I recently received my TF-100 test kit and have been trying to first understand my levels so that I can adjust them. It's unclear to me WHEN the various tests should be done. For some background, I have a Pentair equipment... Superflo pump, Intellichlor SWG, FNSP 36 DE filter, Mastertemp 250 heater for a 16x34 vinyl lined pool. For the past two seasons (first two seasons) I ran the pump 24/7 and had the SWG set to about 18% (once things leveled off) and that seemed to keep things in check according to test strips. This season I was trying to cut the pump usage back to ~12 hrs a day... 6a-10a, 12p-4p, and 6p-10p and had the SWG set to 20% to start We're in Western PA, so we haven't really had much pool weather, so the auto cover has stayed closed most days. I was still checking the chlorine and PH using the K-1000. Both were off the charts. The chlorine side was actually orange instead of yellow. I uncovered the pool on a few of the sunnier days and then retested using the K-1000, but the chlorine was still off the charts. So I turned the SWG down to 10%. We had the cover off for 3-4 hrs yesterday, as it was sunny. Before closing the pool, I tested again with the K-1000. This time the chlorine barely showed any level. It was lighter in color than the first .5 - 1 range. Now I had been checking it daily. But the change from off the charts to almost non existent happened in 1 day. So, my question is, when do I test? What time of day? And do I try to get the levels about right until our actual pool season where we're in and have it open most days... and then worry about fine tuning?
Also, with a SWG... what levels do you balance first, second, third, etc.? Since some things impact others, what level is step 1 when looking at the overall health of the pool? Do you get chlorine right, then look at PH, or...?
Also, with a SWG... what levels do you balance first, second, third, etc.? Since some things impact others, what level is step 1 when looking at the overall health of the pool? Do you get chlorine right, then look at PH, or...?
TA has a wide acceptable range, so I might test that weekly. CH and CYA don't typically change much unless a lot of water was changed, so I just do those once a month.