My first water test - opinions?

Ok - I just finished witht the pool guy from my builder. He said they only test chlorine (FC), Ph, alkalinity, and stabilizer (CYA). Why they don't test for combined chlorine and calcium hardness, the answer "my supervisor says we don't have to." Asked him if he could make an exception, he said no he didn't want to get in trouble. So, here are my figures from this morning

FC 3.0
Ph 7.2
Alk 70 ppm
Stabilizer (CYA) 40 ppm
Calc - tried to do the hardness test on my own but it came up 0 - could I have done something wrong?

I noticed he uses a Taylor kit which I've heard some of you mention as an alternative to Ben's kit since that takes a while to get. The price is between $60 -$70 online and at a pool store nearby that I called. Is it worth spending that for the Taylor kit now, since it seems the way to go is to buy Ben's kit in the future?
The Aqua Chem kit I bought at Walmart yesterday tests for Calcium Hardness too but it seems to max out at 5.0 for chlorine which I suppose may make it difficult to test for combined chlorine right? Can I keep using this kit for the near future anyway?
Finally, what do you think of my numbers? Pool guy added stabililzer today only. Had to pull the numbers out of him if you know what I mean. He was very surprised I was not going to try a service. Not really confidence inspiring - but hey - I have you guys right? Off to pinch a penny to double check results - this is actually getting a little exciting!

You do need to test your calcium hardness. Also, bump the alk up a little with some baking soda to 80-120. Your cya was good at 40. I wouldn't have let him add any more stabilizer. I hope he didn't add very much.

I agree with Watermom on the stabilizer, but other than cleaning your cartridges if he added it through the skimmer, there's not much you can do about it now except avoid trichlor/dichlor.

The chlorine block you have doesn't test for combined chlorine, only total chlorine. And although it only measures up to 5 ppm, you can always use CarlD's shotglass method to expand the range--use one part (shotglass) pool water with one part distilled water, mix thoroughly, test your sample from that, read the results, and multiply by 2. You lose a little accuracy with the dilution, but it gives you a good ballpark.

And if he doesn't test for calcium with your pool/equipment, I sure wouldn't use them for my pool maintenance!!!!

Janet

Thank you both for your response. I'll try the shotglass method tomorrow morning and post a new set of results. Hopefully the stabilizer will be alright.

As for continuing to use the kit as described in my original post - any opinion on sticking with what I've got till I can get Ben's kit, in light of the fact that I can use the "shot glass" method to test for CC?

I glanced at a post from Hulla?, I think, discussing using the Taylor 2006 test kit as a viable alternative to Ben's. It seems I may be able to get that faster online if I am unable to get accurate readings from what I've got. I have to sit and reread the post. See link below. Any thoughts?

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=3207

Needless to say, Janet, I will not be using my PB for continued maintenance. I have become a Poolforum member!:D

You can't use the shotglass method for testing CC. CC is combined chlorine, which is chlorine that has already been "used up". Your test kit only tests total chlorine, which is the sum of combined chlorine and free (still available to work) chlorine. You can use what you've got until you get Ben's kit--he's now working hard on getting caught up. Then again, if money isn't an issue, it wouldn't hurt to have a Taylor if it's available now, and still order Ben's. Many of us have multiple test kits.

Janet

Sorry - then I didn't understand what the shot glass method is testing for I'm afraid. Isnt it the same as my little kit just allowing for a higher range of results?

On the instructions for the kit,it says the initial drop test with the OTO drops gives me a free chlorine reading within 10 seconds but only up to 5.0. Then you wait longer and it will give a total chlorine level. Then I assume do the math and get a CC reading.

I thought since the shot glass method allowed me a higher maximum range, if my FC number was 5.0 I would still be able to get a TC number. Is that not right?:confused:

Okay, my bad...it's been a few years since I used the hth OTO test, and at that time it only measured for TC. There was no distinguishable difference between FC and TC. So, in theory, yes you could read your results, multiply by two, then re-read and multiply and use the TC = FC + CC. However, you need to understand that the OTO test is really giving you a ballpark, and you lose a little of what accuracy you had by diluting--so I would not rely on that test kit to give you good CC numbers.

Janet