first readings!

[PBLsQuad450]

I have a question about my first numbers from my new "real" test kit. My chlorine readings came out much lower than I expected. I had been using an OTO and test strips. These agree that my TOTAL CL is between 5 and 10. My new kit, and I checked it twice, FC 2, TC 1. Spot on both tests.

Total numbers for a 33,000 gallon, IG v-liner, no heater, full sun.

FC-2
TC-1
PH-7.1
TA-60
CYA-100

Base demand was 5 drops. According to the Taylor chart included, that coincidentally translates to exactly 1 box of Borax. PH was actually spot on and I was draining water and refilling. Ugh.

Darn CYA. Was higher. Been partial draining. It is the reason I sought and found PF. Any feedback would be great. THANKS!!

[Watermom]

If your FC is 2, then your TC can't be 1 because FC + CC = TC. Always. Go ahead and bump your pH and alk up a bit. CYA of 100 will make your pool harder to maintain. I would keep doing the partial drain and refill cycle and try go get the cya to around 50. And, with that high cya, you better get some chlorine in there or you're gonna have a green pool! Have you had a look at the Best Guess CYA Chart?

[PBLsQuad450]

Thanks for the reply! So ignore the other 2 test methods then?

The instructions (Taylor) say for the 1st test "record as ppm FC." The next step, after 5 drops of R-0003 says record as TC. Last part says "subtract FC from TC. Record as ppm CC. Formula: TC-FC=CC. After step 1 it shows 2. After step 2 it shows 1.

So, I am confused, do I have 2 ppm FC, 1ppm TC and 1ppm CC? That's not posible right?

Thanks again and again!!

[CarlD]

I wonder if they printed the directions wrong....

Seriously.

In the standard FAS-DPD test that Taylor has made for years, you add the FAS-DPD powder, add the reagent in the brown bottle till it's clear getting the FC value, then add the 5 drops from the 0003 bottle, use the brown bottle till it's clear to get the CC value. Add FC + CC to get TC.

If the directions say something different, they may well be wrong.

TC = FC + CC That's always and forever.

[polyvue]

Thanks for the reply! So ignore the other 2 test methods then?

The instructions (Taylor) say for the 1st test "record as ppm FC." The next step, after 5 drops of R-0003 says record as TC. Last part says "subtract FC from TC. Record as ppm CC. Formula: TC-FC=CC. After step 1 it shows 2. After step 2 it shows 1.

So, I am confused, do I have 2 ppm FC, 1ppm TC and 1ppm CC? That's not posible right?

Thanks again and again!!
Are you employing R-0001 and R-0002 reagents? If so, that's the DPD chlorine test. You have the Taylor K-2005 (or equivalent). See http://www.taylortechnologies.com/products_instructions.asp?Type=Number&Number=5136

Carl is likely referencing the FAS/DPD chlorine test found in Taylor K-2006, which uses R-0870 powder and R-0871 reagent to affect a pink color that disappears when the right amount of R-0871 is added to the sample.

If you're using the DPD chlorine test (R0001, R0002, R0003) the correct amounts are:

TC = 2 PPM
FC = 1 PPM
CC = 1 PPM

[PBLsQuad450]

Yes. Reagents are R-0001 and R-0002. No powder. So, if the directions are wrong, what am I testing for first? Is it FC (with 0001 and 0002) then CC (even though that's not what the directions say) with 0003? And, is this OK? I have a disagreement between the OTO and test strip readings and these. Those agree that the total CL is between 5 and 10, closer to 5.

THANKS!

[PBLsQuad450]

Just wanted to add that I just went to the Taylor web-site and the instructions for this (instr. #5761) read the same. Double checked the reagent labels, all in order? Just my luck.

PBL

[polyvue]

Yes. Reagents are R-0001 and R-0002. No powder. So, if the directions are wrong, what am I testing for first? Is it FC (with 0001 and 0002) then CC (even though that's not what the directions say) with 0003? And, is this OK? I have a disagreement between the OTO and test strip readings and these. Those agree that the total CL is between 5 and 10, closer to 5.

