Numbers question

[TanaRayne]

Thanks for helping me understand a bit better now.

So, the CH comes from the tap, and as water leaves the pool, from evaporation or splash out, the CH does not leave, it stays. And when I refill the pool, I am adding more CH to the water, making the CH level rise?

I think that's it.

BUT...as I sit here and look through sample numbers. Now I know to take what the pool store says with a grain of salt, and that is why I come here, after I visit the store.

July 2005
CH 30.0 Below Minimum

March 2006
CH 70.0 Below Minimum

July 2006
CH 100.0 Below Minimum

Oct 2006
CH 50.0 Below Minimum

March 2007 (today)
CH 150.0 Below Minimum

From what you told me, I am thinking it will just rise and rise. But by looking at the store numbers, it is a mod podge of up and down.

I am only asking to try and learn.

As for the CYA levels. On the last report, in October, the level was at 10.00, so maybe with the colder months, it did evaporate. I really don't know. I just test and go from there. And alternate seasons, with the inline and bleach.

I was telling someone the other day. I bought this house 5 years ago, and it came with the pool. I knew nothing, and I mean zip, nada about taking care of a pool. I found this site and have read and asked questions. My pool has never been yuck. Now there have been a couple of times, of cloudy water, but always got it back on track, by following recommedations from here.

This is a very knowledgeable group of people.

Thanks for helping me.
Kathy

[chem geek]

I've ever so slightly corrected some things you said below in blue, just to try and make things clear.

Thanks for helping me understand a bit better now.

So, the CH comes from the tap, and as water leaves the pool, from evaporation or splash out, the CH does not leave, it stays. And when I refill the pool, I am adding more CH to the water, making the CH level rise?

The CH will not leave from evaporation, but it WILL leave from splash-out. Evaporation simply removes water but leaves everything that is dissolved in the water to remain in the pool. Splash-out (or backwashing) removes both the water and the stuff in the water.

I think that's it.

BUT...as I sit here and look through sample numbers. Now I know to take what the pool store says with a grain of salt, and that is why I come here, after I visit the store.

July 2005
CH 30.0 Below Minimum

March 2006
CH 70.0 Below Minimum

July 2006
CH 100.0 Below Minimum

Oct 2006
CH 50.0 Below Minimum

March 2007 (today)
CH 150.0 Below Minimum

From what you told me, I am thinking it will just rise and rise. But by looking at the store numbers, it is a mod podge of up and down.
Unless you had some serious splash-out and backwashing from July to October, I would agree with you that the pool store isn't measuring your water very well.

I am only asking to try and learn.

I would suggest you buy a Taylor K-2006 test kit or an equivalent test kit that tests for chlorine using a FAS-DPD drop test and also tests for Total Alkalinity (TA), Calcium Hardness (CH) and Cyanuric Acid (CYA). Don't be intimidated by testing the water yourself -- it really is easy and we're all here to help you through it if you have any questions.

As for the CYA levels. On the last report, in October, the level was at 10.00, so maybe with the colder months, it did evaporate. I really don't know. I just test and go from there. And alternate seasons, with the inline and bleach.

It's certainly possible such a low CYA went away, but if your CYA was truly near zero, you should be losing most of your chlorine in your pool VERY quickly, if the pool is exposed to sunlight. If your CYA is really that low, then you could use your inline feeder (I presume with Trichlor) to add more CYA to your pool. However, with Trichlor you'll need to add more base to your pool, such as Borax, since Trichlor is quite acidic. Your higher TA is actually better when you use Trichlor -- my comments about it being at 80 or so apply to using bleach as your primary source of chlorine.

I was telling someone the other day. I bought this house 5 years ago, and it came with the pool. I knew nothing, and I mean zip, nada about taking care of a pool. I found this site and have read and asked questions. My pool has never been yuck. Now there have been a couple of times, of cloudy water, but always got it back on track, by following recommedations from here.

This is a very knowledgeable group of people.

Thanks for helping me.

Your most welcome and I agree that there are many very knowledgeable and helpful people on this site. It's definitely the best pool web site out there by far.