Are my chemistry instructions correct?

[consoleman]

I got this by watching the taylor website and just wanted to ask if they are good?

Free and Combined Chlorine using FAS-DPD
Chlorine level unknown or low - 1 drop = 0.2 parts per million (ppm), 25 mL sample (using this one in example)

Chlorine level is anticipated high (Shocked recently) - 1 drop = 0.5 ppm, 10 mL sample

Fill large comparator tube to the 25 mL (or 10 mL) mark and add 2 dippers of DPD powder (R-0870) then swirl until all the power dissolves. If free chlorine is present the sample will turn pink. If the pink color disappears, continue adding DPD powder 1 dipper at a time mixing between additions until sample turns pink again.

Add 1 drop of R-0871 at a time while swirling until sample turns colorless. Multiple the number of R-0871 drops added by 0.2 (or 0.5), record as parts per million free chlorine.

Using the same sample add 5 drops of R-0003 then swirl to mix. If combined chlorine is present the sample will turn pink. Add 1 drop of R-0871 at a time while swirling until sample turns colorless then add 1 more to be certain the color change is permanent. If the color remains unchanged do not count this drop. Multiple the number of R-0871 drops added by 0.2 (or 0.5), record as parts per million combined chlorine.

PH
Fill large comparator tube to the 44 mL. Add 5 drops of R-0004 then cap and invert to mix. Color match to graph.

TA (Total Alkalinity)
Total Alkalinity level unknown or low - Fill large comparator tube to the 25 mL and add 2 drops of R-0007 then swirl to mix. Then add 5 drops of R-0008 and swirl to mix; the sample should turn green. Add 1 drop of R-0009 at a time while swirling until sample turns red then add 1 more to be certain the color change is permanent. If the color remains unchanged do not count this drop. Multiple the number of R-0009 drops added by 10, record as parts per million total alkalinity as calcium carbonate.

Total Alkalinity level is anticipated high - Fill comparator tube to the 10 mL and add 1 drop of R-0007 then swirl to mix. Then add 3 drops of R-0008 and swirl to mix; the sample should turn green. Add 1 drop of R-0009 at a time while swirling until sample turns red then add 1 more to be certain the color change is permanent. If the color remains unchanged do not count this drop. Multiple the number of R-0009 drops added by 25, record as parts per million total alkalinity as calcium carbonate.

Calcium Hardness
Calcium Hardness level unknown or low - Fill large comparator tube to the 25 mL and add 20 drops of R-0010 then swirl to mix. Then add 5 drops of R-0011L then swirl to mix. If calcium hardness is present the sample will turn red. then swirl to mix. Add 1 drop of R-0012 at a time while swirling until sample turns from red to blue then add 1 more to be certain the color change is permanent. If the color remains unchanged do not count this drop. Multiple the number of R-0012 drops added by 10, record as parts per million calcium hardness as calcium carbonate.

Calcium Hardness level is anticipated high - Fill large comparator tube to the 10 mL and add 10 drops of R-0010 then swirl to mix. Then add 3 drops of R-0011L then swirl to mix. If calcium hardness is present the sample will turn red. then swirl to mix. Add 1 drop of R-0012 at a time while swirling until sample turns from red to blue then add 1 more to be certain the color change is permanent. If the color remains unchanged do not count this drop. Multiple the number of R-0012 drops added by 25, record as parts per million Calcium Hardness as calcium carbonate.

CYA (Cyanuric Acid/Stabilizer)
Fill the CYA dispensing bottle #9191 to 7 mL and add R-0014 up to the 14 mL mark then cap and mix for 30 seconds. Slowly transfer the cloudy solution to the small comparator tube untill the black dot on the bottom just disappers when viewed from the top. Then read the value on the small comparator tube, record as parts per million cyanuric acid.

[consoleman]

I think i got the process correct by viewing the videos. What i dont know is how to increase or lower PH, TA, CYA, and Calcium Hardness. I know with what to raise them just not the dosage.

[CarlD]

I got this by watching the taylor website and just wanted to ask if they are good?

