Water balance issues

[twebb101]

Hi all, new poster here, so I apologize if this is a duplicate entry in the forums. I could use some help with water testing and balancing.

My pool details:

• Outdoor (covered with automatic safety cover 24/7 unless in use)
• In-ground
• Vinyl-lined
• 30,300 gallon, Grecian-style
• Bromine sanitizer
• Pentair equipment (pump, DE filter, heater, in-line chemical feeder for bromine tablets)

The issue I'm having is that between my local pool store, a Taylor reagent test kit, and some Taylor test strips, I'm getting 3 different results/numbers on the water tests. The kit and strips are brand new for this season, less than a month old actually. These are my current test results from yesterday and today (samples are taken the same way each time, by inverting the containers and reaching in water up to elbow before inverting to fill the containers):

Pool Store (7/9/24)	Value	Reagent Kit (7/10/24)	Value
Bromine	4.23	Bromine	5
pH	6.7	pH	6.8
Alkalinity	115	Alkalnity	150
Hardness	150	Hardness	200

My local pool store uses the SpinTouch WaterLink system, and it said to add 2 lbs of pH UP for 30,300 gallons. When I look at the Pooli or Leslie's apps, they say to use 6 lbs of pH UP for 30,300 gallons... who is right? Why the difference?

My questions are these:

1. Why would the results be so different on some of the readings?
2. What is the best/most accurate/most reliable testing method for home users (strips, reagents, etc.)
3. Any recommendations on good pool apps that will help with recording test results and giving recommendations for chemical additions?
   1. As mentioned above, I've been using Pooli and Leslie's, and they seem to be pretty similar as far as chemical recommendations.

Any help is appreciated, and thanks in advance!

 

[PoolStored]

1. Why would the results be so different on some of the readings?

Testing accuracy.

1. What is the best/most accurate/most reliable testing method for home users (strips, reagents, etc.)

These kits. Link-->Test Kits Compared

1. Any recommendations on good pool apps that will help with recording test results and giving recommendations for chemical additions?
   1. As mentioned above, I've been using Pooli and Leslie's, and they seem to be pretty similar as far as chemical recommendations.

We recommend and use Pool Math. Link-->PoolMath

 

[twebb101]

Thanks for that accuracy chart.

I've looked at using Pool Math, and I looked at those kits you linked, but neither support Bromine so I'm unable to use them.

 

[PoolStored]

Redacted.

 

[Donldson]

You can measure bromine with the FAS-DPD test. You use a 25 ml sample and each drop is equal to 0.5 ppm bromine. Then you perform the CC portion of the test, add the two numbers, and get your total bromine level (which is what you want for bromine as both free and combined bromine has sanitizing properties).

 

[twebb101]

Test this morning showed TA at 130 and pH at 7.2. Which one should I address first since they are so closely related? I have some muriatic acid on hand, and can get some Borax as well.

 

[PoolStored]

You should never need to use Borax. pH will rise on its own.

Do this:
if TA > 80, when pH gets to 8.0, lower your pH to 7.6. This will lower TA some. pH will rise on its own.
if TA is between 60 and 80, STOP lowering pH to 7.6, it will likely stabilize between 7.8 and 8.0. 7.8-8.0 is just fine.

 

[twebb101]

Thank you. So, my current numbers are ok then? I'm good to wait and just watch it?

 

[twebb101]

What are the recommended levels of Bromine, TA, pH, and hardness?

 

[PoolStored]

I can't comment on bromine, we don't recommend it. TA, pH and hardness are the same as a chlorine pool.

Recommended Pool Levels

 

[PoolStored]

This may help you on Bromine:

How do I use Bromine in my Spa or Hot Tub?

Originally Posted by waterbear There is a lot of misinformation on the proper way to use Bromine so I hope this primer is helpful. First, you need to establish a bromide reserve in the water. Bromine tablets can do it by themselves but it can take literally weeks until enough dissolves. Some...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[twebb101]

Thanks @PoolStored. @Waterbear and @Mdragger88: can you offer any input for my pool?

 

[PoolStored]

Waterbear is long gone.

 

[Mdragger88]

Thanks @PoolStored. @Waterbear and @Mdragger88: can you offer any input for my pool?

Just follow the guide @PoolStored posted.
The bromine tabs are acidic which may be putting you in the low ph situation even though your ta is fine.
Once you get a reserve (bank) built up with the tabs you can back off on them and use liquid chlorine to re- activate your bank without messing up your ph.