+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: How are my numbers?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    .
    Posts
    28

    Question How are my numbers?

    Hello,

    I have an AG pool with deep end, 13,500 gallons, use bleach for sanitizer, borax and baking soda when necessary (none this year so far though).

    Here are my numbers, and I just wanted to ask you experts if I need to raise my TA a bit or just leave it alone. Also...is my CYA in a good range if I like keeping the free chlorine level at around 3?

    Water is crystal clear and about 73 degrees right now.

    pH 7.5
    TA 80
    Fr Ch 4
    Cmb Ch 0
    CYA 32

    Also...I am using test kit PS233. All the chemicals seem to be working fine, but I do notice that the R-0870 is a medium grey color. On my kit it says to replace it when it becomes this color. But I thought that is the color it was when I purchased it. What color should it be? Are there any other of the chemicals that need to be replaced periodically? I am on my third season with this kit. I'm not looking to spend more money, but do want things to work properly. If some things need to be replaced periodically, I would love to know which ones. I am very careful to keep everything dry. I store it indoors in a closet packed in the ziploc bag it came in.

    Thanks,

    Sandy Dittmer

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    .
    Posts
    28

    Red face Re: How are my numbers?

    Forgot to subscribe...

  3. #3
    aylad's Avatar
    aylad is offline SuperMod Emeritus Burfle Ringer aylad 4 stars aylad 4 stars aylad 4 stars aylad 4 stars aylad 4 stars aylad 4 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Northwest Lousiana
    Posts
    4,757

    Default Re: How are my numbers?

    Hi Sandy, and welcome back!

    I would leave your TA alone unless you having problems keeping your pH steady.....80 is just fine. At your CYA level of roughly 30, you're kind of on the edge of the envelope if you keep your FC at 3--I'd push it up a little higher to maybe 4 or 5 just to make sure you don't have problems. An alternative to that would be to maintain it at 3, but shock it on a regular basis.

    As far as your DPD powder goes, it will change colors...it should have been white when you bought it, and the directions say that you should replace it when it's medium gray, but I have used the powder until it's dark gray (as long as it's not clumping) and it's been fine. If you're storing your kit in the ziploc bag away from heat, light, and humidity, then you can probably go 2-3 years with the reagents with no problem.

    Janet

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
    Posts
    15

    Default Re: How are my numbers?

    I think you are fine. If you use bleach, it will try to push your alkalinity up over time, so I wouldnt artificially increase the alkalinity with baking soda. Let it stay where its at.

    As for the DPD powder, it does turn gray over time. Its fine. As long as it doesnt have any chunks in it, you should be all right.

    You can buy DPD powder from taylor chemicals on line. It only costs a few bucks. www.taylortechnologies.com

  5. #5
    Poconos is offline SuperMod Emeritus Whizbang Spinner Poconos 4 stars Poconos 4 stars Poconos 4 stars Poconos 4 stars Poconos 4 stars Poconos 4 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Honesdale PA
    Posts
    1,812

    Default Re: How are my numbers?

    On the DPD powder issue, check this thread:
    http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=4659

    Al

  6. #6
    CarlD's Avatar
    CarlD is offline SuperMod Emeritus Vortex Adjuster CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    North Central NJ
    Posts
    6,607

    Default Re: How are my numbers?

    Quote Originally Posted by chemicalbalance View Post
    I think you are fine. If you use bleach, it will try to push your alkalinity up over time, so I wouldnt artificially increase the alkalinity with baking soda. Let it stay where its at.
    You're kidding, right? Where did you EVER come up with this? There is nothing in Bleach that is related to Total Alkalinity. Bleach is basically Sodium Hypochlorite in a saline (Sodium Chloride) solution. It doesn't have the requisite Carbon atoms to affect Total Alkalinity.

    Perhaps you have it confused with one of the other B's of B-B-B--Baking Soda, which WILL push T/A up.

    You wouldn't happen to work for a pool store, would you?
    Carl

  7. #7
    duraleigh Guest

    Default Re: How are my numbers?

    Carld,

    You are, of course, technically correct but I see no reason for the implied derision in your reply.

    Checking chemicalbalance's other posts, he/she certainly seems to be genuinely interested in helping others and appears to have no agenda....... other than being perhaps a little new to using BBB.

  8. #8
    KurtV is offline Registered+ Widget Weaver KurtV 0
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Mandeville, LA, USA.
    Posts
    418

    Default Re: How are my numbers?

    Quote Originally Posted by CarlD View Post
    You're kidding, right? Where did you EVER come up with this? There is nothing in Bleach that is related to Total Alkalinity. Bleach is basically Sodium Hypochlorite in a saline (Sodium Chloride) solution. It doesn't have the requisite Carbon atoms to affect Total Alkalinity.

    Perhaps you have it confused with one of the other B's of B-B-B--Baking Soda, which WILL push T/A up.

    You wouldn't happen to work for a pool store, would you?
    My guess is that chemical balance was thinking of pH. It's a common belief that bleach will raise pH and I think it actually will to a very small extent. Come to think of it, to the degree that it does raise pH, I think it would also raise TA a bit.

  9. #9
    CarlD's Avatar
    CarlD is offline SuperMod Emeritus Vortex Adjuster CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars CarlD 4 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    North Central NJ
    Posts
    6,607

    Default Re: How are my numbers?

    Quote Originally Posted by KurtV View Post
    My guess is that chemical balance was thinking of pH. It's a common belief that bleach will raise pH and I think it actually will to a very small extent. Come to think of it, to the degree that it does raise pH, I think it would also raise TA a bit.
    Actually, not. Bleach IS alkaline, but the acidic reaction of chlorine in the water (ask Chem_Geek if you need an explanation) negates it almost perfectly. So bleach neither raises nor lowers your pH.

    In that line, Di-Chlor is almost perfectly neutral in pH, but because of the chlorine acidic reaction, it lowers pH. Chlorine by gasification also makes the water VERY acidic.
    Carl

  10. #10
    KurtV is offline Registered+ Widget Weaver KurtV 0
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Mandeville, LA, USA.
    Posts
    418

    Default Re: How are my numbers?

    Quote Originally Posted by CarlD View Post
    Actually, not. Bleach IS alkaline, but the acidic reaction of chlorine in the water (ask Chem_Geek if you need an explanation) negates it almost perfectly. So bleach neither raises nor lowers your pH...
    I'm perfectly well aware of Richard's explanations of these processes. That's why I said that bleach will cause pH to rise "to a very small extent". After rereading Richard's explanation (see posts 9, 12, and 14 in particular), I'm still pretty sure that particular statement is accurate. The point of my post, however, was not to argue a fine point about pH and TA. I was simply trying to point out, in a non-confrontational way, what might have been the basis for chemicalbalance's statements.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Help me with My Numbers?
    By mkfmedic in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-07-2007, 01:28 AM
  2. Here's my numbers
    By nicoleh in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-31-2006, 11:32 AM
  3. My numbers...HELP
    By Dafreak in forum Using Chlorine and Chlorinating Chemicals
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 05-26-2006, 04:56 PM
  4. WOW my numbers are off
    By Bowlin in forum Dealing with Alkalinity and Calcium
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-25-2006, 09:19 PM
  5. Here are my numbers...?
    By crazimom in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-17-2006, 11:28 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts