New owner, salt. Water is crystal clear! But K-2006-SALT kit indicates ZERO CYA

[PoolStored]

Thanks @ajw22 ... #alwayslearning

 

[Texas Splash]

@truckprank, quite a bit of traffic on your thread already. Folks here are eager to help. The replies you've been receiving seem to be quite solid. I trust it is starting to make sense. Some scenarios require a bit of interpretation to sort out the details, but we generally do a thorough job for our members. If you have any additional questions let us know. Thanks for using the forum.

 

[HermanTX]

It's been 7 days since the FC reading of 24 from the SWG running at 100%. I turned the SWG to 0% as recommended that same evening and have tested several times since. Today I am reading at 5.0, so I figured my average demand for FC in a 24 hr period is 2.71. I used the SWG spreadsheet to calculate that I should set my generator to 43%. I set it to 40% just now and will continue testing! I think I want to shoot for ongoing 5.0, maybe 6.0 given my current CYA level.

This good logic and continue to monitor. Some days will use more FC then others due to overcast skies, batherload, etc. Always error to the high side of the range to account for these variables.

Side note, I took a sample to a local pool store to try and verify or at least validate my results (NOT Leslie's - it's a small independent place and they've been amazing with advice so far even though I haven't spent any money yet with them). Their readings are fairly consistent with mine - FC 4.1, CYA 83 (I got 70 the other day), pH 8.1 (I knew I was above 8.0 but wasn't sure how far above), SALT 3400 (right on w/ my reading), CH 61 (I got 70 the other day).

At the end of the day you have to pick one to follow and don’t drive yourself crazy trying to rationalize your test Values. As you gain experience with testing you need to believe in your own test capabilities. Remember the story of the man with 2 watches - he never knows the true time.

 

[truckprank]

Thank you all! It's a new fiberglass pool and we have no grout or anything. I did NOT mean to start any controversy! I think I can safely ignore CH but I also don't think it would hurt to get it to recommended levels either (say, 350 - 450 for me). I probably am overthinking completely! CH is definitely low priority for me in my individual situation but once I get the higher priority items handled, which I *think* am on the right track, then I figured it might not hurt to get the lower priority in balance as well. Maybe I have too much time on my hands, lol.

Again, y'all have been so helpful here in helping me understand everything and I'm so appreciative of that! I'd like to keep this thread going passively for my own benefit, but also for any other newcomers who may happen upon it. If that's OK with the community here.

OK - to contribute - so if I buy a gallon of muriatic acid 32% from this local pool store, but only need about 8oz, I have to store almost a gallon of that stuff indefinitely!! I really don't want that hanging around and wish I could buy a lesser amount. Any advice on safely storing the remainder? I don't really have a safe outdoor storage space for it. . . Anyone local need any and want to split a container??

 

[Texas Splash]

Any advice on safely storing the remainder?

Anywhere secured outside away from kids and pets. Oh, and nowhere near metal. Ask me how I learned that lesson.

 

[truckprank]

This good logic and continue to monitor. Some days will use more FC then others due to overcast skies, batherload, etc. Always error to the high side of the range to account for these variables.

At the end of the day you have to pick one to follow and don’t drive yourself crazy trying to rationalize your test Values. As you gain experience with testing you need to believe in your own test capabilities. Remember the story of the man with 2 watches - he never knows the true time.

Thank you sir! Yes, I've already picked my own testing results to consider exclusively. The pool store testing was just to validate for my own peace of mind. I did not record any of those results in my PoolMath. I also considered varying sunny weather, two swimming events (bather load), and decided to average the past 7 days. It varied wildly in my 36 - 72 hour tests so thought the average over the week would be the best to use for a decision. Given my CYA level at 70 and that wanting a higher FC level, I thought 5.0 would be good to shoot for but maybe even as high as 6.0 ongoing.

 

[PoolStored]

Thank you sir! Yes, I've already picked my own testing results to consider exclusively. The pool store testing was just to validate for my own peace of mind. I did not record any of those results in my PoolMath. I also considered varying sunny weather, two swimming events (bather load), and decided to average the past 7 days. It varied wildly in my 36 - 72 hour tests so thought the average over the week would be the best to use for a decision. Given my CYA level at 70 and that wanting a higher FC level, I thought 5.0 would be good to shoot for but maybe even as high as 6.0 ongoing.

