my pH reached 8.0, I'll lower to 7.6. Otherwise, I'll just keep my FC level where it should be and I'm good....anyone disagree?