THANKS!
The directions are correct. Not sure why you would get a lower reading for Total Chlorine (TC) after applying R-0003. Are you conducting the chlorine test first and within a couple of minutes of drawing the sample? Halogens (like chlorine) do dissipate quickly, especially in small samples. Skip the pH test and any others and just test for chlorine.

Hmmm... what else? Are you using the right (9 mL) sample tube - with gradations showing .5, 1., 1.5, 2, 3 and 5 ppm in increasingly saturated (red/pink) hues? After determining FC using 5 drops each of R1 and R2, add R3 immediately to determine TC. Hold the sample tube up to northern light (the sky) or against a white background outside, or use a color corrected day lite bulb (5000 K) or photography light. Even minor degradation of light can cause 1 and 2 ppm to look similar. Have someone else make the call -- color vision differs among individuals. See if your neighbor or significant other sees the same color hues as you do.

There may be other reasons but I can see how this would be frustrating.

If all else fails: Supplement your otherwise excellent test kit with a real FAS-DPD chlorine test. The DPD test is OK but you'll love the color change in FAS-DPD (from pink to no color).

http://www.taylortechnologies.com/products_kitinfo.asp?&MarketID=1&KitID=2185

[CarlD]

Polyvue:

GREAT catch!

I do have somewhere the DPD drop test (a Leslie's clone) but I've never bothered with it. It never occurred to me that the OP was using DPD and not FAS-DPD.

NOW we have to ensure the DPD instructions are followed correctly and go from there.

[PBLsQuad450]

Thanks for your replies! OK, I just tested it over and over and over. I added bleach last evening. So my FC now reads 2.5. Here is what I think is the deal, I think it is exactly the same for TC after the next test, but the color degrades VERY, VERY quickly. I can watch it go from 2.5 (and I mean immediately after adding, invert and check) down and down. The instructions do say re: 0003 to check "immediately" and record as... Boy, they ain't kidding. It is a little easier to identify it with even this slightly higher CL level. I am going to add more bleach later and re-test. It might be more evident at 3+. And, following the directions EXACTLY.

Oh, and isn't it a good thing if FC and TC are equal?

Again, THANKS!!

[aylad]

Oh, and isn't it a good thing if FC and TC are equal?



That's the goal! :D:D

Janet

[CarlD]

Yup.

The difference between them is called CC: "Combined Chloramines" or just "Combined Chlorine". This is the stuff that gives bleach and pools that chlorine smell, and irritates eyes and nasal passages. Having zero CC is, indeed, the goal.

My pool can be as high as 8 or 10ppm and STILL not smell like "chlorine" because CC is 0. Stick your arm in and IT will smell like "chlorine" as the FC metabolizes all the "contaminants" on your arm and skin.

[PBLsQuad450]

I know I keep saying thank you over and over, but I so appreciate all of your help. Does anyone have experience with the Taylor 2005 kit? The color of the reagent/water mixture in the comparator tube fades very quickly in both CL tests. ESPECIALLY the TC test. I'll definately admit to being a little color dumb to begin with but you have to move fast with getting those numbers or the solution starts showing lower CL. I ask because I wonder if the reagent is old or something? I guess maybe I just have to bite the bullet and admit I bought the wrong one and $60 something.

[sturev]

PBL, I have the 2005 kit and the color doesn't fade on the CL test(s); It takes me a couple of minutes to do both CL test... I always test early am or evening (not in the sunlight). How old is the kit? Make sure to take samples below the surface (I go as deep as I can reach).

I acutally ordered the 2006 kit and they sent me the 2005, so I'm waiting on the correct one to arrive... I'm a newbie, so that's all I can think of... :)

[PBLsQuad450]

Thanks stu! I go deep for the test water. Hadn't thought about testing in the sun? I have been. It's just where my most convenient table is. Good reason huh? Age of the kit is an unknown, it is a re-packaged Leslies bought in-store. Kind of worried about that. I am getting more convinved to punt and eat the scratch. Boy, I hate to. My stubborn self. Wouldn't matter if it was $6.00 instead of $60.00. It is the owning up to making a mistake part. I guess it's just time. I make plenty of them though.

[aylad]

Wouldn't matter if it was $6.00 instead of $60.00. It is the owning up to making a mistake part.

You're not the only one--there's nothing like a pool problem to make you humble!!;)

Janet