Opening my pool and want to do it real nice this time

[monsterman]

ok

 

[Kaylee34]

I'm sorry Monte. I'm just catching up also.
I have to work tomorrow but I'll try to be around as much as possible.
I'll check back before I have to head out in the morning.
Which test kit did you order?

 

[Mdragger88]

hard to tell- not CRYSTAL- clear- maybe a slight bit cloudy- very hard to tell. When I get up tomorrow morning at 530 to remove the solar cover and then get ready for work- I will no more about the color- will be in touch. But yes the water was as you say- tinted- on the aqua side-Not as blue- since my liner is blue- it usually looks nice and blue the water- but now I can see the difference between the area where the water ends and the water in the pool- a different shade if you will. I received the test kit today- Not sure where to begin- I need to read up on it I guess- so many things in there- don't want to do anything quickly without knowing what I am doing first? very confused and frustrated at this point. Wish I had someone in person to do this with me the first time and walk me thru it. I will try to read it tomorrow evening- but my wife made dinner plans- so it may not be until Saturday AM that I get a chance to start the test kit.

No worries
Just do 1 test at a time

https://youtube.com/@TF100TestKit

 

[monsterman]

I'm sorry Monte. I'm just catching up also.
I have to work tomorrow but I'll try to be around as much as possible.
I'll check back before I have to head out in the morning.
Which test kit did you order?

tf100 with stirrers

 

[monsterman]

pics of pool this morning at 530 after rmoving solar cover( I just added another few ounce of liquid chlorine)-- I reall do not like the color-- definitely not bluish-- more greenish or aqua-

 

[monsterman]

Just did CYA test- about 95-100 CYA-- much better than 176 from the pool store--Now I need to fix the color of the pol stat!- But I have many questions I shook the CYA water bottle by hand because there were no instructions on how to use the stirrer that i bought. Also, the red-capped bottle was marked CYA mixing bottle- do I have to snip off the end to take drops out- I was not sure so I slowly poured it out by removing the whole cap from that bottle. Other than that it was simple. Now for the chlorine test- in the graduate cylinder it says to fill with 10 ml of pool water- OK- but then it says to add 1 heaping scoop of the R-0870 powder and swirl to mix( again about the stirrer process?) But what is a heaping scoop?-- is that blue paddle-looking thing a scoop. and that is quite a small jar- how long will that last? It says 10 gm but how much powder is a heaping scoop if the blue paddle is the scooper(it is flat like a paddle) This way I know how long that powder will last. That is it for now-- I have to go to work-- but that is my CYA level on the first test. Also, it says that you can keep the solution that you just made IN the CYA mixing bottle-?? How is that right-- shouldn't what I just mixed in that CYA bottle be thrown out and start anew each time? The video from the youtube site on tf test kits said to keep it???? I cleaned out the graduated cylinder before and after- so that is clean. But the actual liquid in the mixing bottle- what to do with that? Lots of little questions--
1) how to use the stirrer
2) the heaping scoop- how much and with what item and how do you know what exactly is a heaping scoop on a flat paddle stick?
3)The leftover liquid in the CYA mixing bottle- what to do with that.

And lastly- again- I am leaving my filter on all day until I get home tonight and then will add MORE Liquid chlorine-( today is going to 91 degrees)- very hot----so I will replenish my chlorine this evening when I get home.. But any quick fixes for the green tint??? Clarifier?--- I am sure you guys know what that item is-- if not please check the web and let me know-- believe it or not if my water turns blue- I will sleep again finally. really!!!! So please advise and remember there are always GRAY areas in life and this might be one time-- I just want a blue pool now and then we can keep fixing it down the road-- like Deb said in an above reply- there is nothing that cannot be fixed-- so if I can use a capful of clarifier- please let me know- I did last year and it works like a charm.

 

[Newdude]

the red-capped bottle was marked CYA mixing bottle- do I have to snip off the end to take drops out-

Yes. Cut a small hole for finer control when filling the tube. Preferably cut the excess tip just to the edge and pierce it with a pin to make your hole.

Just did CYA test- about 95-100 CYA

First things first, the test needs bright light, preferably outdoors mid day with no clouds.

90+ is sketchy to read. Do a dilution test. Make the mix and shake well. Dump out half of it. Fill again with pool water. Run the test and double the result.

But what is a heaping scoop?

A snowball like rounded scoop.

is that blue paddle-looking thing a scoop

Yes

is quite a small jar- how long will that last?

Surprisingly long. You aren't taking nearly as much out of it as you think.

, it says that you can keep the solution that you just made IN the CYA mixing bottle-??

