Newbie from Tx

[TxE4GL3k]

Howdy, guys.

Starting to take care of my pool since this spring. Just learned a few basics from here and TroublePoolFree (TPF).

Anyways, based on comparison info by TPF, i purchased TF Testkits TF100. Is it better than Taylor 2006C? I mean, what's chlorine OTO test?

Thank you so much

[Watermom]

If you have the TF100 kit, you can use that. It includes a FAS-DPD chlorine test which is good. An OTO/Phenol Red kit is the kind of kit you see at Walmart that has the yellow and red drops. You can pick one up inexpensively. It is also good to have for quick daily checks.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[TxE4GL3k]

If you have the TF100 kit, you can use that. It includes a FAS-DPD chlorine test which is good. An OTO/Phenol Red kit is the kind of kit you see at Walmart that has the yellow and red drops. You can pick one up inexpensively. It is also good to have for quick daily checks.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

Thank you so much, Watermom. As a matter of fact, i just start taking care of pool by myself recently, cuz I realized that professional pool guys i hired didn't do that much work(clean debris from pool and skimmer buckets, backwash) but asked for $150/month, and I dont think they even add salt or water tests regularly.

If you dont mind, i do have some extra questions for you, hope you could help me sort them out.

before questions, I think it would be better that i could list some info about my pool.

32ft x 25ft x (4.5ft ~ 8.0ft) about 24k ~ 25k gallon SWG pool with spa

most recent water test results from pool store
pH: 8.0 (have added 1 qt of gallon muriatic acid after knowing that)
FC: 0.5 (have added 56 fl oz bleach 8.25% after running 4 hrs since muriatic acid added)
Salt: 2600 ppm
CYA: 50~60ppm
TA: (cannot remember, but I believe its on okay level)
Phosphate: 800~1000 ppm

Normally, i take water sample to pool store weekly. But i feel it may have something to do with their marketing tactics, i dont remember there is one time i dont need to buy something from them. That's one of reasons I'd like to start doing water tests by myself now.

Okay, here are questions I hope you could help me with.

1. There is no reagent from my current Testkit which could provide borate level. Should I get strips for the test? I mean, pool store didn't even perform any test for that either.

2. Also, no reagent from TF100 or Taylor K2006C is provided for Salt lvl test. How often should I perform that? should I get a K1766 testkit or just go up pool store and do test monthly?

3. CYA is on the edge of requirement. I wonder if i should add some conditioner through skimmer shortly. Conditioner I got from pool store is about $40, any other alternative cheaper choices there? Also, is there anything I should be careful when adding it? I mean, someone said i have to run pump for a long time after adding conditioner since it's very thick, otherwise it may clog pump.

Again, really appreciate it your time and patience.

[Watermom]

The kits (salt and borates) you need can be found through this link:> http://pool9.net/tk/

What is the CYA requirement for your SWCG? If you are below the recommended level, then add a little. Pour it slowly into the skimmer and then keep your pump running 24/7 for the next 4-5 days to give it time to dissolve and don't backwash the filter during that time period either. (I assume it is a sand filter?) Alternately, you can add put CYA into an old sock and hang it in front of a return jet and give the sock a squeeze every now and then to help it dissolve faster.

Hope this helps!

[TxE4GL3k]

The kits (salt and borates) you need can be found through this link:> http://pool9.net/tk/

What is the CYA requirement for your SWCG? If you are below the recommended level, then add a little. Pour it slowly into the skimmer and then keep your pump running 24/7 for the next 4-5 days to give it time to dissolve and don't backwash the filter during that time period either. (I assume it is a sand filter?) Alternately, you can add put CYA into an old sock and hang it in front of a return jet and give the sock a squeeze every now and then to help it dissolve faster.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for so quick response there.

So, I guess both salt and borates tests are also essential, and I should get both kits, right?

when you say "keep your pump running 24/7 for the next 4-5 days", you mean running pump all the time (24 hours) for 5 days? that sounds really a lot.

[Watermom]

You only need the borates kit if you want to have a high borate pool. Most people don't but it is up to you.

I do mean run the pump 24/7 for those few days. CYA is slow to dissolve and you don't really want a pile of undissolved acid sitting in your filter without water running through it constantly.

By the way, the CYA container may tell you to broadcast it across the pool's surface but don't for the same reason as above. You don't want undissolved CYA sitting on your liner.

[TxE4GL3k]

You only need the borates kit if you want to have a high borate pool. Most people don't but it is up to you.

I do mean run the pump 24/7 for those few days. CYA is slow to dissolve and you don't really want a pile of undissolved acid sitting in your filter without water running through it constantly.

By the way, the CYA container may tell you to broadcast it across the pool's surface but don't for the same reason as above. You don't want undissolved CYA sitting on your liner.

Got it. Thank you so much.

[Watermom]

You are welcome!