New to trouble free pool

[PoolStored]

YEP! Congrats!

Sometimes people like to extend the slam one more day for insurance. YMMV.

As for ongoing maintenance of FC...

Keep your FC in range for your CYA of 50. Always follow this...Link-->FC/CYA Levels

 

[Mattikuss]

Good morning. it is hard to believe but my readings today indicate I have achieved the three slam criteria. I tested for FC last night at 0227 am And was at 18.5 ppm. At 10:27 AM the read was 18.0 ppm. water is clear, I put five drops of R-0003 into my FC solution and it remained clear. What do you think? thank you

Wow, could the saga be at a close? Sounds like you were under-chlorinating early on.

 

[ko8310]

Also my CYA is 50

Thank you! It took awhile but am glad to be able to move forward. A couple questions…I am so used to having the FC IN THE 20’s and today I am at 18. For a 50 CYA the FC/CYA CHART has a target FC of 6-8. Do I allow the FC to drop to that target level starting today?Also the staining is real embarrassing. Texas Splash mentioned circling back for that issue. Regarding PH testing…I read FC must be less than 10 for a valid PH read. Wifey will not go in the pool until PH is within range. I said we could go in now but it appears staining and PH are the last Mohicans for her. I have read many TFP articles so as to lessen the newbe questions…but some remain. Just so glad to be at this point in the journey, it’s been a worthwhile challenging experience. Greatly appreciate you all.

 

[ko8310]

Thank you! It took awhile but am glad to be able to move forward. A couple questions…I am so used to having the FC IN THE 20’s and today I am at 18. For a 50 CYA the FC/CYA CHART has a target FC of 6-8. Do I allow the FC to drop to that target level starting today?Also the staining is real embarrassing. Texas Splash mentioned circling back for that issue. Regarding PH testing…I read FC must be less than 10 for a valid PH read. Wifey will not go in the pool until PH is within range. I said we could go in now but it appears staining and PH are the last Mohicans for her. I have read many TFP articles so as to lessen the newbe questions…but some remain. Just so glad to be at this point in the journey, it’s been a worthwhile challenging experience. Greatly appreciate you all.

Now that I’m done with the slam, I believe I’m to shoot for a FC level of 6 to 8ppm with my 50 CYA. This morning’s read is 13ppm. I have not ever tested for the pH and according to the information in TFP I need to wait until the FC reading is under 10 would that be correct? Also for the brown stain on the vinyl liner which appears to be from iron in the water, any suggestions? Thanks so much.

 

[ko8310]

Now that I’m done with the slam, I believe I’m to shoot for a FC level of 6 to 8ppm with my 50 CYA. This morning’s read is 13ppm. I have not ever tested for the pH and according to the information in TFP I need to wait until the FC reading is under 10 would that be correct? Also for the brown stain on the vinyl liner which appears to be from iron in the water, any suggestions? Thanks so much.

Hello, I’m following up on my last 2 posts… my FC today is 9.5ppm. I performed my first pH test ever and it appears to be less than 6.8. not sure what number to put into the Pool Math Calculator in order to bring the pH up to the desired level. Thank you for any help, the pool has come a long way with the guidance from the forum. If we can get the pH right and know how to get the stain out I think we’ll be able to go in. Thank you for all your help.

 

[PoolStored]

Before we do anything confirm what chemical you are using for the pH test. Also post a full set of results.

 

[ko8310]

Before we do anything confirm what chemical you are using for the pH test. Also post a full set of results.

Thank you very much for the reply. I filled both sides of the Comparator Block to the thin black line with pool water and added 5 drops of R-0014 to the Red side and 5 drops of R-0600 to the yellow side, replaced the caps and shook well. The photo I attached in the prior post shows the result, which to me appeared yellowish and looks like low PH. Thanks for the guidance before the next steps.

 

[PoolStored]

Post a full set of results:
FC
CC
TA
CH
CYA

 

[ko8310]

Post a full set of results:
FC
CC
TA
CH
CYA

Hello. This is my first time attempting a full set of test results.
FC-9.5 ppm no change from yesterday
CC-0.0
TA- 0.0 after testing the sample, it was reddish and instructions said I was done, no TA
CH- had trouble figuring that test out for my vinyl liner pool
CYA-40
From what I read adding bicarbonate of soda to bring up the TA and PH might be the next step?
The water is very clear from the shallow end to the bottom of the deep end, which is a pleasure to see. Any additional information or steps for the Forum? Thanks so much

 

[PoolStored]

