New pool owner in Canada

[depassp]

Hi everyone,

Long time reader, first time poster. Last year I became owner of an ~8100 gallon vinyl oval pool with cartridge filter and Aqua Genie. I think I did pretty well keeping it clean (with a lot of help from the info here!) but I'm hoping to improve this year.

Unfortunately it seems very difficult to find the recommended test kits (TF-100 or K-2006C) reasonably-priced in Canada.

I understand that the point of these kits are to get accurate+precise measurements of CYA, FC, TA, pH and CH.

The best/most economical way I think I can solve this is with a combination of K-1004 (which gets me FC, TC, TA, pH)

NEW Taylor K-1004 Trouble Shooter Complete Swimming Pool Spa DPD 5 Way Test Kit - Walmart.ca

Buy NEW Taylor K-1004 Trouble Shooter Complete Swimming Pool Spa DPD 5 Way Test Kit from Walmart Canada. Shop for more Pond Liners and Kits available online at Walmart.ca

www.walmart.ca

And these strips (which get me CYA and TH):

Robot or human?

I realize the strips are not very precise (and questionable accuracy) but they at least get me close, at least with CYA.

How does total hardness (TH) relate to calcium hardness (CH)? It sounds like that's all I'll be missing.

Is TC == FC + CC?

 

[Texas Splash]

Total hardness is the sum of calcium hardness and magnesium hardness. Most test strips report TH instead of CH. We are only concerned with CH.

Yes, Total chlorine is the sum of FC and CC. But remember that test strips simply won't do you any favors. We understand the challenges trying to get a good test kit up north, but do the best you can. It makes a huge difference overall.

Welcome to TFP!

 

[Poolzzz]

Don't assume test strips will get you close on cya. I had two kinds and neither were even remotely close to the correct value. Worse than useless.

The other readings were better but not good enough to manage a pool easily or properly.

It's a real pain but your only viable option is to pay the usury price for the proper Taylor test kit in Canada or buy the kit stateside. The right kit makes it so much easier, there's really no comparison.

 

[depassp]

Merged threads - mknauss - TFP Mod

I've had a really hard time finding a recommended test kit that's reasonably priced shipped to Ontario.

Would you mind sharing your source?

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
Ottawa is not all that far from the US/Canada border. You can order a proper test kit and have it shipped to a mail drop at you closest US border town, drive down and pick it up.

 

[santacruzpool]

Canada is a bit tricky from what I have read - not something I am very familiar with. You should be able to get the K-2006 or K-2006C in Canada - or as others have posted in the past, find a way to self import the TF-100 - maybe use a parcel pick up in the US and just hop back across the border????

 

[depassp]

My local hardware store (Canadian Tire) has 5L of 10.8% bleach/liquid chlorine on sale for $5.19 ($0.010/mL at 100%), normally $6.49 ($0.012/mL). I've been watching bleach prices at various stores and this is the best I can find.

I understand high% bleach has a ~6month shelf life so I'd like to stock up once if possible.

Is there any way to predict how much will be necessary to keep my FC levels all season? Is it just experience? Is there a general rule based on volume+CYA?

 

[Texas Splash]

Is there any way to predict how much will be necessary to keep my FC levels all season? Is it just experience? Is there a general rule based on volume+CYA?

Not really. Your FC use could vary throughout the year. Even more importantly, we know that bleach begins to weaken over time and based on storage conditions/heat. It's usually best to grab enough bleach to hold you over for 1-2 weeks then get a fresh batch. Over time you should see a pattern of use in your pool.

 

[Poolzzz]

You are saving 20% by buying on sale and stocking up but estimating your chlorine usage for the entire season to within 20% is hard so you could easily buy too much and negate the savings.

CT updates their production batches a few times per year for fresher product so I generally buy what I need to last until the next batch hit the stores and roll through the season like that. Half the time it's on sale anyway.

 

[HeidiP]

Hi everyone,

Long time reader, first time poster. Last year I became owner of an ~8100 gallon vinyl oval pool with cartridge filter and Aqua Genie. I think I did pretty well keeping it clean (with a lot of help from the info here!) but I'm hoping to improve this year.

Unfortunately it seems very difficult to find the recommended test kits (TF-100 or K-2006C) reasonably-priced in Canada.

I understand that the point of these kits are to get accurate+precise measurements of CYA, FC, TA, pH and CH.

The best/most economical way I think I can solve this is with a combination of K-1004 (which gets me FC, TC, TA, pH)

NEW Taylor K-1004 Trouble Shooter Complete Swimming Pool Spa DPD 5 Way Test Kit - Walmart.ca

Buy NEW Taylor K-1004 Trouble Shooter Complete Swimming Pool Spa DPD 5 Way Test Kit from Walmart Canada. Shop for more Pond Liners and Kits available online at Walmart.ca

www.walmart.ca

And these strips (which get me CYA and TH):

Robot or human?

I realize the strips are not very precise (and questionable accuracy) but they at least get me close, at least with CYA.

How does total hardness (TH) relate to calcium hardness (CH)? It sounds like that's all I'll be missing.

Is TC == FC + CC?

I ship to Ogdensburg - it's well worth it - extra filters for the pool robot, etc, are also WAY cheaper in the US - so it's generally worth it. I need some replacement chemicals too - the Ottawa prices are silly. I'm 45 mins across and as long as it's not a Canadian holiday, I'm in and out pretty quickly. On top of it, gas is about $1.05 a L vs the $1.25-1.35 it is right now. So the trip somewhat self-corrects on gas.