Interesting question. I'd target higher. CYA of 70, SWCG, Target = 5-10. I can use up to 5.5, in Ohio with sun and swimmers. I target 9-10. 9-5.5=3.5, keeps me above minimums.

I find I run a particular % depending on the month. 25% May, 30% June/July, 25% August, 15% September. I have a pool cover. This FC level covers the average usage with pool cover on (3-4FC), no swimmers.

When/if I decide to pull cover and swim, I just increase the % output by 15-20% (total %...so June/July, up from 30% to 50%, from the time I pull the cover until I go to bed at night). Still keeps me about 9ppm FC overnight.

Seems to work pretty well.

 

[truckprank]

Interesting question. I'd target higher. CYA of 70, SWCG, Target = 5-10. I can use up to 5.5, in Ohio with sun and swimmers. I target 9-10. 9-5.5=3.5, keeps me above minimums.

I find I run a particular % depending on the month. 25% May, 30% June/July, 25% August, 15% September. I have a pool cover. This covers the average usage with pool cover on (3-4FC), no swimmers.

When/if I decide to pull cover and swim, I just increase the % output by 15-20% (total %...so June/July, up from 30% to 50%, from the time I pull the cover until I go to bed at night). Still keeps me about 9ppm FC overnight.

Seems to work pretty well.

Nice. Thank you. This makes sense and is going to make me consider adjusting the SWG dynamically instead of thinking I might just be able to find my percentage and leave it. This is super helpful thank you!!

 

[PoolStored]

Nice. Thank you. This makes sense and is going to make me consider adjusting the SWG dynamically instead of thinking I might just be able to find my percentage and leave it. This is super helpful thank you!!

There are lots of ways to skin a cat. This is just my cat skinning method. If you have an extreme pool party with tons of teens, you can even test during the day and add liquid chlorine during a 5 min break. Just keep FC up. Top of the recommended range is a great place to stay. #TeamRunHot

Static until you have dynamic demand, then higher output or LC to handle that demand. Pools are a dance.

 

[HermanTX]

OK - to contribute - so if I buy a gallon of muriatic acid 32% from this local pool store, but only need about 8oz, I have to store almost a gallon of that stuff indefinitely!! I really don't want that hanging around and wish I could buy a lesser amount. Any advice on safely storing the remainder? I don't really have a safe outdoor storage space for it. .

I bought a rubbermade storage box and I put my MA in that. It is outside. Some have a latch that you put a zip tie into to secure it if you wish. Do not put MA in your garage - it will over time, eat your garage door opener electronics or similar devices.
You will need to add pH periodically so it is best to find a suitable method to store it.

Please read

Chemical Storage and Safety - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Saturn94]

Ask me how I learned that lesson.

Same here.

 

[truckprank]

If you have an extreme pool party with tons of teens, you can even test during the day and add liquid chlorine during a 5 min break.

I really hope that never happens. I'm too old for that! lol but I do have a 10 year old boy so that could be possible in the semi-near future. . .

 

[truckprank]

I bought a rubbermade storage box and I put my MA in that. It is outside. Some have a latch that you put a zip tie into to secure it if you wish. Do not put MA in your garage - it will over time, eat your garage door opener electronics or similar devices.
You will need to add pH periodically so it is best to find a suitable method to store it.

Please read

Chemical Storage and Safety - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thank you. This confirms my concerns!! I don't want to keep that stuff around but if I need to, your idea sounds like a good one especially with the lockout tag in place. Quote from that article for quick reference (again, thank you!)

Muriatic Acid​

​

Muriatic acid should be stored outside. It has a relatively long shelf life regardless of temperature, does not freeze, and can be left outside in the winter. Even when in closed sealed containers the fumes from muriatic acid can rust metals in the room around it. Muriatic acid caps are vented hence gas can escape from them even when unopened and cause problems and the rusting of metal nearby. If stored in a garage the vehicles and metal shelves can rust due to the muriatic acid fumes. ​

 

[clambert1273]

I have a "deckbox" that is "plastic" outside of my house on the side & I keep 2 gallons in there. Seems to work OK there.

