I have grown tired of the hundreds of dollars I have spent at the suggestions of the local pool store. I found this site and have read through quite a bit. I purchased a Taylor K-2006 and here are my test results as of this morning and the results that Leslie's told me when I took a bottle in for testing:
My results ------- Leslies results
CYA 25-30 ------- 30
FCA 12 ------ 7.5
PH 7.6 ------ 7.8
T Alk 210 ------ 160
Cal Hardness 100 ----- 110
As background, I had 110 CYA (according to Leslies and could not keep FC levels at all. I pumped out almost all of my water and started over. I didn't SLAM as I was starting out with fresh water and had no algae. I have been keeping a higher level of chlorine (between 12 -20 ppm) but I am having to add it almost every day. Should I SLAM? I am using 10% strength bleach and no pucks or pool store shock. I have had trouble bringing my PH down and have used more than a gallon of Muriatic Acid to get it down from 8.0 to 7.6. I am concerned about the Total Alkalinity and the Calcium Hardness numbers. I plan to continue to add Muriatic Acid until my PH get down to 7.0 or 7.2 and aerate using my water feature, bubblers and spa air blower. When and what should I use to bring my Calcium Hardness into range? What other advice do you have?
My results ------- Leslies results
CYA 25-30 ------- 30
FCA 12 ------ 7.5
PH 7.6 ------ 7.8
T Alk 210 ------ 160
Cal Hardness 100 ----- 110
As background, I had 110 CYA (according to Leslies and could not keep FC levels at all. I pumped out almost all of my water and started over. I didn't SLAM as I was starting out with fresh water and had no algae. I have been keeping a higher level of chlorine (between 12 -20 ppm) but I am having to add it almost every day. Should I SLAM? I am using 10% strength bleach and no pucks or pool store shock. I have had trouble bringing my PH down and have used more than a gallon of Muriatic Acid to get it down from 8.0 to 7.6. I am concerned about the Total Alkalinity and the Calcium Hardness numbers. I plan to continue to add Muriatic Acid until my PH get down to 7.0 or 7.2 and aerate using my water feature, bubblers and spa air blower. When and what should I use to bring my Calcium Hardness into range? What other advice do you have?