Moblaine's pool

[PoolDoc]

How can you test for ammonia?

This kit at Amazon *should* work, but we haven't verified that:

API Ammonia Test Kit (Salicylate)

To avoid losing ground, add 3 gallons, per 10K gallons of pool water, of PLAIN 6% household bleach each evening. Use an OTO kit to test before re-dosing; if you get a DARK yellow value in the evening, skip that dose.

Also, check your pH. If it's below 7.4, add 1 box of borax per 10K gallons of water, each evening as well. Continue till your pH is 7.4 or above. (Add slowly, via the skimmer, with your pump on.)

[moblaine]

Watermom, thanks for response. Will fix signature. Kit just arrived and I'm reading instructions so I can test when I get home.

I've had the Pool Frog for 7 years, ever since pool was opened with no green hair or staining. Is it the mineral reservoir that adds the copper? I have a copper test kit due to having a heater so keep an eye on it.

[moblaine]

Okay, got my first set of test results using the K-2006:
FC - 0.4
TC - 0.4
PH - 7.0
Alk - 100
Hardness - 130
CYA - 60

The pool water looks clean & clear with a little bit of brown stuff settling on bottom but the pollen is very high and collecting in skimmer sock.

PH result was lower than I anticipated -- Pool Store had said 7.4. Could the 7.0 PH be what is causing my lack of a chlorine reading? I've had short cycles of needing to backwash filter. I did end up backwashing on Thursday and already it needs it again (2 days later). Today we are opening up filter and cleaning everything then starting with a fresh batch of ZeoFiber.

Also - when "swirling" water in test kit tube, I assumed I should cap it so as not to lose any liquid. Should I try to avoid getting liquid on cap and simply "swirl" or is it okay to swirl it a lot?

[PoolDoc]

Hi Moblaine;

I put your test results in the spreadsheet visible at the 2nd link below. If you would, enter new results in the form at the first link. That will make it easier for us to keep up. If you do a set tomorrow, please include copper levels.

Pool History Form
Pool History Results

Regarding your pH, with most forms of chlorine, the pH will DROP as the chlorine is used up. I don't know if that's the case in your pool, or not. However, a fairly low pH is desirable while cleaning up copper.

But, I'm not clear: do you want to continue using the Frog product? If you don't mind the possible side effects, the copper does NOT hurt anything, sanitation wise, and it is algaecidal. The problem is, it is NOT a sanitizer, and you have to maintain higher chlorine levels than suggested, in order to maintain a sanitized pool.

[moblaine]

I'm new at this forum and wasn't sure but I think you wanted me to fill out those forms? When I open the Pool History Results it's mostly filled out so I filled out the Pool History Form. Let me know if I failed to do something I should have. Thanks for any help.

[PoolDoc]

Yeah, I entered the results you'd listed in post #5 above; if you could, please enter new results as you get them.

As far as being new -- everyone's new to this. It's something that just became possible, but that I've wanted to be able to do for a long time. I've just started setting up the spread sheets.

[moblaine]

Hi Ben, I will re-test tomorrow and add results. I tested for copper today and had none so will add those results to the chart.

Can you explain to me - Do I need to worry about the copper/Ph thing if I don't seem to have a copper problem?

Also, I am confused about the Frog question - are we both talking about the products from King Tech? A friend of my husband's installed our pool (he's in the installation business but doesn't sell chemicals). He has us using the same things he uses. Every year I insert a new Mineral Reservoir into the Frog but instead of paying an arm & a leg for their Bac Pacs, I just cut the bottom off and fill them with 1" or 3" tri-chlor tabs. What are the side effects you mention? Wouldn't the tri-chlor tabs BE a sanitizer? I apologize if I'm being slow to catch on here, it can be overwhelming. Thanks for your help.

[PoolDoc]

Can you explain to me - Do I need to worry about the copper/Ph thing if I don't seem to have a copper problem?

No. If you have 0.0 ppm copper, it's not an issue.

Also, I am confused about the Frog question - are we both talking about the products from King Tech? A friend of my husband's installed our pool (he's in the installation business but doesn't sell chemicals). He has us using the same things he uses. Every year I insert a new Mineral Reservoir into the Frog but instead of paying an arm & a leg for their Bac Pacs, I just cut the bottom off and fill them with 1" or 3" tri-chlor tabs. What are the side effects you mention? Wouldn't the tri-chlor tabs BE a sanitizer?

You're not 'using' the Frog, your 'abusing' it!

The mineral reservoir has copper in it. But I don't think it always succeeds at adding copper to the pool (in other words: it fails to work, which is good, but expensive).

You're sort of working around their program, using their feeder. You need to watch out for staining when you replace the mineral pack. However, if you are just using the plastic cartridge as a holder for your own tabs . . . why do you need a new one?

[moblaine]

No. If you have 0.0 ppm copper, it's not an issue.



You're not 'using' the Frog, your 'abusing' it!

The mineral reservoir has copper in it. But I don't think it always succeeds at adding copper to the pool (in other words: it fails to work, which is good, but expensive).

You're sort of working around their program, using their feeder. You need to watch out for staining when you replace the mineral pack. However, if you are just using the plastic cartridge as a holder for your own tabs . . . why do you need a new one?

Good point - what are the disadvantages to not using a mineral reservoir?

Also -you mentioned earlier adding "3 gallons, per 10K gallons of pool water, of PLAIN 6% household bleach each evening. Use an OTO kit to test before re-dosing; if you get a DARK yellow value in the evening, skip that dose."

Question: Is it put in during evening so that it can work without sunlight affecting it? I'm anxious to put it in now but can see the wisdom in waiting until tonight. It's supposed to rain heavily & possibly hail today, does that make a difference? Now that I have the K-2006 as opposed to using the OTO kit you mentioned, at what measurement do I stop putting in the 6% bleach? I just went to Wal-Mart & 2 large grocery stores in the nearest "city" and bought all the large containers of 6% bleach I could find. The price worked out to about $2/gallon but liquid chlorine can be bought with 12.5% from local hardware store for $4/gallon. Seems like the price is equal or am I missing something?

Borax was hard to find but I did locate 4 boxes at a grocery store. Is this also pertinent to add at night?