TF-100 alkalinity confusion!! PLEASE HELP!

[thefloatqueen]

So I’m testing for the TA and as soon as the sample turned green, I began dropping the R-009, swirling, cleaning off cap, and I’m seeing tiny pink drops when I first started dropping the R-009 solution but water stayed green. 22 drops later the bottle is pink. Does this count as “red”? What am I doing wrong?! It is raining and I don’t have chemicals in the pool yet if that helps. Chlorine level is 0 and I’m getting somewhere between 7.5 and 7.8 pH readings. This TA is so frustrating!! I don’t want to keep dropping it until I run out! Ahhhhh this pool is going to be the death of me lol HELPPPP please! Thanks in advance!

 

[thefloatqueen]

Oh and it’s raining today.

EDIT: nvm I already said that. Ugh need my coffee lol

 

[thefloatqueen]

Here it is 30 drops later smh. It looks more red in the pic but I’m person it’s pink.

 

[frogabog]

Put chlorine in. That's what's important. And CYA. See FC/CYA Levels

Don't worry about TA for the moment, but if you must...

What happened between drop 22 and 30? It can turn pink, but the next drop usually goes to actual red. Add another drop and it won't change, then you disregard that last drop that didn't do anything.

 

[thefloatqueen]

It just kept turning a darker pink but no where near red. More like a hot pink. I posted a pic.

 

[thefloatqueen]

It flatlined after 26 drops approximately. And I’m following instructions exactly as they say with my TF-100 kit.

 

[ajw22]

Swirl more. This is where the Speedstir Magnetic Stirrer really helps testing.

What you call pink is the red endpoint. It is the color change that matters. Green to red/pink.

 

[frogabog]

What you posted is "red". The pink is considerably less red and means you're on the verge of becoming red. Try again and make sure you swirl well between each drop.

 

[thefloatqueen]

So I should go with 22 when the entire bottle turned light pink? Or the initial couple drops that were pink before I started to swirl? Should I just shock the d*mn pool and try this again tomorrow since we are getting some light on and off rain?

 

[thefloatqueen]

I did swirl well. Watched a million YouTube videos, read posts on here, everything. It stays pink. Around 22 is when the solution was no longer green at all.

 

[thefloatqueen]

Also in the beginning after each drop, wipe, and swirl, it started to turn pink at the bottom of the plastic cylinder but green above that despite the swirling. Talk about frustrating to say the least...

 

[ajw22]

When the entire testing sample is not green after swirling. Green to red/pink is a major color change.

 

[ajw22]

Also in the beginning after each drop, wipe, and swirl, it started to turn pink at the bottom of the plastic cylinder but green above that despite the swirling. Talk about frustrating to say the least...

You need the Speedstir Magnetic Stirrer

 

[thefloatqueen]

And I don’t have the Speedster swirl thing but I’ll order it. What do I do in the meantime??

 

[frogabog]

Why do you think you need to shock?

What you are referring to as pink is actually red. Pink on this test is quite a bit lighter.

Add enough chlorine to get to your target for your CYA. At 0 CYA that's 3ppm. Then get the CYA in.

 

[thefloatqueen]

Ordering it today. Still don’t know how much or what chemicals to put in the pool or what I should put as my TA reading on the PoolMath app.

 

[thefloatqueen]

3 ppm of TA or CYA? Sorry we keep typing simultaneously so if I sound redundant that’s why lol

 

[ajw22]

TA only affects pH and your pH is good and doesn’t need to be adjusted. Call TA whatever you want and move on.

Fix your CYA and CL.

 

[thefloatqueen]

Will do. I’ll have to find out how much I need.

 

[thefloatqueen]

I have all the chemicals from pool school minus the calcium increaser. I forgot that. I have 64 gallons of regular (no scent, not splashless) bleach as well as chlorine granules (see photos).