First testing with K-2006

[Watermom]

The reason for the Borax dosing alongside the dichlor is because dichlor is acidic and will bring your pH down. So, to counteract that downward pull, the Borax is added. However, if your pH is higher than maybe 7.6, I'd skip the Borax that evening. After you have added a few doses of the dichlor, you'll learn how much it affects your pH and you can adjust your Borax additions accordingly. As long as your pH stays between 7.0-8.0, (best in the mid 7s) you're ok.

When your CYA level gets to around 50ppm, you'll want to quit using dichlor and switch to just using bleach so your CYA level won't get too high.

[mommak]

Thanks a million Watermom. Your expertise and knowledge is greatly appreciated. Tonight I will begin my dose of borax and dichlor. When I test tomorrow morning I will post my numbers.

[Watermom]

You are welcome. Glad that we can help.

[mommak]

Okay, this morning testing didn't go as well. Here's my results,
FC- 5.0
CC- after 10 drops of R-0871 10 ml didn't turn pink
pH- 8.0 before adding 5 drops of R-0004, then after adding 3 drops of R-0005 pH is 7.2
Still no CYA, added 1 c. dichlor and 1 c. borax last night.
What do I need to do and or add?

[BigDave]

I think you may be doing the CC test incorrectly. To review:
1)Add a scoop or two of DPD powder (R-0870) to 10ml sample. If it turns pink you have FC, do step 1.1. Otherwise FC=0, skip 1.1.
1.1)Add drops of R-0871 counting drops and swirling until pink turns clear. Multiply drop count by 0.5 to get FC in ppm.
2)Add 5 drops R-0003 to sample and swirl. If it turns pink you have CC, do step 2.1. Otherwise CC=0, skip 2.1.
2.1)Add drops of R-0871 counting drops and swirling until pink turns clear. Multiply drop count by 0.5 to get CC in ppm.

I think you should stop adding Borax until pH gets to 7.4.

No need to test for CYA until you've used up a few pounds of dichlor, I'd wait until I used about eight pounds of dichlor before testing again.

[Watermom]

Are you following the Super Simple recipe?

Have you watched the testing demo videos? http://pool9.net/K2006-vid/

[Watermom]

Just to reiterate for clarity --

If you have NO pink on step 3 from Dave's post above, you do NOT add the drops of R-0871 on step 4.

[mommak]

Yes, I am following the Super Simple Recipe. I did exactly what BigDave posted above, except for after I added the 5 drops of R-0003, my solution did not turn pink,so I kept adding more drops. After a total of 10 drops it still didn't turn pink,so I stopped adding the R-0003. Does this mean that my pool does not have Combined chlorine?
I am a bit confused with the pH testing. Which pH result number is the accurate one to use? The result after I add the R-0004 or the one after I add the R-0005?
I will hold off on testing for CYA until after I have used about 8lbs of the dichlor.