Wow, that is really low TA. I would add 40ppm of Baking Soda and retest TA after 30 minutes with pump running. Whatever it tests at that point, add enough baking soda to raise it TO 60. Use pool math to figure out how much to add for each addition. Link-->PoolMath

After TA is reading 60, then test your pH and raise in .4 increments until it reaches 7.4. Use 20 Mule Team Borax to raise pH. Add enough to raise pH by .4, then test again after 30 minutes. Repeat until pH is 7.4

 

[ko8310]

Wow, that is really low TA. I would add 40ppm of Baking Soda and retest TA after 30 minutes with pump running. Whatever it tests at that point, add enough baking soda to raise it TO 60. Use pool math to figure out how much to add for each addition. Link-->PoolMath

After TA is reading 60, then test your pH and raise in .4 increments until it reaches 7.4. Use 20 Mule Team Borax to raise pH. Add enough to raise pH by .4, then test again after 30 minutes. Repeat until pH is 7.4

Thanks so much. I am heading out to get some baking soda. In the past. I’ve gotten it at Leslies, however, I’m trying to avoid going there if possible. Any suggestions as to where to get baking soda and 20 mule team borax? I got all the liquid chlorine at Walmart. I can try there. Again, thank you for your guidance.

 

[PoolStored]

Link to Walmart Baking soda-->Baking Soda

Link to Walmart 20 Mule Team Borax-->20 mule team borax

 

[ko8310]

Link to Walmart Baking soda-->Baking Soda

Link to Walmart 20 Mule Team Borax-->20 mule team borax

Perfect, thanks!

 

[Texas Splash]

The pH and TA results seem really odd. Please post back with those two as soon as you can. Adding some baking soda and such should need about an hour or so to start showing some impact.

Curious to know how in the world, if those are good test results, the TA and pH could bottom-out like that. It takes a lot of acid to do that, unless your fill water is extremely acidic. Have you ever tested your fill water? Might be a good idea. Also, double/triple check that you actually used the correct reagent bottles for both the pH and TA. I know you said you used the R-0014, but I just want to ensure the other red cap bottle wasn't used by mistake.

 

[ko8310]

The pH and TA results seem really odd. Please post back with those two as soon as you can. Adding some baking soda and such should need about an hour or so to start showing some impact.

Curious to know how in the world, if those are good test results, the TA and pH could bottom-out like that. It takes a lot of acid to do that, unless your fill water is extremely acidic. Have you ever tested your fill water? Might be a good idea. Also, double/triple check that you actually used the correct reagent bottles for both the pH and TA. I know you said you used the R-0014, but I just want to ensure the other red cap bottle wasn't used by mistake.

I just got back from Walmart and got a 10.8 ounce bag of baking soda and a 4 pound bag of 20 mule team borax before I add anything else. I am going to retest the full set and submit so that I can double check I use the right reagents, I thought I did, but I will. Thanks again

 

[ko8310]

I just got back from Walmart and got a 10.8 ounce bag of baking soda and a 4 pound bag of 20 mule team borax before I add anything else. I am going to retest the full set and submit so that I can double check I use the right reagents, I thought I did, but I will. Thanks again

FC -8ppm
TA- I filled the clear plastic cylinder to the 25 mL mark with Pool water. I then added two drops of R-0007 and speed stirred. I’ve been added five drops of R-0008 And mixed again. The plastic card with my TF 100 test kit says the solution will turn green, mine turned pinky red. I have not added any of the R-0009 Because supposedly that turns the solution red, but I’m already red…Ugh Doesn’t make sense

 

[ko8310]

FC -8ppm
TA- I filled the clear plastic cylinder to the 25 mL mark with Pool water. I then added two drops of R-0007 and speed stirred. I’ve been added five drops of R-0008 And mixed again. The plastic card with my TF 100 test kit says the solution will turn green, mine turned pinky red. I have not added any of the R-0009 Because supposedly that turns the solution red, but I’m already red…Ugh Doesn’t make sense

Correction: I bought a 10.8 pound bag of baking soda 10.8 ounces

 

[ko8310]

Correction: I bought a 10.8 pound bag of baking soda 10.8 ounces

Not 10.8 oz

 

[ko8310]

Not 10.8 oz

PH is still low. Am putting in the 10.8 oz bag of baking soda and will test in an hour.

 

[Texas Splash]

mine turned pinky red.

Yep, you are correct. Wow. Okay, starting adding baking soda. For now, add about 40 ppm as noted above and test again in about 30-60 min. You need to get the TA to at least 50 and the pH "should" start to respond and come back up to the 7.2 range. If after getting the TA to 50 the pH doesn't respond, you can increase the TA to 60, then 70 if needed.