total newb, don't know where to start with my TF-100

Jump to latest Follow Reply
G

garybtru

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2017
169
Upstate NY
Hi all,

I uncovered my pool too early and let it sit with the cover off for about 9 days due to non-stop rain and 40º weather (fun!). So far I've backwashed my new sand filter a bit but haven't flipped it to filter mode or done any tests.

I got my TF-100 in the mail and it's kind of a lot of info all at once, so I don't know where to start. I know I need to SLAM eventually, but which test(s) should I run first? It's partly cloudy/sunny today but supposed to rain again this weekend (50%). :(

Here's a pic of my pool I just took.

kQevkEV.jpg


Thanks!
 
:wave: Welcome to TFP!!!

Just start 1 test at a time. There is really nothing tricky about the tests. Just count drops until the the last drop does not cause a color change and then don't count that drop.

Plenty of of people here to help.

I would just start with the comparator in the blue box. To see if any chlorine is in the water and what your pH is.
If you get no yellow on the chlorine, there is really no need to do the FAS-DPD chlorine test with the powder.
Then do the TA and then the CH and then the CYA.

Easy Peasy ;)
 
Rollercoastr said:
When you say you haven't put the valve in filter mode, does that mean you're running the pump in bypass mode? That's ok, but after being closed and rained on, you'll want the water to be circulated before running tests (run the pump).
Click to expand...

Hi! The pump has just been shut off/set to "Closed" for the past 9 days since I wasn't able to test or use the pool due to the rain/cold temps. That's really good to know about running the pump before doing the tests, thanks! I was going to ask that actually.
 
jblizzle said:
:wave: Welcome to TFP!!!

I would just start with the comparator in the blue box. To see if any chlorine is in the water and what your pH is.
If you get no yellow on the chlorine, there is really no need to do the FAS-DPD chlorine test with the powder.
Then do the TA and then the CH and then the CYA.

Easy Peasy ;)
Click to expand...

Hi, thanks for the help! *Finally* the sun is out and it's actually over 45º for a change... YEESH.

Here are the results of the lil blue box tests:

YeXz0oT.jpg


I also did the CYA test and the water level in the view tube was below 100, but... I haven't put anything into the pool yet chemical-wise, I just now got the filter running and circulating the water. Does that matter?

When will I know it's time to SLAM?

Thanks again!

- - - Updated - - -

Rollercoastr said:
When you say you haven't put the valve in filter mode, does that mean you're running the pump in bypass mode? That's ok, but after being closed and rained on, you'll want the water to be circulated before running tests (run the pump).
Click to expand...

Hi, how long should I run it in filter mode before starting the tests? It's only been running a few minutes before I tested it out. (I couldn't contain my excitement!) :D
 
Sounds like you CYA is over 100ppm which means you should replace water to get that down to the recommended range.

After that, recheck your pH which looks a little low. Hint, read this holding the block up to the uniform sky to better see the colors.
 
jblizzle said:
Oh, you should run the pump at least 30 minutes before testing.
Click to expand...

Okay, ran the pump overnight, here are the results of my first-ish test!

FC: (0?) (this is from the blue Taylor test box, right?)
PH: 6.8-7ish?
TA: 60
CH: 75
CYA: 100-80

Notes/Questions:
- TA turned bright pink on the 6th drop, that's 60, right?
- CH turned blue on the 3rd drop, so that's 75, right?
- CYA was difficult, I had my back to the sun, holding it over concrete at waist level, and could baaarely barely see the dot at 100, but it was hard to tell if it was the dot or reflections of the markings on the tube in the water. Either way, I definitely couldn't see anything at 80, even with the tube in the sun.

The floating algae in the water is gone now that I've had my new filter going overnight and I've backwashed it a couple of times since I turned it on yesterday.

So where do I go from here? :eek:

Thanks you guys!!
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
garybtru said:
Ok, thanks! How much water do you think I should drain? And should I just replace it w/ garden hose/village water from my house?
Click to expand...

Thankfully, it's simple math - if your level is 90ish and you want it at 30, you would need to drain/refill about 2/3 of it. So use whatever numbers make sense for what you're trying to do. Be aware that a vinyl pool needs at least a foot of water in all parts at any given time, so you might have to do a partial drain/refill twice. City water is fine. One tip if you're on city sewer is to see if there's a summer sewer program where they ignore excess water usage for calculating sewer costs (for pool, lawn watering) - you can save a lot of money this way.

Don't be surprised if you do a drain/refill and still have an elevated CYA - anywhere around 100ppm could mean much more than that.
 
Hah, our water pressure is insanely high, but I think I'm gonna be filling for at least another day. Yeah I hear ya re: antsy kids, it was ~40-50º for like the past 2 weeks, and FINALLY it skipped right over the 70's today and was like 84º out.

My daughter's all "I wanna swim in the pool _today_ though." while I have it draining down to the first step, which is covered in green goo... "Okayyy, go get your suit and hop in!" Hahah. "I'm workin' on it," I say! And wow am I ever. Had to run out and get a 68' backwash hose today to run the water away from the house. 2 feet of water is no joke! Kinda glad our pool isn't olympic-sized!
 
drharris said:
It'll all be worth it when you finally get in the water after putting in such hard work!
Click to expand...

True, just gotta keep tellin' myself that!

I've started shopping around for bleach while I wait for the pool to fill up... I've found bleach prices can vary a fair amount from store to store.

One thing I wish I would have done while I was draining is vacuum the bottom w/ the filter on WASTE. I still have some dead worms and junk in the bottom. I guess they'll end up in the skimmer basket after I vacuum them up later on... but still! 2 birds w/ one stone would have been nice. Another lesson learned!
 
I would do that, as painful as it is. Technically you could SLAM it at CYA of 80ppm, but it's going to be even more painful and quite expensive. You need lots of FC, which means lots of bleach, and it means FC will disappear faster on top of it. Another partial drain/refill should get you to a better place. This time, vacuum to waste!

If you need encouragement, realize that the previous CYA of perhaps around 100 could have meant much higher than that, so at least now you can be more sure of the number!
 
drharris said:
I would do that, as painful as it is. Technically you could SLAM it at CYA of 80ppm, but it's going to be even more painful and quite expensive. You need lots of FC, which means lots of bleach, and it means FC will disappear faster on top of it. Another partial drain/refill should get you to a better place. This time, vacuum to waste!

If you need encouragement, realize that the previous CYA of perhaps around 100 could have meant much higher than that, so at least now you can be more sure of the number!
Click to expand...
I concur.

If the vacuum won't seal tight to the skimmer to let you vacuum to waste, try a few rubber bands around the collar so it really gets squeezed in. If you vacuum out as much sludge as you can, that means less chlorine will be needed so you'll recoup some of the cost of the water.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply