Question about water parameters

[heifetz17]

Hi, I’m setting up a new 6000 rectangle pool, and I’m a little confused about my water test results. I’m using HTH chemicals and their test strips with the help of their app.

My first test results were FAC 0, TA 0, pH 7.5, TH 200, CYA 0

The app recommended a pound of shock, 9 pounds of alkalinity up, and 2 pounds of stabilizer. I had the shock already so I added that and went to the store for the other stuff.

I retested before adding anything else and my results were FAC 10, TA 0, pH 7.5, TH 200, CYA 79

I added the alkalinity up and it’s been several hours now. I traded again just to see what the numbers are doing and my latest results are FAC 10, TA 80, pH 7.5, TH 200, CYA 79

Everything I’ve read says cal-hypo shock doesn’t affect CYA. I have not added my stabilizer yet, so why am I getting a CYA reading across several different tests after only adding shock and alkalinity?

Am I on the right track to getting everything set up? Should I still add the stabilizer and should I wait until the chlorine level goes down a bit to add it? When is the most appropriate time to add my chlorine tablets to my floater?

Thank you!

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
Please stop adding chemicals based off of test strips. As an example, a TA of 0 will have a pH of 4.5. Not 7.5. The strips are worthless.
Order a proper test kit. See Pool Test Kits - Further Reading
If you have not added any stabilizer, there is none in the water. Add 30 ppm CYA worth of stabilizer using the sock method. Add 3 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine each day until you get your test kit.
I suggest you read through Pool Care Basics - Trouble Free Pool and even look at a few of our videos TFP-TV - Trouble Free Pool

 

[PoolStored]

Welcome to TFP!!!

I would second @mknauss.

Get a test kit, and follow his instruction.

Why? This is why...Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?

 

[heifetz17]

Thank you for the info. I use a liquid test kit for my aquarium so I’m aware liquid testing is more accurate than test strips. My liquid kit does pH so I’ll do that to compare findings and I’ll get a kit ordered in the meantime and follow your advice.

 

[mknauss]

Your TA is going to be sky high. There was no need to add the baking soda. The pH will rise rapidly due to the high TA. Neither of those are that urgent from a sanitation standpoint. The CYA and chlorine are urgent. You will not need to add any calcium regardless what any pool store says.

 

[heifetz17]

Sure enough, the pH doesn’t register on my high side nor my low side pH liquid tests, so I believe it’s in excess of 8.8. I’ve added the CYA and I’ll either pick up a test kit today or order one if I can’t find one at the pool store. The test strip still shows 7.5.

Regarding the tablets, I have 1 inch and 3 inch slow dissolve tablets. What’s the best to use and when should I add it?

 

[mknauss]

Pool stores do not carry proper test kits.
Keep the tablets for when you cannot be around the pool for a few days (vacations, etc). Use liquid chlorine.

 

[heifetz17]

I just picked up an HTH 6 way kit. I read on these forums that it’s a decent kit at least until I get my hands on one of the recommended kits. I added CYA as recommended and I understand it’ll take a while for those results to show up.

My current tests are as follows:

Liquid test TC 10 (this is an estimation as the color is darker than the test goes to), pH 8.2, TA 180, TH 80, CYA 0

Test strip FC 10, pH 8.2, TA between 180 and 240, probably around 200, TH between 100 and 200, CYA between 0 and 40

I’m assuming I should wait until the chlorine goes down before dosing with liquid chlorine? If my calculation is correct 2.5 oz should put me right at 3ppm in a 6000 gallon pool correct?

Anything else I should do right now?

 

[mknauss]

The chlorine level likely is effecting the pH reading. So be careful adding any acid.
Test TC daily. Keep it at target level based on the CYA you added. See FC/CYA Levels

If my calculation is correct 2.5 oz should put me right at 3ppm in a 6000 gallon pool correct?

No. It will take 24 oz of 10% liquid chlorine to add 3 ppm FC to your pool volume.

 

[heifetz17]

So today my results seem much better. Chlorine is at 5, pH 7.4, harness is a bit low at 100 and alkalinity is a bit high at 180, CYA 35.

What if anything should I do for the alkalinity and harness?

 

[PoolStored]

What if anything should I do for the alkalinity and harness?

Nothing.
CH is not necessary in a temporary vinyl pool (I'm assuming that you do not have a heater).
TA will come down over time. Maintain pH. When it rises to 8, reduce with muratic acid back to 7.6. Rinse, repeat.

 

[Mdragger88]

& use
PoolMath for calculating amounts.
It uses tfp recommended levels

What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?

Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[PoolStored]

Anything else I should do right now?

Go swim. Duh.

 

[Mdragger88]

Just so you’re reading it correctly the left side values are for total chlorine & the right side values are for total bromine so ignore the right side numbers.