Hi everyone -

This is my first post after doing a lot of reading here this weekend, and I have to say, the support and knowledge here is incredible! The BBB method seems easy to follow, and I'm slowly digesting the relationship between the different chemicals and test levels.

What brought me here in the first place was some yellow algae that has formed on the walls of the pool twice in the past few weeks. Having successfully addressed it now for the second time (thanks to advice here) I've come to the realization that I have never, in the 2+ years that I've had the pool, given the chemistry the attention it deserves. I just did what the pool store said - "shock it once a week and use these pucks." Sound familiar? =)

So, I want to make a conscious effort to keep things more in line, but, as my title implies, I'm struggling to reconcile differences between my test results (strips and hth kit) and the pool store's testing


The vitals...

Pool is 9800 gal. in-ground, white plaster.


My results using test strips...

TC = 10 (scale only goes up to 10)
FC = 20 (scale goes up to 20)
pH = 7.8
TA = 120


My results using hth test kit...

CL = 5.0 (scale only goes up to 5.0)
pH = 7.6
TA = ?? (not sure how to measure using this kit - no instructions)
CYA = 60


Pool store results...

TC = 4
FC = 4
pH = 8.2
TA = 140
CYA = 97

All testing took place this morning, and now I'm thinking "what the heck?" To me, these are drastic differences, but is this typical to see across the different methods?

I'm tempted to think that the test strips are junk. I'm also tempted to think that the hth kit is junk, because it suggested all along that the cholrine level was fine - and then the algae appeared! That leaves me with the pool store which I'm (uggh) tempted to believe since they didn't try to sell me everything under the sun based on their results. But I don't want to have to rely on them for regular testing.

So, which do I believe, and what do I do next? If I follow the hth kit, I'd leave things alone for now, but if I follow the pool store, I'd add both bleach and muriatic acid. In the end, all I want is something I can trust. Maybe I just get the Taylor kit and start over (so to speak)?

Thoughts?

Thanks all!

Scott