Here are my numbers...?

[crazimom]

FC......4.7
TC......5.0
pH......7.5
CYA....48
TAlk....84
Cal.....201............My pool looks great !!
This test was done at my pool builders shop. They told me to let my Chlorine go down a bit and then raise my my Alk. Is my Cl really too high?? This is a family owned business that has been here for 20+ years. They aren't quite as forceful about telling you you "have" to do what they tell you. They actually told me that baking soda was the same as their alk up. But their prices are so reasonable I usually buy it from them. However... they recomend soda ash. What is the difference in using soda ash and borax.
BTW... I use pucks and cal hypo shock , which I purchased before I stumbled onto this website, so i can't afford to switch to BBB this year anyway.
PS...I'm attempting to add a picture of my pool.
Thanks !!!!

[CarlD]

FC......4.7
TC......5.0
pH......7.5
CYA....48
TAlk....84
Cal.....201............My pool looks great !!
This test was done at my pool builders shop. They told me to let my Chlorine go down a bit and then raise my my Alk. Is my Cl really too high?? This is a family owned business that has been here for 20+ years. They aren't quite as forceful about telling you you "have" to do what they tell you. They actually told me that baking soda was the same as their alk up. But their prices are so reasonable I usually buy it from them. However... they recomend soda ash. What is the difference in using soda ash and borax.
BTW... I use pucks and cal hypo shock , which I purchased before I stumbled onto this website, so i can't afford to switch to BBB this year anyway.
PS...I'm attempting to add a picture of my pool.
Thanks !!!!

Nice looking pool! Looks almost like a Kayak.

Your Chlorine is NOT too high--especially since your CYA is 50ppm (48 ppm is a number they couldn't possibly obtain accurately). In fact, I think your chlorine is perfect for that CYA level. Do NOT attempt to go lower. Your Tot Alk is OK just a shade lower than I like. Your pH is perfect.

Soda Ash will raise your pH AND your Total Alkalinity. Borax will only raise your pH. Baking soda will only raise your Total Alk. So I would NOT use soda ash--7.5 is a PERFECT ph. Use 1 lb of baking soda, wait a day or so and re-test Tot Alk. When you pass 100ppm, you can stop, although 80-90 is a good number (84 is another absurd reading--they are guessing).

FC=5.0 and CYA =50: Good matching values--you can go higher safely on FC.
pH=7.5: PERFECT! It ain't broke, don't fix it!
Tot Alk 84: OK, but could go up a little--1 lb of baking soda may do it.
CA=200...Vinyl pool, anything under500 is fine and harmless. Over 500 can cloud your water. You do NOT need calcium at all.

Looking good!