What is the purpose of Trichlor Tabs ??

[jsaldi]

Sorry I did mean Calcium Hypochlorite. So I have put 3 1 lb bags in 56% each bags in. I will test again in a bit and repost. I tested the PH before adding the third bag of shock.

[jsaldi]

OK I tested with my Taylor kit then took samples to a local independently owned pool as well as Leslies. All are close by my house so I would say all testing was done within 30 minutes..
My numbers:
TC: 10
CC: .2
PH: 8.2
TA: 70
hardness: 400
CYA 180(diluted 50/50 multiplied by two)

Next was small pool store:
TC 12.33
CC:0
PH:7.9
TA:46
TA(adjusted) 13
hardness: 438
CYA 100
He said his cya test went up to 300, that high CYA was skewing the TA, to take 1/3 of CYA and subtract it from TA to get adjusted TA.
Recommended draining the pool by 1/4 and adding baking soda I had on hand which is about 8 lbs.
He said I should drain the pool 1/4 to lower the calcium and CYA.

On to Leslies:
TC:10
FC: 10
PH: 7.6
TA:80
CYA: 100
hardness: 250
He said everything looked good. I questioned him about the high CYA and he said it was OK to run the pool at high CYA, up to 300.
Also my husband wanted to know if we should backflush the DE filter, even though pressure is good, because of seeing algae. I think someone told him algae could be in the DE inside the filter.

[CarlD]

Run your tests again, only use the 10 ml line instead of the 25 ml line for chlorine (saves your FAS-DPD reagents). You listed TC but the kit tests for FC and CC. TC=FC + CC. Still, you and the stores looked close.
pH: Run your test again--that's awfully different than the two stores. I suspect you didn't read it correctly.
TA: DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT! And don't add the baking soda. Pool stores make more of an issue of TA being low than it needs to be.
Hardness: Test again with your kit, but I suspect your number is the best. Don't drain just to lower it.
CYA: Here you're all over the map. You have 360 (not 400) but the two stores have 100. Try the test again, normally, and see what you get.

IF your numbers are ACTUALLY:
FC=10
CC: <.5
pH: 7.6
TA: 70-80
CH: 400
CYA: 100

and your pool is clear then go swimming!

But run your tests again and see what you get. I like running the CYA test multiple times by pouring the solution back into the squeeze bottle then adding it to the black dot tube again. I'll always do it at least 2 times, sometimes 3.

[jsaldi]

I meant I got FC:10 and CC .2. I am a bit frazzled, sorry! I used the 10ml line and 25 ml line and got the same results as far as chlorine.
I got 90 when I tested the CYA diluted 50/50 then multiplied by 2 is where I came up with 180(not 360)
I won't add anything right now and see how it looks and test it tomorrow. I like your idea about the cya, that stupid dot on the bottom thing seems very unreliable

[CarlD]

You'll catch on. If you use the 10ml line you may (for example) get a reading of 10, 10.5 or 11. If you use the 25ml line you may get 10, 10.2, 10.4, 10.6, 10.8 or 11. 10 and 10.2 aren't significantly different, neither are 10.8 and 11. And 10.4, 10.5 and 10.6 all pretty much the same.

So you should get the same reading but the 25ml is more precise, but also uses 2 1/2 times more reagent for the test, so your R-0871 bottle empties faster.

The CYA test is THE most difficult, by far, test of all, but it's very, very important. The MOST important part is to use the same technique every time. It takes a while to get the hang of it.

[Watermom]

I don't believe small pool store when he says his CYA test can go up to 300. Baloney.