It can be reused over and over today. Many of us try to get best 2 out of 3, or even more that agree. The other tests you have to dump and start over. For CYA you can suck it back up and do it as many times as you need. Next time, use a fresh supply.

But the actual liquid in the mixing bottle- what to do with that?

Dump it in the sink or anywhere outside. It's harmless.

1) how to use the stirrer

Fill the vial to 10ml or 25ml (test depending). Add the 'pill' / stir bar. Turn on, then procede with test once it's spinning away.

But any quick fixes for the green tint???

We don't have proof yet but it's probably iron from the recent fill. It would need to be filtered out and we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Clarifier won't help.

You're doing GREAT.

Also please get us a FC reading now that you know to use a rounded off scoop. It should make the (10ml) vial go hot pink. Then each drop is 1/2 FC. For example, 10 drops is 5 FC.

 

[clambert1273]

My take on the water color / clarity is it resembles one of the stages water gets to during slam. It's the stage before the cloudy blue then goes clear after filtering a while. It would appear to me that you had some stuff brewing & all the chlorine has been working to kill it. I could be wrong but when I saw the latest pics it was immediately what I thought of. From here it would be dosing high enough & waiting for filter to do it's thing.

 

[Newdude]

^^^^^ also very possible. Again, we don't know yet but we will get there Monte. Take a breath and we'll get this right.

 

[Sarah and Nate]

@montek I want to reiterate - for the blue scoop, hold the paddle end and scoop with the tiny rounded end.
Good luck!!!

 

[monsterman]

Yes. Cut a small hole for finer control when filling the tube. Preferably cut the excess tip just to the edge and pierce it with a pin to make your hole.

First things first, the test needs bright light, preferably outdoors mid day with no clouds.

90+ is sketchy to read. Do a dilution test. Make the mix and shake well. Dump out half of it. Fill again with pool water. Run the test and double the result.

A snowball like rounded scoop.

Yes

Surprisingly long. You aren't taking nearly as much out of it as you think.

It can be reused over and over today. Many of us try to get best 2 out of 3, or even more that agree. The other tests you have to dump and start over. For CYA you can suck it back up and do it as many times as you need. Next time, use a fresh supply.

Dump it in the sink or anywhere outside. It's harmless.

Fill the vial to 10ml or 25ml (test depending). Add the 'pill' / stir bar. Turn on, then procede with test once it's spinning away.

We don't have proof yet but it's probably iron from the recent fill. It would need to be filtered out and we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Clarifier won't help.

You're doing GREAT.

Also please get us a FC reading now that you know to use a rounded off scoop. It should make the (10ml) vial go hot pink. Then each drop is 1/2 FC. For example, 10 drops is 5 FC.

about the CYA test- ? a dilution test?? so I am at work and I totally forgot what i did at 530 this morning-- I believe what u r saying is that when I put pool water to the bottom of the label and then add the CYA coded bottle- to the top of the label-and mix- that is the solution - that can be kept- BUT that is the mixture that I put into the graduated cylinder- so you are saying whatever is left in that mixing bottle can be kept(for how long before it is no good)
as for the dilution test-- what am i sucking back up- the mix between the pool water and the CYA reagent?? and where am I putting that? because don't i have to fill it again to the top of the label- boy I am confused.

and what is the pill/stir bar-- I saw a cross shaped white plastic item in the kit-- and the battery operated item- so for example when I added that mixture today for the CYA test- what and how would i use the stirrer? Any pics or videos on the web?

 

[monsterman]

Yes. Cut a small hole for finer control when filling the tube. Preferably cut the excess tip just to the edge and pierce it with a pin to make your hole.

First things first, the test needs bright light, preferably outdoors mid day with no clouds.

90+ is sketchy to read. Do a dilution test. Make the mix and shake well. Dump out half of it. Fill again with pool water. Run the test and double the result.

A snowball like rounded scoop.

Yes

Surprisingly long. You aren't taking nearly as much out of it as you think.

It can be reused over and over today. Many of us try to get best 2 out of 3, or even more that agree. The other tests you have to dump and start over. For CYA you can suck it back up and do it as many times as you need. Next time, use a fresh supply.

Dump it in the sink or anywhere outside. It's harmless.

Fill the vial to 10ml or 25ml (test depending). Add the 'pill' / stir bar. Turn on, then procede with test once it's spinning away.

We don't have proof yet but it's probably iron from the recent fill. It would need to be filtered out and we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Clarifier won't help.

You're doing GREAT.

