Test results on new pool in Tucson

[Wilco]

Pool is 32' x 13', sort of curved rectangle/trapezoid. 3' shallow to 10' deep. 18000 gallon I think with 500 gallon spa attached.

[FormerBromineUser]

What is your K2006 CYA reading? If 100, your actual CYA may be higher. If 100, try a dilution test to determine your actual level. Mix 1/2 cup distilled water with 1/2 cup pool water, and run the CYA test again. Multiply the result x2. Post your results, please.

[Wilco]

The cya tests between 90 and 110, given how the drop test is a little fuzzy

[PoolDoc]

Yes I used the Taylor kit for test.

*Which* Taylor kit?

If you have a DPD color match (K2005, etc) those are USELESS for diagnosing "no chlorine" problems. If you have a K2006, do the overnight bleach test, but test with BOTH the K2006 *and* an OTO drops kit. If you do NOT have the K2006 (or K1515) use only the OTO kit.

But . . . use an OTO kit no matter what!

[Wilco]

I have the 2006, I don't have an oto kit. Sounds like it's better for routine cl testing/management.?

[Watermom]

An OTO/Phenol Red kit (yellow and red drops) is useful for quick daily checks. It is what I use most days and then use the K2006 once a week or so. An exception is of course, if I have need to shock the pool and need to be able to test higher than 5ppm of chlorine. In that case, the K2006 is needed.

[PoolDoc]

OTO is not super accurate, but it covers the range from 0 - 50 ppm, and it's pretty much goof proof. The FAS-DPD test covers the same range, but it *can* be screwed up. The DPD color match (K2005) covers the range from 0 - 5 ppm, (0 - 10 ppm claimed, but few people can read the difference between a 5 ppm red and a 10 ppm red!) and there are multiple ways it can go wrong.

[Wilco]

Good help, thx. Tested with kit (Taylor) after gallon of bleach last night and borax the day before. Now at 7.4-7.6 and cl is 5 ppm on Taylor, although correlates at 1-2 ppm on strip. Think I'm ok for a bit, but will get oto kit for use as well.

[PoolDoc]

If chlorine levels hold overnight, but disappear during the day . . . your CYA is low. If your CYA testing is not indicating this, please watch the CYA test videos linked from the testkit page: http://pool9.net/tk/

[Wilco]

My cya has consistently tested high, like 100. That is consistent with the history of previous owners using trichlor tabs exclusively. I thinkits more a product of the super hard water here not allowing chlorine to stay free. (?)