Opened pool and problems...

[chumpy36]

Ok, I'm getting some conflicting info from the test kits I have (still waiting on the K-2006)...

First one is a Taylor deluxe that does Free and combined chlorine (3 chemical test). It gives me a very elevated free chlorine reading first (off the chart that ends at 5) but when I add the third chemical to give combined chlorine I don't see much (any) change. I would think this means good news and that the difference between free chlorine and total is not much.

However, when I do another test I have (yellow drops one chemical) the chlorine comes up to a level of about 5ppm (I'm guessing this is just free chlorine). And when I use a test strip I get a total chlorine level of zero. The strip does not react at all.

So not really sure what to do at this point. I guess I'll have more info when the K-2006 gets here.

Thanks

JAson

[PoolDoc]

Don't worry too much about your different test results.

=> DPD tablet testing is NOT reliable at all with the chlorine levels you are encountering. Don't use it.
=> Syringaldazine (test strips -- blue/purple color) are reliable, but not very precise.
=> OTO (yellow / orange / brown color) is reliable and slightly more informative than the strips: use that.

The ONLY tests you need worry about right now are your PM and AM tests. Until your post chlorine-dose PM test equals your AM test result -- keep chlorinating every evening. You don't even need to do more than that, once you receive the K2006, until your chlorine is stable overnight. OTO is cheap and gives you enough information to get you through this stage of the process.

Ben

[chumpy36]

Thanks Ben...

So using the yellow test... I'm just looking for no change between pm and am? Basically just the same reading?

Thanks

JAson

[PoolDoc]

You got it in one!

[chumpy36]

Well UPS says my k-2006 will be here today so I'll do both tests and report the results. Thanks

[chumpy36]

I got the k-2006 and here are the numbers...

Ph=7.4
FC=15ppm
CC= 1ppm
TA=210
CYA= 30

So if I understand things correctly, I can stop adding chlorine now right? CC is down to a negligible level and FC is up?

What's next? Pool is still pretty cloudy. Not sure how efficient my filter is. I have replaced the sand in it once but's it probably been 4-5 years. I have added DE to the filter as of last night. It didn't go from 18ppm (after DE) to about 24-25 and at that point the flow had been reduced greatly so I backwashed and added DE again tonight.

Anything else I need to do tonight? Chlorine?

Thanks!

[aylad]

Keep the chlorine at or above the 15 ppm until the CC goes to 0 and/or you don't lose more than 1 ppm of chlorine overnight. Keep the filter running, and backwash/add more DE as needed. Patience!!!

Janet