 

[truckprank]

Still seem to be struggling with pH! I finally got some muriatic acid 20 baume (31.xx%) three days ago, added 8oz per PoolMath, tested about 4 hours later (pump running the whole time). Made no difference according to my Taylor kit although I do seem to have trouble differentiating the higher pink colors. Looked at my Taylor booklet - according to the acid demand test (3 drops), that said I had needed to add a LOT more than 8oz (not sure why PoolMath differentiated so much). Added another 12 oz muriatic acid for a total of 20 oz, waited another 4 hours and tested again. This time it looked like I was at pH 7.4 woohoo! Verified with another set of eyes (my wife).

Tested again this morning and seemed to be back up to 7.8, then tested again just now and back to 8.0! Acid Demand was again back to needing 3 drops. We got a lot of rain over the past two days but from my research that shouldn't have mattered too much as far as pH.

I did place a big order with tftestkits including a pH meter with the thought I can cross reference my results and hopefully take out the color discrepency I seem to experience, but that's a couple days out.

I don't quite get it. I'm hesitant to add more acid but my tests tell me I should. Small pool only 6,700 gallons and I do NOT want to overdo it!

Full test results from this morning (except FC and pH from this afternoon):

FC: 6.5 (was 6.0 10 hours ago)
pH: 8.0 (was 7.8 10 hours ago)
CC: 0.0
TA: 100
CH: 70
TEMP: 66.5

 

[PoolStored]

Just keep managing pH. When you reduce your pH with muriatic acid, TA will come down also. When your TA gets around 60-80, your pH rise should lessen.

 

[truckprank]

Just keep managing pH. When you reduce your pH with muriatic acid, TA will come down also. When your TA gets around 60-80, your pH rise should lessen.

Thank you! I did see TA come down by 20 so I guess the acid did do something. Just wondering why I got so little effect on overall pH from all that acid I added and especially then seemingly had a bounce back up. I'm thinking I should add another 12 oz. Thanks again - learning curve here is steep for me.

 

[PoolStored]

Thank you! I did see TA come down by 20 so I guess the acid did do something. Just wondering why I got so little effect on overall pH from all that acid I added and especially then seemingly had a bounce back up. I'm thinking I should add another 12 oz. Thanks again - learning curve here is steep for me.

PH TA Relationship - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[summertimesadness]

It's been 7 days since the FC reading of 24 from the SWG running at 100%. I turned the SWG to 0% as recommended that same evening and have tested several times since. Today I am reading at 5.0, so I figured my average demand for FC in a 24 hr period is 2.71. I used the SWG spreadsheet to calculate that I should set my generator to 43%. I set it to 40% just now and will continue testing! I think I want to shoot for ongoing 5.0, maybe 6.0 given my current CYA level.

Side note, I took a sample to a local pool store to try and verify or at least validate my results (NOT Leslie's - it's a small independent place and they've been amazing with advice so far even though I haven't spent any money yet with them). Their readings are fairly consistent with mine - FC 4.1, CYA 83 (I got 70 the other day), pH 8.1 (I knew I was above 8.0 but wasn't sure how far above), SALT 3400 (right on w/ my reading), CH 61 (I got 70 the other day).

Also got a Dolphin Quantum robot and so far so good with that.

Next steps, after I'm happy w/ testing FC for a while w/ the new SWG percentage output setting, will be remediate pH with liquid muriatic acid; possibly remediate calcium hardness (even though probably doesn't matter too much w/ fiberglass); and I think that might be it for a while?

As always, open to your thoughts and very appreciative of everyone's advice so far! Everyone has been so super helpful.

Where did you find the spreadsheet ?

 

[PoolStored]

Where did you find the spreadsheet ?

SWG Run Time Calculator

What is the SWG Run Time Calculator? A tool that is designed to answer the common question of "how long should I run my pump/SWG". It calculates the run time of your SWG and Pump based on your pool size, the output of your SWG and your daily FC PPM loss. It is designed as a starting point...

www.troublefreepool.com

Might be easier to use "Effects of Adding" in Poolmath.