More than Algae

[Poconos]

I just modded in your post and wanted to let you know Mom will check in after work later this afternoon. I haven't been following this situation so I can't help.
Al

[chem geek]

It sounds like you are using a DPD chlorine test where you compare the color of the sample to a standard which is varying shades/intensity of pink/red. High chlorine levels will bleach out DPD which explains the flash of pink turning to clear. The dark color after R-0003 reagent indicates high CC though the very high FC may be interfering with that somewhat.

You really should have a better test kit with a FAS-DPD chlorine test. If you don't have a Taylor K-2005 test kit already, then get the Taylor K-2006 which you can get from Amazon here. If you already have the K-2005, then you can get the Taylor K-1515-C kit from Amazon as well (same link as above, but then search All Departments for "Taylor K-1515". The FAS-DPD chlorine test will not bleach out (extra powder is added if you see a flash of pink) and it can measure up to 50 ppm and can measure with an accuracy of 0.5 or 0.2 ppm depending on sample size.

In the meantime, you can dilute the pool water sample with distilled water (even tap water would be OK, though would increase the reading a little but since it's so high already that's not a big problem) so if you use 1 part pool water with 4 parts distilled water, then you multiply the result of your tests by 5.

[Watermom]

Ken,
Glad the pool is clear! Algae monsters can't take the high cl levels and retreat as you have found. Now, you just have to make sure it never comes back by diligently maintaining proper water chemistry. Chem Geek has steered you towards the test kits we recommend. Hope you'll consider getting a good kit. It will make taking cared of your pool a lot easier.

Try the dilution method and see if you can get some readings and then repost.

BTW -- I merged your new post into the original thread. Better to keep all the information together to make it easier for us to help.

[funtimeken]

Hi Mom,

Thanks for the info. I will try the dilution to see what happens. Also, could you or someone else please explain the difference between the "DPD" test kit which I have (from 2001 by the way), and a "FAS-DPD" test kit? I am really not sure what the difference is. I tired to look and Googled it, but it really was not much help.

Thanks.

Funtimeken

[Watermom]

With the DPD test, you add drops of two different reagents to a water sample, mix, then compare the color to those shown on the side of the test block. You are limited as to how high of a chlorine level you can read. (I think most can read up to 5ppm.)

With the FAS-DPD test, you add a scoop of powder to a water sample which turns it pink and then add drops of a different reagent until the sample turns clear, counting drops as you go. Your reading is the number of drops X 0.2 or 0.5 depending on how much of a water sample you use. You can test much higher chlorine readings with FAS-DPD up to at least 50 or more.

Hope this info helps clarify. My recommendation is to get a FAS-DPD kit -- the Taylor K-2006 is the one we suggest.

[chem geek]

You can see how the FAS-DPD test works in a demo shown in this link.

[funtimeken]

Hi Mom,

Just a quick note to keep you up to date. I tried both the regular and the diluted methods of testing. The regular is still a waste, but vibrant and wonderful colors!!! The diluted method resulted in the FC higher than the 5ppm on the test kit, and the TC the same. There was no change overnight. I guess at this point, we just keep the pump running and let it do it's thing. I also will be getting a FAS kit. Thank you to you and Chem-Geek for the info. It was very helpful.

Yours forever,



Funtimeken