Newcomer - question on testing

[TribeOfFive]

Hi,

Third season into pool ownership and am finally taking the step of diving into TFP. I’ve used Leslie’s the whole way and had really good water quality to date but have spent a lot of time and money keeping it up. Last year I started using the Leslie’s AccuBlue but this year bought the TF-Pro Salt kit to do it the right way. I did my first comparison testing today a few minutes apart and I have to be doing something wrong. The results are just so completely different on some tests that it can’t be just misreading. Also I am worried because I have trouble with color matching so I feel like I could be off there too. Any advice for a newcomer who wants to do it properly? It’s a 28,000 gallon fiberglass pool with an autopilot SWG PPC- (RC-35)? I attached the latest testing which the first two are the accublue and the last one is the TF-PRO SALT testing system. THANK YOU to anyone who can help!!

 

[Newdude]

I did my first comparison testing today a few minutes apart and I have to be doing something wron

The 2nd test #s don't match with Taylor math. If you added drops and each drop is 10, how did you get 59 for TA, or 64 for CH with multiples of 10 or 25?

And Welcome to TFP !!!

 

[proavia]

Welcome to TFP!

Let's focus only on the results from the TF-Pro Salt test kit.
Have a read thru the extended test kit article.

Extended Test Kit Directions Archives

www.troublefreepool.com

Be sure to hold the reagent bottles vertical when dispensing drops.
Allow the drops to fully form on the bottle tip - don't squeeze too hard or force the drops off the tip.
Dispense at the rate of one drop per second.

No need to compare to the AccuBlue as this will only lead to additional confusion.
If you have difficulty determining the color change, maybe have someone assist until you get a better feel for it.

 

[TribeOfFive]

Thank you! I’ll read that now!

 

[TribeOfFive]

The 2nd test #s don't match with Taylor math. If you added drops and each drop is 10, how did you get 59 for TA, or 64 for CH with multiples of 10 or 25?

And Welcome to TFP !!!

I’m going to retest and try again. Im sure I did it wrong

 

[proavia]

For the CYA test, if your result falls between two numbered lines on the test vial, round up to the larger of the two numbers. If result falls between 30 and 40, round up - your CYA is 40.

 

[Newdude]

I’m going to retest and try again. Im sure I did it wrong

Take scrap paper or such and block off everything but one test. Gather the supplies and lay them out in order. You don't even need to know what any of them are, just that you need that bottle(s). Then go one stoopid simple step at a time. If you zoom out it looks like rocket science but it cannot be simpler.

 

[TribeOfFive]

I think I got it much closer here I deleted the Leslie‘s log. Do you think the color matches up on the pH and the chlorine to what I recorded? I also did the specific chlorine test and it took 32 drops to change back to clear

 

[PoolStored]

Fill to this line for the pH test, then add the drops.

I also did the specific chlorine test and it took 32 drops to change back to clear

What size sample did you use?
If 25mL, then your FC is 6.4.
If 10mL, then your FC is 16.

 

[TribeOfFive]

Fill to this line for the pH test, then add the drops.
View attachment 637671


What size sample did you use?
If 25mL, then your FC is 6.4.
If 10mL, then your FC is 16.

Omg I am dummy. I thought max meant max line to fill the water. that’s the max the result should be now I get it

 

[PoolStored]

I also did the specific chlorine test and it took 32 drops to change back to clear

What size sample did you use?
If 25mL, then your FC is 6.4.
If 10mL, then your FC is 16.

Which is it?

By the way, I would just ignore the chlorine test in the comparator.
Use 10 mL sample in the vial and use the powder and reagent to test FC. Each drop is .5 FC.

 

[proavia]

If FC is >10, the pH test is invalid

 

[TribeOfFive]

If FC is >10, the pH test is invalid

Very good to know! My FC is definitely very high. My own fault for starting off the season with the Accublue that said I needed 6.5lbs of powder plus I guess I just need to wait it out until it burns off. Otherwise the water looks excellent right now