New guy needs help
- Thread starter Txjole
- Start date
Ok question, should I go ahead and add Calium Hardener or wait. I just hooked up my auto fill and we have notorious hard water. 
- May 3, 2014
- 58,360
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,452
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Alright you two men of few words................please tell him WHY you said what you said. Lets teach him the whys and whys not please.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,360
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
OK ----------
Your CSI is not in the aggressive region because of your TA and pH. Maintain a CSI of greater than -0.6 by not lowering your pH any more than to 7.8 when, and if, it reaches 8.
As the water warms, your CSI will naturally become more positive. So as your TA falls by adding acid to maintain your pH at 7.8, your CSI will be OK. Over summer, your evaporation will mean you are adding high CH fill water and thus, your CH in the pool water will rise. I suspect, by July, your CH will easily be 300 ppm.
Your CSI is not in the aggressive region because of your TA and pH. Maintain a CSI of greater than -0.6 by not lowering your pH any more than to 7.8 when, and if, it reaches 8.
As the water warms, your CSI will naturally become more positive. So as your TA falls by adding acid to maintain your pH at 7.8, your CSI will be OK. Over summer, your evaporation will mean you are adding high CH fill water and thus, your CH in the pool water will rise. I suspect, by July, your CH will easily be 300 ppm.
Thanks Marty 
You said it MUCH better than I could have. That is why I asked you to say it!
You said it MUCH better than I could have. That is why I asked you to say it!Thanks guys. Water chemistry is a big deal for me. I have a special 6 year old that skin doesn’t fair so well in the HOA or water park chlorine pools, but he seems to do well in the grandparents SWG pool. I got to get, and keep this water right, I can’t handle him watching from the sidelines.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,360
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Most likely pH will be the chemistry value most important for skin issues. So if you see any reaction, be sure to check that. Your child may need the pH were it is or lower, every person is different.
might want to consider adding Borates in a couple months when you are comfortable with all numbers............... I did last year in my new pool and it feels great.
An expert may comment on skin condition and borates.
An expert may comment on skin condition and borates.
As we creep into warmer weather and I learn my chemistry. How’s this look? My CYA readings are changing ( up and down) so I hoping that is operator error. 
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,452
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Looks fine to me. I would work on getting CYA up some. I would not touch the TA.
Last edited:
- Jun 11, 2018
- 388
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Your last CYA was in March and if you’ve gotten as much rain as we have down here that could’ve made it drift down some. I had some trouble with CYA testing in the beginning but found this pic that might help:
Quick question, I have been working on dialing in my chemistry. Starting with my low CYA numbers. Added 2 lbs of dry last weekend. I just read that CYA reading can be inaccurate in water temps below 70. Is this true?
(my Poolmath logs are linked to my profile, that's a cool little feature I just learned!)
(my Poolmath logs are linked to my profile, that's a cool little feature I just learned!)
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,790
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
For the testing itself - yes. When the water is still chilly, it's best to bring that sample indoors for about 30 minutes to warm up a bit, then go back out and do the test.
Where is my calcium going? We had 2” of rain this week is all I can think. I also ran this test this morning before my pump ran? It could easily be 175-200. 
- May 3, 2014
- 58,360
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Looking at your PoolMath logs (we can click on your Member Name and see your Logs) you are down 50 ppm CH. Are you using the 10 ml sample for testing? If so, there is error and thus you could be down just a touch on calcium because of any overflow from rain, but not much.
What is your fill water CH? You will soon have evaporation and have to add fill water.
What is your fill water CH? You will soon have evaporation and have to add fill water.
3rd time test and I’m at 200. Fill water is 500. What color blue are we looking for a light robin egg or dark like the label on the speed stir? I’m read when it hits a light blue.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,360
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I do not understand how your fill water CH can be higher than your pool water? Did you fill the pool from a different source?
Follow CH test directions
Do you have a SpeedStir? It really helps when doing higher level CH testing.
Follow CH test directions
Do you have a SpeedStir? It really helps when doing higher level CH testing.