Questions about levels, why I am getting skewed results, and quick thoughts, advice while I wait to receive one of your test kits

[thenewpoolgirl]

I will preface this by saying I have recently purchased one of your test kits, it just hasn't arrived yet.
That being said, I have taken over full pool responsibilities from my husband because he seemed to think that shocking the pool was the answer to everything. I am a fanatical researcher and have learned a whole lot about pool chemicals and balancing. of them. I took my water to a pool store simply to see if they're reading snatched my readings. Apparently they don't know what they're doing.. they told me I needed to shock my pool even though my chlorine level was a solid three. I probably should have left that alone but I had to be a smarty pants and tell them everything they were wrong about LOL.
I am now contacting you because I want to know definitively what the correct levels should be for my pool. I have printed out the pool levels from your site and I have just a few questions and would like some quick advice while I wait for your test kit to arrive.
12000 G saltwater pool
Current values:
ALK 120
PH 7. 2
HARDNESS B/W 250 - 500
CHL 3
STAB has consistently been near 0
those are the only measurements on my strips.

Any thoughts or advice appreciated.
Michelle

 

[JimMarshall]

What kind of shock have you been adding up to now? If youre holding chlorine at all during the day it's highly unlikely that your CYA(stabilizer) is actually zero. This is why we call them "guess strips".

How does your water look?

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! Great to hear you have chosen to ignore the advice of the pool store (and your husband - ha) and are taking control of your pool. About your numbers:

- PH can usually be anywhere between 7.2-7.8.
- Your TA is a bit elevated (if accurate), but not a problem right now as your pH is on the low end. If you ever find the pH rising too quickly, then we can address the TA. For now, leave it alone.
- CH should be a minimum of 250 for a plaster pool. If you have vinyl or Fiberglass it doesn't matter unless you have a tile waterline or a heater that mandates it.
- FC and CYA get balanced together for proper sanitation and algae control. For that we use the FC/CYA Levels.

Once you receive your test kit, run some new numbers and we'll guide you through this accurately. For now, don't take any actions based on those store tests. Just add about 3-4 ppm worth of liquid chlorine to the pool each day. That should hold you over for now.

 

[Texas Splash]

Also make sure to update your signature. See the link for help and let us know if you have any questions.

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[thenewpoolgirl]

What kind of shock have you been adding up to now? If youre holding chlorine at all during the day it's highly unlikely that your CYA(stabilizer) is actually zero. This is why we call them "guess strips".

How does your water look?

Sam added shock earlier on summer - i haven't added any. Pool is beautiful! I clean alot.

 

[an1vrsy]

Welcome to TFP! Your pool looks gorgeous. Which recommended kit to purchase? Once it arrives, post up a full set of test results like below;
FC
CC
pH
TA
CYA
CH

The posters here and mods will gladly help you keep the pool sanitized and balanced.

 

[Texas Splash]

Pool is beautiful! I clean alot.

Don't let the clear water fool you. It can be deceiving. Continue to add that 3-4 ppm worth of liquid chlorine each day. A pool is like a pet and it eats chlorin every day. Once you get the test kit, we'll guide you from there.

 

[thenewpoolgirl]

Also make sure to update your signature. See the link for help and let us know if you have any questions.

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool is fiberglass saltwater - it's all in the signature i just created

 

[thenewpoolgirl]

Don't let the clear water fool you. It can be deceiving. Continue to add that 3-4 ppm worth of liquid chlorine each day. A pool is like a pet and it eats chlorin every day. Once you get the test kit, we'll guide you from there.

We have a chlorinater on our pool ( the info is now in my signature)

 

[JimMarshall]

Sam added shock earlier on summer - i haven't added any. Pool is beautiful! I clean alot.

"shock" can refer to any one of a number of chemicals, each of which has a by-product/side effect (some worse than others). That's why it's important to know what exactly you are adding.

 

[Texas Splash]

it's all in the signature i just created

Fantastic! Thank you. Hopefully your salt cell is doing a decent job of maintaining the FC level, but we'll know for sure once you get your kit and can post your own results. That will be key.

 

[thenewpoolgirl]

"shock" can refer to any one of a number of chemicals, each of which has a by-product/side effect (some worse than others). That's why it's important to know what exactly you are adding.

I'm not really sure - he bought it from pool store from some kid whose sole purpose is to sell things lol. It was months ago and I haven't shocked since then.

 

[thenewpoolgirl]

Fantastic! Thank you. Hopefully your salt cell is doing a decent job of maintaining the FC level, but we'll know for sure once you get your kit and can post your own results. That will be key.

Here is what I purchased:
Order Summary
1 - TF-100 Salt Test Kit @ $187.00
Optional Items (see below for details): Smart Stir
Optional Items (see below for details): SLAM Option
Optional Items (see below for details): Standard Sampler

 

[thenewpoolgirl]

Here is what I purchased:
Order Summary
1 - TF-100 Salt Test Kit @ $187.00
Optional Items (see below for details): Smart Stir
Optional Items (see below for details): SLAM Option
Optional Items (see below for details): Standard Sampler

It's that sufficient?

 

[Texas Splash]

It's that sufficient?

Absolutely! You will be thrilled with everything when you get it. Tfteskits is really good about getting packages in the mail quickly.

 

[thenewpoolgirl]

Absolutely! You will be thrilled with everything when you get it. Tfteskits is really good about getting packages in the mail quickly.

That's good to know. I got really turned off with the test strips that I had because I bought three different kinds and they all gave me three different results. The Clorox kit has an app and all it does is tell you to buy all these weird things for your pool, and I wasn't crazy about that. I like to use ingredients that are pretty natural and that you can easily tell what they are, like a baking soda, borax, things that are relatively normal. So I'm pretty excited about dealing with you guys and getting started

 

[Texas Splash]

I bought three different kinds and they all gave me three different results.

And I can just about promise you the same thing if you went to three different pool stores for free testing. You have have a HUGE sense relief or personal ownership once you start testing your own water. Of all the things we have to rely upon "experts" to do for us (computers, car repairs, HVAC, etc), testing your own water is still something we can do on our own. You'll be very pleased, and the time/money saved from all the running around will pay for the kit itself.

 

[thenewpoolgirl]

Hi I got my test kit today and I'm really psyched, except where it says the chlorine job test it says still the chlorine only graduated cylinder, which one is the chlorine only cylinder? I don't see anything that says chlorine only. I'm trying not to be overwhelmed with the rest I'm pretty sure I can follow the directions. It looks pretty thorough

 

[thenewpoolgirl]

Hi all - got the really cool great kit today - can't figure out what the chlorine only graduated cylinder is - i don't see anything that says that. It's it the one that says CYA view tube?

 

[mknauss]

The picture on the website shows a graduated cylinder with a Chlorine Only sticker. Did you not get two graduated cylinders (does not include the CYA cylinder)?