Free and Combined Chlorine using FAS-DPD
Chlorine level unknown or low - 1 drop = 0.2 parts per million (ppm), 25 mL sample (using this one in example)

Chlorine level is anticipated high (Shocked recently) - 1 drop = 0.5 ppm, 10 mL sample

You'll never need to bother with the 25mL sample. 10mL is enough even when the FC level is between 0 and 1.

Fill large comparator tube to the 25 mL (or 10 mL) mark and add 2 dippers of DPD powder (R-0870) then swirl until all the power dissolves. If free chlorine is present the sample will turn pink. If the pink color disappears, continue adding DPD powder 1 dipper at a time mixing between additions until sample turns pink again.

If you need to add more than two dippers of DPD powder something is wrong. If you have any FC at all, even 1ppm, the fluid should at least tinge pink with one dipper. I've had FC levels up to 25 and only one dipper was needed.

Add 1 drop of R-0871 at a time while swirling until sample turns colorless. Multiple the number of R-0871 drops added by 0.2 (or 0.5), record as parts per million free chlorine.

Using the same sample add 5 drops of R-0003 then swirl to mix. If combined chlorine is present the sample will turn pink. Add 1 drop of R-0871 at a time while swirling until sample turns colorless then add 1 more to be certain the color change is permanent. If the color remains unchanged do not count this drop. Multiple the number of R-0871 drops added by 0.2 (or 0.5), record as parts per million combined chlorine.

This last is correct. Stick with the .5 for 10mL and save your reagents. You'll never need to be closer than .5 on your FC or CC measurements.

PH
Fill large comparator tube to the 44 mL. Add 5 drops of R-0004 then cap and invert to mix. Color match to graph.

I like to hold something white behind the cell/tube and put my back to the sun to get the best match.

TA (Total Alkalinity)
Total Alkalinity level unknown or low - Fill large comparator tube to the 25 mL and add 2 drops of R-0007 then swirl to mix. Then add 5 drops of R-0008 and swirl to mix; the sample should turn green. Add 1 drop of R-0009 at a time while swirling until sample turns red then add 1 more to be certain the color change is permanent. If the color remains unchanged do not count this drop. Multiple the number of R-0009 drops added by 10, record as parts per million total alkalinity as calcium carbonate.

R-0007 is a chlorine neutralizer so the chlorine doesn't taint the test. Adding R-0009 the solution will sometimes go from green to a greyish/purple, but the next drop will turn it red--that's the drop that counts.

Total Alkalinity level is anticipated high - Fill comparator tube to the 10 mL and add 1 drop of R-0007 then swirl to mix. Then add 3 drops of R-0008 and swirl to mix; the sample should turn green. Add 1 drop of R-0009 at a time while swirling until sample turns red then add 1 more to be certain the color change is permanent. If the color remains unchanged do not count this drop. Multiple the number of R-0009 drops added by 25, record as parts per million total alkalinity as calcium carbonate.

I've.never.done.this.ever. I don't know if anyone has. You can measure EASILY up to 200ppm with the regular test, and if it's that high, you'll need to lower T/A by our ratcheting aeration method.

Calcium Hardness
Calcium Hardness level unknown or low - Fill large comparator tube to the 25 mL and add 20 drops of R-0010 then swirl to mix. Then add 5 drops of R-0011L then swirl to mix. If calcium hardness is present the sample will turn red. then swirl to mix. Add 1 drop of R-0012 at a time while swirling until sample turns from red to blue then add 1 more to be certain the color change is permanent. If the color remains unchanged do not count this drop. Multiple the number of R-0012 drops added by 10, record as parts per million calcium hardness as calcium carbonate.

Similar to the T/A test.

Calcium Hardness level is anticipated high - Fill large comparator tube to the 10 mL and add 10 drops of R-0010 then swirl to mix. Then add 3 drops of R-0011L then swirl to mix. If calcium hardness is present the sample will turn red. then swirl to mix. Add 1 drop of R-0012 at a time while swirling until sample turns from red to blue then add 1 more to be certain the color change is permanent. If the color remains unchanged do not count this drop. Multiple the number of R-0012 drops added by 25, record as parts per million Calcium Hardness as calcium carbonate.

I've never done this. I don't know if anyone has.

