We're always watching.... lol
Sounds like a good plan. Take the morning reading before the Sun hits the pool.
Sounds like a good plan. Take the morning reading before the Sun hits the pool.
Totally Confused
- Thread starter steve919
- Start date
Oh, one question.. the SWC is turned off, but do I need to leave the pump on or it doesn't make a difference?
I just took 3 readings just to triple check my numbers. All water samples were taken elbow length deep with the sample tube inverted into the water and then promptly removed.
The first result was 7.5 FC
The second 8.5 FC
And the third 10 FC
Now, I'm not an idiot. I have a electronics degree and have been self employed for many years. I like to think of myself as a pretty smart guy, but what gives on 3 different readings in a row? Just the chlorine still mixing in the pool an hour later? I should also mention the pump is still on. In fact, it's been on since early yesterday.
The first result was 7.5 FC
The second 8.5 FC
And the third 10 FC
Now, I'm not an idiot. I have a electronics degree and have been self employed for many years. I like to think of myself as a pretty smart guy, but what gives on 3 different readings in a row? Just the chlorine still mixing in the pool an hour later? I should also mention the pump is still on. In fact, it's been on since early yesterday.
Just did it one more time. Was meticulous that the water was at the 10Ml line and each drop was slow and deliberate.
That reading was 8.5 FC.. I think that's the number I'm sticking with and will leave the pump on overnight again.
That reading was 8.5 FC.. I think that's the number I'm sticking with and will leave the pump on overnight again.
Yes, leave the pump running all night.
I'm sure you are more than qualified to do the test, lol. There is some variation and accuracy is effected by how meticulous you are. Fill level and drop size have a lot to do with it. Just try to be consistent in how you do it from one test to another. Try to let the drop almost hang there before it drops. Go at a at decent pace, not too fast or slow.
The accuracy of the FAS/DPD test is +/- 1 drop up to 10 drops or 10% above that.
I'm sure you are more than qualified to do the test, lol. There is some variation and accuracy is effected by how meticulous you are. Fill level and drop size have a lot to do with it. Just try to be consistent in how you do it from one test to another. Try to let the drop almost hang there before it drops. Go at a at decent pace, not too fast or slow.
The accuracy of the FAS/DPD test is +/- 1 drop up to 10 drops or 10% above that.
Overnight results are..
FC 7 (last night 8.5)
CC <0.5
I left the pool covered with the solar cover last night and there is a just a tiny bit of sunlight on the back part of the pool. Hope that didn't obscure the test too much.. thoughts?
FC 7 (last night 8.5)
CC <0.5
I left the pool covered with the solar cover last night and there is a just a tiny bit of sunlight on the back part of the pool. Hope that didn't obscure the test too much.. thoughts?
The test is ok and the Sun probably had little effect.
It looks like you had some overnight loss although minimal, so still in SLAM mode for now. Keep FC high for today and you can check again tonight.
It looks like you had some overnight loss although minimal, so still in SLAM mode for now. Keep FC high for today and you can check again tonight.
When you are doing the FC test, be sure to keep the bottle as vertically straight as possible, and let the drop form and drop naturally. Try to not go faster than about 1 drop per second.
Also, when you think the sample has gone clear, give it one more drop to make sure it was not just faint pink. If there is no further color change, don't count that drop.
Also, when you think the sample has gone clear, give it one more drop to make sure it was not just faint pink. If there is no further color change, don't count that drop.
I feel your pain on consistency. That whole bottom of the meniscus thing was/is a pain so I bought a small electronic gram scale for $15. One gram equals 1 ml, so no more guessing. Now it is simply trying to not vary the drop sizes from the various bottles.
Is it safe to swim in the pool with the FC at 8? Kid's are dying to go in it's so hot here 
If the FC is below shock level, the pH is in range, and the water is clear enough to see the floor, it's safe to swim.Is it safe to swim in the pool with the FC at 8? Kid's are dying to go in it's so hot here
Overnight test results, day 2:
Last night FC 8.5
This morning FC 8.5
Tested again this morning, FC 8.5
And a 3rd time to triple check, FC 7.5
Not sure what accounts for the variant but it's all within range for passing the overnight FC loss test!
So Ive been so focused on the FC now, what's next? Here's the given order I'm thinking,
Get CYA to between 70 - 80 ppm
Then lower my ph to 7.2 to bring the alkalinity down to between 60-80 (currently it's 170ppm)
Then, I should have balanced water. Am I missing anything?
Last night FC 8.5
This morning FC 8.5
Tested again this morning, FC 8.5
And a 3rd time to triple check, FC 7.5
Not sure what accounts for the variant but it's all within range for passing the overnight FC loss test!
So Ive been so focused on the FC now, what's next? Here's the given order I'm thinking,
Get CYA to between 70 - 80 ppm
Then lower my ph to 7.2 to bring the alkalinity down to between 60-80 (currently it's 170ppm)
Then, I should have balanced water. Am I missing anything?
Do you also have clear water and .5 or less CC?
If so, then yes, add acid to lower pH. Add CYA. Turn on the SWG to maintain FC. (It was off for the overnight test?) Shouldn't take more than ten minutes to do all that.
TA will come down of its own accord as you adjust pH. Also the CYA is slightly acidic and will help some.
Crystal clear water and .5 or less CC. The was was only barely pink after adding R-0003 and 1 drop of R-0871 cleared it right up.
I bought muriatic acid at Walmart in the paint aisle then looked up the msds online for it and it shows <30%. So I assume that means 29%? Maybe it's better to take that back and go somewhere else. Ive stayed away from the pool stored so I don't get oversold but maybe I should go there for the acid.
I bought muriatic acid at Walmart in the paint aisle then looked up the msds online for it and it shows <30%. So I assume that means 29%? Maybe it's better to take that back and go somewhere else. Ive stayed away from the pool stored so I don't get oversold but maybe I should go there for the acid.
If it's that green label low-fuming stuff, it's probably 20%. Plug it in as 29%. Worse thing that happens is that pH doesn't drop as far and you'll have to add some more.
Yup, it's the green label 90% less fumes stuff. Klean Strip is the brand name. For the CYA I bought the Clorox Stabilizer, so I'll just mix that in a bucket of pool water and then pour it in at the return.
For CYA, if it's a powder, it is better to put it in a sock and hang it in front of the return. It will take some time to dissolve. Squeeze it with your hand every once in a while to help speed up the process. We recommend this instead of mixing in a bucket of water. If the granular's sit on the bottom of the pool, they can cause white spotting because it is acidic.
thanks for the tip. I'm finding that out the hard way right now that the granules are not dissolving in the bucket. I wonder if I just pour that out in the street with a ton of running water, if that would be a problem. Or maybe dig a hole in the backyard to pour the mixture into?