Also please get us a FC reading now that you know to use a rounded off scoop. It should make the (10ml) vial go hot pink. Then each drop is 1/2 FC. For example, 10 drops is 5 FC.

and about what u say about the FC--I did not do it yet- but you said 10 drops is 5 FC- do you mean 5 PPM??

 

[Newdude]

that can be kept- BUT that is the mixture that I put into the graduated cylinder- so you are saying whatever is left in that mixing bottle can be kept(for how long before it is no good)

The mix you pour into the tube can be poured or sucked back into the squirter and you can repeat the test over and over. (Within reason, say, 20 mins tops. Lol). Next time you test, use new sample and R0013.

as for the dilution test--

Ok. Real simple but sounds confusing.

Fill the bottle halfway with pool water
Fill the other half with tap water
Shake well
Dump half out
Refill with R0013
Shake well
Pour into tube to test
Double test result. (50 = 100)

and what is the pill/stir bar-- I saw a cross shaped white plastic item in the kit

That's it. That's the mixing 'bar'

Fill the vial to 10ml or 25ml (per which test)
Drop the X bar in
Turn on stirrer
Procede with test

*CYA and PH test don't use the stirrer.

and about what u say about the FC--I did not do it yet- but you said 10 drops is 5 FC- do you mean 5 PPM??

Yes.

Fill vial to 10ml
Add X bar
Add rounded/heaping scoop of R0870 (powder)
Turn on stirrer
Drop R0871 slowly until clear

Each drop was 1/2 ppm FC.

10 drops = 5 ppm FC
12 drops = 6 ppm FC
(Etc etc)

It seems like ALOT. Believe me, I know. But read any of my steps above. Any one step couldn't be easier. By your 3rd or 4th run though the tests, you're a pro. Scouts honor.

 

[Kaylee34]

You got this Monte!

 

[Kaylee34]

CYA level is 90 or higher, repeat the test adjusting the procedure as follows:

1. Fill the mixing bottle to the lower mark with pool water.
2. Continue filling the mixing bottle to the upper mark with tap water.
3. Shake briefly to mix.
4. Pour off half of the contents of the mixing bottle, so it is again filled to the lower mark.
5. Fill to the upper mark with R-0013. The upper mark may be labeled as 14 ml, or not labeled, or there may not be a mark and you fill to the base of the neck of the bottle.
6. Cap and then shake the mixing bottle for 30 seconds.
7. Stand outdoors with your back to the sun and hold the view tube at about waist level.
8. Slowly fill the view tube to each marked level, GLANCING in the tube.
9. The test is complete when you can no longer clearly see the black dot with a GLANCE when held at waist level.
10. Multiply the final result by 2. Example 50 x 2 = CYA level 100

 

[monsterman]

Just got home and here are new pics-- from a distance looks aqua but up close - a little bluer-- and I can see the bottom-- as mentioned will test it tomorrow when my head is on straight-- after I come home tonight I will add some more liquid chlorine--?
and then will test in the AM and let u guys know and maybe you can tell me what to do from that point on--

 

[monsterman]

if you would just compare the pics I sent from 530- this morning till just now-- so much cleaner-RIGHT? I turned the filter on at 530 AM this morning and will let it run thru the night tonight as well. Pray for me guys.

 

[Newdude]

maybe you can tell me what to do from that point on

I promised you that already. We're all in this together now.

There is no learning like doing and very soon it'll start to click.

Pray for me guys.

I promised you that already also. Dump and pray is dead. Test and add what it actually needs, when it needs it, is how we roll from here on out.

 

[monsterman]

I must admit one thing-- last year when I looked out my kitchen window- the pool looked crystal clear--- not that it is not getting better- BUT from a distance like from my kitchen window it still has that slight aqua hint of green - but it is clearer than this morning- but not all that blue yet-- hopefully we can find the root cause and fix - thank you again have a great night.
P.S.-- I just found out that it is going to rain most of the day here tomorrow- will that screw anything up? Go figure I work all week and it is nice- on the weekend it rains-- what a life.

 

[Newdude]

hopefully we can find the root cause and fix -

You have the TFP army on your side my friend. We'll get there. All we ask is for some patience. There is potentially years worth of things to undo, and no magic wands to make it *poof* better. It will take some time and effort but we'll get there.

I just found out that it is going to rain most of the day here tomorrow- will that screw anything up?

The CYA test needs overhead sun. (As opposed to late afternoon/early morning sun).

Also, if it doesn't rain I will probably be toiling in the yard for hours at a clip tomorrow. If it does rain, I will try and get all the weekly errands done, so I might not be around at times. But we have people. My oh MY do we have people. You'll get your help either way.