New here

[Watermom]

Hi back at you! Glad you found us. Let us know when you have something you need help with. We'll be here and be glad to try and help!

[Big Splash]

I've got the pool opened nice and clear blue. Bought a K-2006 test kit. Likely will have questions on testing procedures. I'm reviewing the videos from Taylor now. Just wanna keep it all balanced.

Thanks

[Watermom]

Sounds like you are doing your homework! Good that you bought the kit. You'll be glad you did!

[Big Splash]

Yes, I've reviewed all vids have been testing each day for the last 5. But now, I've hit a problem.

Backdrop...

20,000 gal, 16x32 vinyl liner, sand filter.

I started adding adding CYA at the start of testing since I was getting no reading. Slowly added 3 pounds in the skimmer and was using trichlor tabs raise the amount at a controlled rate beyond that. As expected, the pH dropped as the CYA level accumulated. As of yesterday 5pm, the readings were;
Temp 76
FC 3.0
pH 6.5
TA 100
CYA still less than 30
CC 0.5

All looks pretty good (other than pH) and water nice and clear.

So, I added 15 pounds soda ash per my little pool pal Andriod app. I spread it all around the pool. I also added a 5 gal jug of liq chlorine. I didn't really want to add that much, but the lid was on so tight I could only get it off by prying it with a screwdriver. So I put it all in because it couldn't be reclosed.

Did another test this morning at 5am;
Temp 75
FC 5.6
pH 7.5
TA 170
CYA still below 30
CC 5.2

Came home at 5pm, pulled off the solar cover and saw a white caked layer at the bottom of the pool. I didn't notice that in the morning due to the cover being on. So, I guess I added the soda ash too quickly and stuck to the bottom. The filter ran for 1-2 hours after I put in the soda ash. I guess that wasn't long enough. I brushed it up off the bottom and now there's a cloudy mess in there. Should I be worried?

I took some more readings afterward;
Temp 77
FC 6.0
pH 7.2
TA 170
CC 2.6

Thanks in advance for any help.

Splash

[Watermom]

You'll just have to keep filtering to try and clear the water. We don't typically advise using soda ash. Instead, we use 20 Mule Team Borax (laundry aisle at Walmart) to raise pH.

I think you have some testing errors with your chlorine as I really doubt that you have a CC reading of 5.2 or 2.6. Can you please tell me what steps you are doing to test your FC and CC?

[Big Splash]

Thanks for the reply.

Using soda ash for two reasons. 1st, I figured the TA would drop down as the CYA would dissolve (read borax doesn't effect TA). 2nd, the pool store and Walmart are totally opposite directions from my house. I also wanted pick up more liq chlorine and 2oz bottles of testing chems.

CC quotes above likely off by a decimal point (I think).

Ran the filter all night. Looks better but still clearing. It's pouring rain right now. So, I'll take more readings later.

Thanks again,
Splash

[Watermom]

I don't think the CC numbers are due to being off by a decimal point. Even a CC reading of .52 or .26 don't make sense or if you go the other way to 52 or 26 either.

To clarify how to run the CC test,
You use the same sample as you have been using to test for FC. You add 5 drops of R-0003. If the sample turns pink, you have some CC. You then add drops of R-0871, one drop at a time, just as before, swirling to mix after each drop, until the sample turns clear. Then, multiply the number of drops by 0.5 (if you used a 10mL water sample) or by 0.2 (if you used a 25 mL water sample.) That would give you your CC reading.

(IF the sample does NOT turn pink, then your CC reading is 0 which is ideal!)

(By the way, best to use the 10ml water sample as that will conserve your reagents.)