CYA (Cyanuric Acid/Stabilizer)
Fill the CYA dispensing bottle #9191 to 7 mL and add R-0014 up to the 14 mL mark then cap and mix for 30 seconds. Slowly transfer the cloudy solution to the small comparator tube untill the black dot on the bottom just disappers when viewed from the top. Then read the value on the small comparator tube, record as parts per million cyanuric acid.

OK, what they don't tell you is: 1) Hold the black dot tube at waist level, facing the sun while you do this. 2) You can repeat this test multiple times by merely pouring the solution back into the squeeze bottle and pouring it back into the black dot tube. I always do it at least 2 times. 3) ALWAYS do this test the same way so even if you're not doing it correctly, you're doing it consistently (that doesn't include the number of times you do the test.) 4) the scale on the tube is NOT linear but logarithmic. Halfway between 40 and 50 ppm is NOT 45 ppm but closer to 43 or 44ppm.5) This is the toughest test to do right and it will take time to get really good at it (if ever). Just be consistent and you'll be OK.

Please see my notes in RED.

[CarlD]

I think i got the process correct by viewing the videos. What i dont know is how to increase or lower PH, TA, CYA, and Calcium Hardness. I know with what to raise them just not the dosage.

Amounts depend on the volume of your pool.

pH--add acid to lower, Borax or Washing Soda (same as pool store pH raisers) to raise it.
TA--add baking soda to raise, or Washing Soda if you want to raise pH as well. See our ratcheting--aeration method to lower TA (lower pH with acid to around 7 or 7.1, raise pH again by aerating the water--fountain, kids splashing etc).
CYA--Raise by adding CYA. Lower by dilution--drain off water and add fresh.
CH -- Raise by adding calcium flakes or Cal-Hypo chlorine. Lower by dilution.

[BigDave]

... DPD powder (R-0870) then swirl until all the power dissolves. ...

I don't think all the powder dissolves - I don't think it's supposed to.
I have seen the sample turn clear after a flash of pink - a second dipper of DPD powder is all I've ever needed to bring the pink back.

[consoleman]

Amounts depend on the volume of your pool.

Inst there a mathematical formula to calculate it? I'm primarily worried about chlorine and I don't fully understand Ben's best guess chart. I know I have to CYA first to find out where its at and then gage the FC to that. Why am I testing for FC and CC to add them up and get TC when the best guess chart is for FC? Why not just test for FC only?

[CarlD]

I didn't see the pool volume before. Did you add it as a sig? There is a tool called "The Bleach Calculator" that I don't use, but others do, that gives you recommended amounts.
But for chlorine, the formula is:
(1,000,000 / pool volume) * (Bleach Concentration as a decimal) * gallons of bleach = PPM of FC added. (FC means Free Chlorine)

Bleach concentration means "6%" bleach is 0.06. "12.5%" is .125

So 1,000,000 / 17600 = 56.8

56.8 * .06 * 1 (that is, one gallon of bleach) = 3.41.

That means a gallon of "Ultra Bleach" that's 6% strength will add 3.4ppm of FC to your pool.

A gallon of 12.5% will add 8.5ppm of FC in your pool.

I generally ball-park the adding Muriatic Acid (1 cup at a time), Borax and/or Baking Soda (1/4 box at a time), CYA usually is marked to indicate how many pounds of stabilizer will raise CYA a certain amount per x# of gallons.

Hope that helps

[consoleman]

Thanks!!

[Watermom]

FC + CC = TC. If you know two of the values, you can determine the third. You need to know the CC level because if it is greater than 0.5ppm, it may indicate that you have an algae bloom beginning in your water. Or, if you have recently had an algae bloom, it can indicate that you haven't totally killed it off and thus need to continue shocking the pool.

Some pools close with a CYA reading and then open to none. In this case, it means that your CYA has biodegraded and the end result is that you end up with a lot of ammonia as a byproduct. This will show up as a low FC reading and a high CC reading even though your water may look clear. If you only had an FC reading, you would not know that something was amiss..

Hope this helps.

[consoleman]

My FC is suppose to be between 8 and 15. I now have 20ppm, after letting the chlorine go down from 25 (shock) last week by not adding chlorine. Is it harmful to for my gunite pool if I have a high chlorine FC level for an extended time? I don't plan on adding anymore chlorine, I rather have it go down to 12ppm slowly rater than draining.