Hey, all, love the site. Lots of good information. I admit, though, the first few times I read about chlorine dosing being dependent on your CYA level, I thought that meant your "Cover Your @$$" level, and wondered how you quantify that, haha.
Just bought a new house in Katy, TX with an in ground pool. Looks like it's been in the ground more than 20 years. The plaster's a bit discolored, there is some calcium scaling, some iron stains (seller says from fertilizer), and there are bubbles in two of the return jets, but the water is blue and we're loving it so far. The previous owners tested and bought chemicals through Leslie's, using pucks in the chlorine feeder and a floating chlorinator in the spa. The CYA information on this site kind of scared me off of adding more trichlor pucks until I knew the CYA level, so I poured in a jug of 7.5% bleach every couple days guessing that would keep it in range while I waited for my TF-100 test kit in the mail. My first CYA test read something like 30-40, so no danger of CYA overload unless I'm misreading the black dot. And my first FAS/DPD test showed 2 ppm Cl, based on 4 drops to turn the pink solution clear, but then after the solution sat for a few more minutes, it turned pink again, so I don't know what that means. I need to calibrate my eye with the standard solutions I ordered with the kit.
Yesterday I used the daily test block and it showed the chlorine below 2 and the pH too high, so in with more pucks and I'll recheck today. Previous owner didn't leave any MA, so if the trichlor doesn't reduce the pH, I'll have to go buy some, right? I did find there's a chemical supply a few miles from me that sells 12.5% liquid chlorine in bulk. When I improve my testing game, I'll have to stock up there. They will fill 1-gal jugs, or they sell a refillable 5-gal jug (or a 15-gal jug or a 55-gal drum). Sounds a bit dicey, though, trying to measure out of a 5-gal container. Anyone here do that? Has anyone here from Katy, TX used Patriot Cleaning Supply? Still trying to find the time to practice testing with the standard solutions, then get all the important numbers tested with my test kit. Hopefully this weekend.
Once I feel good about the chemistry, I can worry about little green spots, iron spots, and scaling. I also see there are aerator nozzles in a couple places along the wall, they don't run during the normal pump cycle, and I have no idea how to operate them, or if they still work. The previous owner gave us a quick rundown of operating the equipment, but didn't mention those. Maybe there's a valve somewhere?
Anyway, thanks for the great website and I imagine I'll be hitting you guys up for input real soon.
Just bought a new house in Katy, TX with an in ground pool. Looks like it's been in the ground more than 20 years. The plaster's a bit discolored, there is some calcium scaling, some iron stains (seller says from fertilizer), and there are bubbles in two of the return jets, but the water is blue and we're loving it so far. The previous owners tested and bought chemicals through Leslie's, using pucks in the chlorine feeder and a floating chlorinator in the spa. The CYA information on this site kind of scared me off of adding more trichlor pucks until I knew the CYA level, so I poured in a jug of 7.5% bleach every couple days guessing that would keep it in range while I waited for my TF-100 test kit in the mail. My first CYA test read something like 30-40, so no danger of CYA overload unless I'm misreading the black dot. And my first FAS/DPD test showed 2 ppm Cl, based on 4 drops to turn the pink solution clear, but then after the solution sat for a few more minutes, it turned pink again, so I don't know what that means. I need to calibrate my eye with the standard solutions I ordered with the kit.
Yesterday I used the daily test block and it showed the chlorine below 2 and the pH too high, so in with more pucks and I'll recheck today. Previous owner didn't leave any MA, so if the trichlor doesn't reduce the pH, I'll have to go buy some, right? I did find there's a chemical supply a few miles from me that sells 12.5% liquid chlorine in bulk. When I improve my testing game, I'll have to stock up there. They will fill 1-gal jugs, or they sell a refillable 5-gal jug (or a 15-gal jug or a 55-gal drum). Sounds a bit dicey, though, trying to measure out of a 5-gal container. Anyone here do that? Has anyone here from Katy, TX used Patriot Cleaning Supply? Still trying to find the time to practice testing with the standard solutions, then get all the important numbers tested with my test kit. Hopefully this weekend.
Once I feel good about the chemistry, I can worry about little green spots, iron spots, and scaling. I also see there are aerator nozzles in a couple places along the wall, they don't run during the normal pump cycle, and I have no idea how to operate them, or if they still work. The previous owner gave us a quick rundown of operating the equipment, but didn't mention those. Maybe there's a valve somewhere?
Anyway, thanks for the great website and I imagine I'll be hitting you guys up for input real soon.