 

[HeidiP]

Hi everyone,

Long time reader, first time poster. Last year I became owner of an ~8100 gallon vinyl oval pool with cartridge filter and Aqua Genie. I think I did pretty well keeping it clean (with a lot of help from the info here!) but I'm hoping to improve this year.

Unfortunately it seems very difficult to find the recommended test kits (TF-100 or K-2006C) reasonably-priced in Canada.

I understand that the point of these kits are to get accurate+precise measurements of CYA, FC, TA, pH and CH.

The best/most economical way I think I can solve this is with a combination of K-1004 (which gets me FC, TC, TA, pH)

NEW Taylor K-1004 Trouble Shooter Complete Swimming Pool Spa DPD 5 Way Test Kit - Walmart.ca

Buy NEW Taylor K-1004 Trouble Shooter Complete Swimming Pool Spa DPD 5 Way Test Kit from Walmart Canada. Shop for more Pond Liners and Kits available online at Walmart.ca

www.walmart.ca

And these strips (which get me CYA and TH):

Robot or human?

I realize the strips are not very precise (and questionable accuracy) but they at least get me close, at least with CYA.

How does total hardness (TH) relate to calcium hardness (CH)? It sounds like that's all I'll be missing.

Is TC == FC + CC?

The shipping from Walmart on the Taylor is $54 (the kit itself is $30 which is great) - Taylor isn't really available for sale in Canada (some weird agreement made a LONG time ago.) Going to the US to get a kit is still a win, if you have some spare time to take a pretty drive.

 

[da_guy2]

I've bought taylor refiles from these guys in the past and their prices were fairly reasonable (by Canadian standards). They don't list their prices on their website but might be worth calling and asking http://ottawapoolworks.com

 

[depassp]

CT updates their production batches a few times per year for fresher product so I generally buy what I need to last until the next batch hit the stores and roll through the season like that. Half the time it's on sale anyway.

How can I tell the age of the batch? Is the stuff on sale right now super old so they're trying to clear it out?

I've bought taylor refiles from these guys in the past and their prices were fairly reasonable (by Canadian standards). They don't list their prices on their website but might be worth calling and asking http://ottawapoolworks.com

Yeah Lowry redirected me to them. Just got a quote today:
1 x K-2600 - $158.20+tax (22ml Bottles)
1 x K-2600C - $282.35+tax (60ml Bottles)

I ship to Ogdensburg - it's well worth it

Part of me really wants to avoid doing this if possible. I appreciate the info though. It looks like myusaddress.ca is quite reasonably-priced at $5/package. Also means I need to get there during their business hours.

 

[Poolzzz]

How can I tell the age of the batch? Is the stuff on sale right now super old so they're trying to clear it out?

It'll have a date code somewhere. 4 digits of the code show day (3 digits) and year (4th digit) made. Eg. 1869 means 186th day of year 2019.

Yeah Lowry redirected me to them. Just got a quote today:
1 x K-2600 - $158.20+tax (22ml Bottles)
1 x K-2600C - $282.35+tax (60ml Bottles)

The 2600c would be equivalent to the tf100 test kit for $70 US. So triple the price basically.

 

[depassp]

It'll have a date code somewhere. 4 digits of the code show day (3 digits) and year (4th digit) made. Eg. 1869 means 186th day of year 2019.

Great this is really useful, thanks! Should pin this somewhere.

The ones I bought say "4 0669 14:44". So I guess that means packed Feb 5, 2019 at 14:44. 3 months old. Might be useful to track the next sale

Any idea what the starting 4 means?

 

[Poolzzz]

Great this is really useful, thanks! Should pin this somewhere.

The ones I bought say "4 0669 14:44". So I guess that means packed Feb 5, 2019 at 14:44. 3 months old. Might be useful to track the next sale

Any idea what the starting 4 means?

The 4 is the manufacturing location.

 

[depassp]

I finally got my real test kit. I'm having trouble making out the pH. The colour is purple. I think that means it's above 8.2? Can anyone confirm? Picture is attached.

Here are the other results:
FC: 24.5ppm
CC: 0.5ppm
CH: 200ppm
TA: 110ppm
CYA: 50ppm

I've been adding LC all week, quasi-starting the SLAM using test strips. The water is now clear and looks much better that when I first opened it.

Going to try the OCLT tonight.

 

[Texas Splash]

The pH does look high, however it will look higher because your FC is well above 10. Whenever the FC is above 10, it skews the pH test. That's why we adjust the pH to about 7.2 before starting a SLAM, then not test it again until the SLAM is complete. So you might consider letting the FC fall to at least 10-12 and re-testing the pH, then resume the SLAM with an FC of 20.

 

[depassp]

The pH does look high, however it will look higher because your FC is well above 10. Whenever the FC is above 10, it skews the pH test. That's why we adjust the pH to about 7.2 before starting a SLAM, then not test it again until the SLAM is complete. So you might consider letting the FC fall to at least 10-12 and re-testing the pH, then resume the SLAM with an FC of 20.

Thanks. That makes sense. I had adjusted the pH (with test strips) before starting the SLAM.

Is there any reason I couldn't just complete the SLAM, return to safe (swimmable) FC then test/adjust the pH?

 

[mknauss]

You could. We do know that chlorine is more effective at low pH. But not drastically. High pH is only an issue if you are in the scaling tendency range. Watch for scale.