What does this mean??

[poolmom06]

Ol I tested my water a little while ago,
My TA test was most unusual I put the two drops of stuff in, followed by the five drops of then did the drop by drop thing, the water never turned red, it turned a off white color, what does this mean? Is my TA high or low?? I need to know so I can treat accordingly... and know what things to get at the store tommorow, baking AND borax or just borax.
Also, my Ph was 6.8, is this a false reading, due to the TA reading or is this accurate??
This is making me NUTS!!
I DON't have the stuff to measure my CYA, but it was 181 on Friday...

[CarlD]

T/A can turn yellowish rather than red--it usually means the presence of an oxidizer--peroxide, oxy-shock, or even high levels of chlorine according to the PS-233 test kit. Could that be it?

If your chlorine is below 15 and you are using either Taylor 0004 or 0014 for pH testing (Ben's kit uses 0014) it is neutralized and your pH is accurate. If not, you may need to add two drops of chlorine neutralizer first (Thiosulfate).

But if it's reading low, your pH is probably correct.

[poolmom06]

I am using a Taylor kit, R-0014, So, on the TA I need to count how many drops until it turns white??

[poolmom06]

Went out and tested this dang water...
FC=5+
TC=5+
CC= 10+(?)
Ph-6.8
TA- 160
I don't have a test for CYA, so you're SOL!LOL!!
Anyway, it's a pretty cloudy blue this morning.
And yes I probably do have lot of an oxidizer considering I have used 7 bags of shock since Friday

[CarlD]

Can't be:

TC = FC + CC. That's always and forever.

If TC is 5 and FC is 5, CC MUST be 0.

[Sherra]

Sometimes when I'm testing mine will turn a white color first then another drop or two later it turns the "proper" color.

[waterbear]

Ol I tested my water a little while ago,
My TA test was most unusual I put the two drops of stuff in, followed by the five drops of then did the drop by drop thing, the water never turned red, it turned a off white color, what does this mean? Is my TA high or low?? I need to know so I can treat accordingly... and know what things to get at the store tommorow, baking AND borax or just borax.
Also, my Ph was 6.8, is this a false reading, due to the TA reading or is this accurate??
This is making me NUTS!!
I DON't have the stuff to measure my CYA, but it was 181 on Friday...

If the TA test goes from bluish to light yellow (almost clear) instead of from green to red that indicated interferance from high chlorine levels. Try adding a drop or two more of the first reagent and see if that gives you the green to red color change. If not then let your chlorine levels drop to below 10 ppm and retest!

How did you get the CYA reading of 181? CYA test is not accurate above 100 ppm and if you CYA is well above 100 ppm you really should drain and refill to get it down to more managable levels before you do anything else!

[poolmom06]

Thanks Waterbear!! I did what you suggested and got a green to red result but a reading 160! So do I need to lower the TA or let it go??
The CYA reading was from my pool store on Friday, Their parameters say that ideal range is 30-200. So do I need to get this down?

[Watermom]

CYA of 181 is way too high. If, like Waterbear said above, that reading is even accurate. 30-50 is a much better cya range. If your level really is that high, you should do a couple of partial drains to get it down to a more manageable level. Do not drain the whole pool at one time.

[poolmom06]

So if I vaccum to waste a couple times that will help?? I don't have a test kit that tests for CYA so I will have to go to the pool store, more than likely on Wednesday, since everyone will be out popping fireworks tommorow, is it something that can wait a day or two or should I go ahead and do a partial drain tommorow?