Who to believe? - testing discrepancies

MissErica1977

New member
Jul 7, 2024
4
Albuquerque
Hi there...
Background:

Second full summer since inground pool installation. Plaster - Ozone and UV on the system so we generally keep chlorine at about 1ppm with no issues. City water. Automatic Cover so pool is always covered unless we are actively swimming. Approx 19,000 gallons. Albuquerque NM so daytime temps in the 90s and nights in the 60s

Last summer we had no issues with keeping chlorine levels up. We used tabs last year. When we opened our pool this spring Leslie's testing said the CyA was getting high so we switched to 73% Cal-Hypo powder. No issues at all the first month or two. Now - we can't keep chlorine in the water; Tried switching to liquid chlorine - no change - can't keep it up for more than a day. For example - we did a phosphate treatment Tue - Thur of last week. Had pool party on Thur - shocked Thur night. Pump ran overnight. FAC on Friday morning was greater than 5ppm. FAC on Saturday morning was as shown in chart below - less than 1ppm. That was the second time in a month that has happened - gone from 5+ the day after shocking to less than 1 the next day. Been testing with the Taylor 2006 at a local store - the Taylor 1004 at home - also testing at Leslie's for a second "opinion" - the number are varying DRAMATICALLY... I am VERY leery of Leslie's for a variety of reasons - but I wonder if their automatic system is more accurate than "looking at the colors"... See below for side by side results...

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We are planning to do several back to back phosphate treatments in hopes of getting the #s down - that first phosphate treatment/filter cleaning didn't seem to do anything. :( Not sure if we should go back to tablets or not - Leslie's says CyA is too high - Other store says it is fine. I just don't know whose numbers to trust. I know a lot of people get the 2006 and test themselves - but ??? It would still potentially show the same discrepancy as the "professional" using the 2006 at the store. I am confused... The guy from the pool company (salty older guy who has been doing pools for 40+ years) who built it said the phosphates aren't a big deal but ??? From what I understand - it isn't an issue until you get an algae bloom and then it is a big problem - so I want to figure it out.
 
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Welcome to TFP!!!

Trust your test kit.

Phosphates are not your issue.

Your issue is that UV/OZONE do not sanitize. You still need to maintain proper FC for your CYA level. Always follow this...Link-->FC/CYA Levels

Because you let your FC get so low, you likely have algae, even though you can't see it. That is consuming your FC.

To confirm algae, do this test tonight. Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

If you fail, then follow the SLAM process to clear your pool and restore order. Link-->SLAM Process
 
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Been testing with the Taylor 2006 at a local store - the Taylor 1004 at home
You need the K2006C for home use. It would be very unusual for Leslies to be using a 2006 kit to test since they have their own computer ayatem that doesnt test very well. Or do you mean another local pool store? Id be surprised if they were using a K2006. Are you sure thats what it is?
 
You need the K2006C for home use. It would be very unusual for Leslies to be using a 2006 kit to test since they have their own computer ayatem that doesnt test very well. Or do you mean another local pool store? Id be surprised if they were using a K2006. Are you sure thats what it is?
Sorry if that wasn't clear - No - Leslies' isn't using it - that is another local pool store that was recommended to me. I went to them for a second opinion as I really am not happy with Leslies after they tried to charge me a fortune for freaking baking soda. And I am pretty darn sure it is the K2006 - I haven't picked it up to look at the #s but it is the bigger blue box, bigger bottles of chemicals, the little round disk, the bigger test cylinders (As compared my my k1004)
 
Welcome to TFP!!!

Trust your test kit.

Phosphates are not your issue.

Your issue is that UV/OZONE do not sanitize. You still need to maintain proper FC for your CYA level. Always follow this...Link-->FC/CYA Levels

Because you let your FC get so low, you likely have algae, even though you can't see it. That is consuming your FC.

To confirm algae, do this test tonight. Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

If you fail, then follow the SLAM process to clear your pool and restore order. Link-->SLAM Process
will do. Thanks for the advice. It looks beautifully clear - hard to believe there is a problem but something is DEF off...
 
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Sorry if that wasn't clear - No - Leslies' isn't using it - that is another local pool store that was recommended to me. I went to them for a second opinion as I really am not happy with Leslies after they tried to charge me a fortune for freaking baking soda. And I am pretty darn sure it is the K2006 - I haven't picked it up to look at the #s but it is the bigger blue box, bigger bottles of chemicals, the little round disk, the bigger test cylinders (As compared my my k1004)
Little round disks doesnt sound like it. If they arent using FAS-DPD (scoop of powder and drops that make it turn from pink to clear) to check the chlorine, its not a K2006.

As youve discovered, pool stores arent very good at testing accurately.
 
Little round disks doesnt sound like it. If they arent using FAS-DPD (scoop of powder and drops that make it turn from pink to clear) to check the chlorine, its not a K2006.

As youve discovered, pool stores arent very good at testing accurately.
Sorry it wasn't clear. I can't say for sure which method they used for which test. I just know the box looked like this.
will do. Thanks for the advice. It looks beautifully clear - hard to believe there is a problem but something is DEF off...
 

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There is a round laminated disk with a piece protruding in the Taylor 2006 test used to calc CSI. I never used it bc, poolMath. Maybe that’s what OP means. If I remember right, it’s about 6 inches long. It isn’t something you put water in or on.
 
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There is a round laminated disk with a piece protruding in the Taylor 2006 test used to calc CSI. I never used it bc, poolMath. Maybe that’s what OP means. If I remember right, it’s about 6 inches long. It isn’t something you put water in or on.
You are correct, that is what the OP meant. It calculates LSI, not CSI like pool math.
 
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