Brown pool

[Riverpixy]

I don't know what happened to my reply to aylad because I had all the details about my pool and what I have used. Just a brief answer to the Questions that were asked:
(What type/size of pump and filter do you have on this pool?) It is a Sta-rite (larger one) with a 1/5 H.P. pump.
(What are you using to test your water with) I was using Aqua Check strips and teh Aqua Chek reader and strips.
(and what are your levels for pH, alk, and CYA?) With the strips the Ph was 7.4, Alk - 80-100 and Cya was low to normal - all of these vary with the test strips and meter
(Can you take a water sample to the pool store and ask them to test it for metals?) I did. Pool store was no help as they just used the strips and did not even follow the instructions. I took a sample to a water softener store. They said they did not find metals but PH was 7.3 and Alkaline was 180

So I felt the Alkaline was the problem and continued to work on decreasing it. Now my pool is clear! Yeah!

Since I found this pool forum, I started to read that that the strips and Aqau chek reader were not reliable. The Aqau chek reader has been terrible and is going back! I have been reading about your TF100 and K-2006 comparison. I am going to order one of these. Which one do you recommend?

Also I see you have recommend household bleach for chlorinating? The shock I used was Calcium hypochlorite, which turned the water brown immediately. I also have Sodium Dichloro-s-triazinetrione, which I think is better? I have trichlor tablets in my floater. What are your recommendations about chlorinating?

I like this forum and I think I will learn a lot and I really need the help. I can't get much help from pool stores around here.

[waterbear]

I have been reading about your TF100 and K-2006 comparison. I am going to order one of these. Which one do you recommend?

IF you are talking about the test kit comparison over at Trouble Free Pool I wrote that when I was a Moderator over there and I slanted it toward the TF100 to help the person who now owns that site get his fledgling test kit business off the ground. The TF-100 is a direct copy of a kit that PoolDoc used to sell BUT I actually prefer the K-2006 for several reasons (I own both, in fact I own 2 TF-100s and PoolDoc's PS234s, in additions t a few Taylor kits).. I feel the original Taylor dropper bottles are better than the ones in the TF100 and the purpose of the larger CYA View tube in the TF 100 is to make you go through CYA reagent faster--granted it does measure down to 20 ppm instead of 30 but since CYA is normally kept at 30 ppm or higher that is a moot point and part of the decision as to which view tube to include WAS based on the fact that the larger one went through reagent twice as fast. I was consulted on designing that kit and remember that phone conversation.) Also the pH test in the K-2006 (2000 series comparator and reagent R-0004)is a higher precision test (increments every .2) and includes acid and base demand tests, which are useful in some circumstances compared to the 1000 series comparator and R-0014 reagent used in the TF-100.

I just ordered my Taylor K-2006 kit. Pool Supply World had it for $45 with $8 shipping.

Thanks,
Diane

That price has me suspect. Make SURE you got a K-2006 and not a K-2005 or other Taylor kit. They are not the same!
Interestingly enough, they also sell the K-2005 for $60 and that is a less expensive kit than the K-2006 so something is not right. (and I noticed that they are selling the TF100 also)

[PoolDoc]

I checked -- they ARE listing the K-2006, and they have the correct pictures. I'm guessing that may be some sort of clearance price, but it's a good deal as long as it lasts. Since currently Amato does NOT have the kits available, the cost at Amazon is about $60. I think Amato may pick their kits up at Taylor themselves, and keep a minimum inventory.