New Pool in Dallas, TX - TF-100 Results

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M

mccask

0
May 13, 2017
4
Lantana/TX
Hello TFPers, my pool was completed last month and I just tested with my TF-100. I've read quite a bit, but am looking for guidance to get the pool balanced.

FC 1/2
CC 0
pH 8.2
TA 160
CH 250
CYA 30

It appears FC needs to go up and pH down. Also, TA down and CYA up?

The filter runs from 10am-4pm daily, is the time of day and duration good for proper chlorination?

Thank you
 
Welcome to the forum!

Great job in getting a quality test kit to help you manage your pool water chemistry.

Why are you showing FC 1/2? You should be using your FAS-DPD test for FC. The OTO comparator block is at best to show you have chlorine in the water. But should not be used to understand what level of FC you have.

Follow the [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA]. Your CYA is fine for winter. Come early March, you will want to push it up to 50 ppm being in Texas. I do hope you do not plan to use the chlorinator you have installed for daily maintenance. Either liquid chlorine or eventually the installation of a SWCG is best for daily FC maintenance.

You do need to lower your pH. Target 7.2 and retest in a few days. Your pH will rise quicker due to your high TA. But no need to force your TA down at this time. It will be lowered each time you lower pH.

Your pump run time is fine if that is what is needed for cleaning. You can lower it to a couple hours a day this time of year if primarily concerned with keeping the water mixed up.

Take care.
 
Marty has you for chemistry, but I'll pipe in about pump run time.

What ever time you decide to run your pump you can decrease it if you like. I like to run mine a bit more than most as it keeps the water's surface skimmed of leaves and other light weight debris. If you find the water quality suffers from fewer hours of filtration, just add an hour at a time until the water is back to your desired sparkle.

Winter is the ideal time to switch to liquid chlorine (aka "bleach) as chlorine lasts much longer as the sun isn't directly over the pool and there are usually no bathers.

Maddie :flower:
 
Thank you both for the fast replies!

I did use the FAS-DPD test and it only required 1 drop of R-0871 to turn the very light pink solution to clear. Would that indicate FC of 1/2 ppm?

Using PoolMath (which I registered to maintain records) I added the following:

128 oz bleach @ 7.86% Cl targeting FC of 4 ppm
76 oz Muriatic acid @ 20deg Baume targeting pH of 7.4

I will be able to retest on Wednesday when I'm home, but is this a correct start? About 90% of leaves surrounding the pool area have already fallen, so I'll reduce a few hours of filtration.

With respect to the SWCG, I've seen numerous threads on them here. We used one for our first pool in CA, but were steered away from one by our Dallas-based pool builder. Are there any downsides if we were to add this in the spring? Their claim was additional mineralization of the water line and walls, IIRC.
 
OK --- so your FC was 0.5 ppm. You added bleach to your target range. You are good. Next time I would add to FC of 6ppm so that when you test again in a couple days it will not be below 4. In the spring (March) you will want to raise your CYA to 50 ppm and then you will be adding liquid chlorine DAILY to keep up with the loss to sunlight.

SWCG and Texas pool builders. Only place in the USA that it is an issue. We have a number of forum members from Texas with SWCG's. If you manage your water to TFPC standards, no issue. So you should be looking at a SWCG if you want to reduce your maintenance time with your pool next summer. Post in the Salt Water forum for suggestions.

Take care.
 
Welcome mccask!

What size water sample did you use for the FC test? 10ml or 25ml? 10ml yields .5ppm/drop; 25ml yields .2ppm/drop.

I had heard the same rumblings in Texas about Salt Water Pools and the problems they create. I did significant reading on this site before I was convinced it would be OK. Biggest fact that convinced me - A normally chlorinated pool will have as much as a 1000ppm of salt. A salt water pool is only 3000-3500ppm. So not a significantly larger amount. I have only had mine operating for a few months. I will say it is easier than pucks and certainly easier than lugging jugs of chlorine. You will be hard pressed to find a SWG pool owner that would go any other way. An alternative is a Stenner pump delivering the liquid chlorine automatically. Several on this site have gone that way.

Not sure where you are getting your bleach but Walmart brand is generally the cheapest and freshest I could find.
 
I used a 10mL sample for the FC test, the Cl level was undoubtedly low. After initial bleach and muriatic acid applications on Monday, the levels were better but still a little off on Wednesday. I added more of each chemical (targeting FC of 6ppm), using the calculator, and have held steady for the last day! I think I'm in good shape and now ready to maintain. The water looks ridiculously clear, almost like there is no water in the pool.

Yes, I purchased Walmart chlorine in the pool section (Julian dated from late Sep) for the application on Weds. IIRC, $3.69/jug @ 10% concentration. How many days from production do you consider 'fresh'?

Also, I've already research SWCG's and will have one installed before the summer swim season! Another toy to tie into the iAquaLink. :)

Thanks for all the guidance.

#TFPRocks
 
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You probably want to check FC & pH levels daily until you understand your pool. This time of year FC loss is greatly reduced so you should see very little change day to day. Just keep it above minimum according to the FC/CYA chart. I think you will find the Good Value bleach (8.25%) is typically much fresher than the Pool Chlorine (10%) you purchased. Bleach degradation is determined by time, temperature, and sun exposure. 2-3 months is going to have degradation if not properly stored. I find less than 2 weeks manufactured date typical of the store brand bleach (8.25%). There is a lot of turnover of this product it seems. Just got through with a SLAM on my brother's pool outside Paris Texas. We cleaned out the Walmart of 20 gallons of bleach. Two days later he needed more and they were restocked already.

It is amazing how crystal clear your water will always be with just a small amount of care and most importantly only putting in the chemicals it needs.

Stay close and ask any and all questions. We are all here to help. Most of us were once Pool Store slaves before finding TFP.
 
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