TA test turns red immediately after R-0008

[baslingtons]

We have a TF-100 test kit and have used it for many years.

We just refreshed the entire kit because of a very strange reading using our older test chemicals (2+ years old). Following the directions for the TA test, as soon as we add 5 drops of R-0008 the mixture immediately turns a fairly dark red. I tried adding R-009 to see if it would change colors, but stopped after about 35 drops because it hadn't changed anything.

We don't understand why the color immediately goes red, all other years of testing it performs as expected.
Should we complete the test steps for TA to give a better indication of the problem?
Run other tests?
Also we have never had a PH reading this low before

Water is very clear and all debris cleaned out, so from looking at it it seems just fine.

Details:
- About 26,000 gallon in ground vinyl pool (16x36 rectangular).
- Chlorine is in the 1-2 range
- PH is way down at below 6.8 -- looks a lot like the Chlorine yellow We have already added about 16 pounds of Borax (20 mule) over the course of a week to 10 days, only adding 4 lbs at at time. That hasn't seemed to raise the PH so far. We also have the returns pointed up to add aeration. Run the pump about 4.5 hours a day.
- Didn't test FC/CC because of the strange reading above.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
If the sample turns red, pink, or yellow, you are done, your TA is zero, and your PH is very very low (4.5 or lower).
Use Soda Ash aka Washing Soda. Calculate how much to use using Poolmath. Set pH of 6.8 now and 7.5 as target. Enter 0 for TA. Add amount it states and circulate 30 minutes. Test pH, repeat until your pH is in the 7's, then test TA,.

You have vinegar in the pool.
Do you use trichlor for daily maintenance?

 

[JamesW]

Try this:

When the sample goes red right away, add R-0010 until the sample goes green counting the drops.

How do you chlorinate?

Any chance that someone added a lot of acid?

When is the last time that you had a good reading on the pH and TA?

 

[baslingtons]

Welcome to the forum!
If the sample turns red, pink, or yellow, you are done, your TA is zero, and your PH is very very low (4.5 or lower).
Use Soda Ash aka Washing Soda. Calculate how much to use using Poolmath. Set pH of 6.8 now and 7.5 as target. Enter 0 for TA. Add amount it states and circulate 30 minutes. Test pH, repeat until your pH is in the 7's, then test TA,.

You have vinegar in the pool.
Do you use trichlor for daily maintenance?

Thank you. Yes, we do use trichlor. Suppose we should stop using that and use just regular liquid chlorine bleach.?

 

[JamesW]

Try the test again, but instead of using R-009 to change from green to red, use R-0010 to change from red to green.

When was the last good TA test?

How many pounds of trichlor have been added since the last TA test?

What is your CYA?