First testing with K-2006

[mommak]

Okay, here's my first numbers. Any help what to do next would be great.
Free Chlorine - 2
Combined chlorine - 0.2
pH- (after adding 3 drops of R-0005) - 7.4
Total Alkalinity - 90
Calcium Hardness - didn't turn red
Cyanuric Acid - Did not turn cloudy

[BigDave]

FC of 2 with no CYA is plenty. It won't last very long at all in the sun - part of a day at best.
Did you have dichlor? How are you chlorinating?

CC of 0.2 is within the error range of the test - no problem. If you use a 10ml sample and multiply by 0.5 your reagents will last longer.

What was the pH before adding the acid demand reagent? We seldom advise people to use the acid / base demand tests because they don't really change what you need to do. You need some acid in the pool to bring pH down if it's over 8.0. Muriatic acid is preferred as it adds nothing unneeded to the pool - be sure to read about using it safely at:http://pool9.net/ma/ (http://pool9.net/ma/). Sodium bisulphate (dry acid) will also lower the pH but adds sulphur.

TA of 90 is fine unless you find the pH is moving too quickly.

[Watermom]

By the way, Dave, I just looked at her previous threads. This is an Intex 18' x 48" pool, volume approx. 7000 gallons.

[mommak]

BigDave
My pH was 8.0 prior to adding 3drops of R-0005. And after going over my notes that I took, my FC is 5.0 and CC is 0.5 (forgot that I only used 10 ml for that testing).
I am using bleach for the chlorinating. I bought the 22 lb dichlor that was recommended on here. Haven't used it yet,as it just arrived late yesterday.

[mommak]

Sorry about the duplicate post. I realized that my original post was not in the correct area.

[Watermom]

That's ok. I just locked it so we can keep everything in one place. Since Dave had already replied to this one, I figured we would just stick with it. No worries! :)

[BigDave]

Great!
Start following the "Intex Pool Care Plan" section of the Super Simple Recipie (http://pool9.net/ssr/). After using about eight pounds of dichlor, the CYA should be near 50. Don't test for CYA until you think you've used eight pounds. When CYA is near 50, you can return to chlorinating with bleach.

Congrats on the K-2006 - The first couple times it can be a bit intimidating but it's well worth it. I forgot to mention: don't worry about the CH for now, If you don't get scale or cloudy water, you may never need it.

@Watermom: Thanks for the volume :)

[mommak]

Thank you for all of your help. I want to be able to manage the pool on my own and not have to add another burden on my husband. I will 're-read that information and go from there.

[mommak]

I have a question about part 3 on the Intex Pool Care Plan, it says to add one dose of dicholr each evening. Do I also add in one dose of the borax after the dichlor dose?
I do this each evening depending upon my numbers?
Thanks

[Watermom]

The reason for the Borax dosing alongside the dichlor is because dichlor is acidic and will bring your pH down. So, to counteract that downward pull, the Borax is added. However, if your pH is higher than maybe 7.6, I'd skip the Borax that evening. After you have added a few doses of the dichlor, you'll learn how much it affects your pH and you can adjust your Borax additions accordingly. As long as your pH stays between 7.0-8.0, (best in the mid 7s) you're ok.

When your CYA level gets to around 50ppm, you'll want to quit using dichlor and switch to just using bleach so your CYA level won't get too high.

[mommak]

Thanks a million Watermom. Your expertise and knowledge is greatly appreciated. Tonight I will begin my dose of borax and dichlor. When I test tomorrow morning I will post my numbers.

[Watermom]

You are welcome. Glad that we can help.

[mommak]

Okay, this morning testing didn't go as well. Here's my results,
FC- 5.0
CC- after 10 drops of R-0871 10 ml didn't turn pink
pH- 8.0 before adding 5 drops of R-0004, then after adding 3 drops of R-0005 pH is 7.2
Still no CYA, added 1 c. dichlor and 1 c. borax last night.
What do I need to do and or add?

[BigDave]

I think you may be doing the CC test incorrectly. To review:
1)Add a scoop or two of DPD powder (R-0870) to 10ml sample. If it turns pink you have FC, do step 1.1. Otherwise FC=0, skip 1.1.
1.1)Add drops of R-0871 counting drops and swirling until pink turns clear. Multiply drop count by 0.5 to get FC in ppm.
2)Add 5 drops R-0003 to sample and swirl. If it turns pink you have CC, do step 2.1. Otherwise CC=0, skip 2.1.
2.1)Add drops of R-0871 counting drops and swirling until pink turns clear. Multiply drop count by 0.5 to get CC in ppm.

I think you should stop adding Borax until pH gets to 7.4.

No need to test for CYA until you've used up a few pounds of dichlor, I'd wait until I used about eight pounds of dichlor before testing again.

[Watermom]

Are you following the Super Simple recipe?

Have you watched the testing demo videos? http://pool9.net/K2006-vid/

[Watermom]

Just to reiterate for clarity --

If you have NO pink on step 3 from Dave's post above, you do NOT add the drops of R-0871 on step 4.

[mommak]

Yes, I am following the Super Simple Recipe. I did exactly what BigDave posted above, except for after I added the 5 drops of R-0003, my solution did not turn pink,so I kept adding more drops. After a total of 10 drops it still didn't turn pink,so I stopped adding the R-0003. Does this mean that my pool does not have Combined chlorine?
I am a bit confused with the pH testing. Which pH result number is the accurate one to use? The result after I add the R-0004 or the one after I add the R-0005?
I will hold off on testing for CYA until after I have used about 8lbs of the dichlor.

[BigDave]

After adding 5 drops R-0004 you get a direct pH reading.

R-0005 is acid and the test is used to estimate the amount of acid you'd need to bring the pool to a specific pH. We almost never ask anyone to do that test.

If your pH is 8 after 5 drops of R-0004, skip the Borax doses.

Sorry, Watermom, for messing up the step numbers.

[mommak]

Thank you, yes I will stop adding borax until my pH level lowers.

[Watermom]

...after I added the 5 drops of R-0003, my solution did not turn pink, so I kept adding more drops. After a total of 10 drops it still didn't turn pink,so I stopped adding the R-0003. Does this mean that my pool does not have Combined chlorine?

That bolded text above is your mistake on the CC test. After you add the 5 drops of R-0003, if it does not turn pink, then you have no CC. You do not need to keep adding drops to try and make it turn pink.