- May 19, 2021
- 207
- Pool Size
- 12900
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
Background:
This is my first post, but I have spent numerous hours here researching, and do believe in the practices here. I kept an intex seasonal pool for 4 years (prior to finding this site) as part of the decision making process for going bigger. I found in the first 3 months that I did not want the underpowered pump and filter that came in the box. I upgraded to a larger intex pump and sand filter and added their SWG. Those years I did take my water to the pool store, and followed their advice. Never had any problems, but it was 2800 gallons, and it was emptied and taken down every year. We just had a ~13000 gal FG pool installed this winter.
Today:
(I'm hoping that my signature has all the equipment details, will see when I post.)
After a few weeks of using my test kit, and feeling I was really getting it down, I took my water to the store for testing because I feel that a couple things seem less than obvious when I am testing specifically pH color and CYA dot.
I am attaching a pic of my own pH test to see if other's eyes can verify what the 'color' is. To me it looks like it might fall between 7.2 and 7.5 - a little low. I would guess 7.3 or so - but certainly not as low as the store lists 7.1?
Here are how the readings compare. The tests were done from the same bottle within an hour of each other. --- and I have read enough on here to know we don't just trust the pool store tests. Oh - and I did buy something. A ball.
The store states that the TA is adjusted due to the affect of CYA. Really? Anyone know what their equation might be?
I was trying to do a sanity check - and instead feel insanity. CYA is hard for me to read, because I feel like I may be seeing a phantom dot. But I started around 30 a few weeks ago, and have been working to bring it up (using TF-Pro) to 70. maybe I am under-estimating - but certainly not by that much. The dot is pretty clear at the 100 line.
I am trying to get my numbers as good as possible, because I would like to do the borax addition (for pH buffering and Salt Cell life)
This is my first post, but I have spent numerous hours here researching, and do believe in the practices here. I kept an intex seasonal pool for 4 years (prior to finding this site) as part of the decision making process for going bigger. I found in the first 3 months that I did not want the underpowered pump and filter that came in the box. I upgraded to a larger intex pump and sand filter and added their SWG. Those years I did take my water to the pool store, and followed their advice. Never had any problems, but it was 2800 gallons, and it was emptied and taken down every year. We just had a ~13000 gal FG pool installed this winter.
Today:
(I'm hoping that my signature has all the equipment details, will see when I post.)
After a few weeks of using my test kit, and feeling I was really getting it down, I took my water to the store for testing because I feel that a couple things seem less than obvious when I am testing specifically pH color and CYA dot.
I am attaching a pic of my own pH test to see if other's eyes can verify what the 'color' is. To me it looks like it might fall between 7.2 and 7.5 - a little low. I would guess 7.3 or so - but certainly not as low as the store lists 7.1?
Here are how the readings compare. The tests were done from the same bottle within an hour of each other. --- and I have read enough on here to know we don't just trust the pool store tests. Oh - and I did buy something. A ball.
| Test | Mine | Pool Store |
| FC | 5 | 4.08 |
| CC | .5 | .58 |
| pH | 7.3 | 7.1 |
| TA | 70 | 33* |
| CH | 350 | 305 |
| CYA | 70 | 103 |
| Salt | 3600 | 3300 |
The store states that the TA is adjusted due to the affect of CYA. Really? Anyone know what their equation might be?
I was trying to do a sanity check - and instead feel insanity. CYA is hard for me to read, because I feel like I may be seeing a phantom dot. But I started around 30 a few weeks ago, and have been working to bring it up (using TF-Pro) to 70. maybe I am under-estimating - but certainly not by that much. The dot is pretty clear at the 100 line.
I am trying to get my numbers as good as possible, because I would like to do the borax addition (for pH buffering and Salt Cell life)
I'm seeing your pH at about 7.2. No need to do anything with that or the TA for that matter. The pH will probably rise slowly on its own anyway. As for the CYA, I trust you test of 70 before the pool store. You appear to be a non-salt pool, so I wouldn't raise the CYA any further though. Be sure to keep the FC elevated to that CYA as noted on the 
