New to BBB

[Watermom]

PH of 7.4 is perfect! Did you get a testkit that uses drops yet and if so, can you run a full set of complete testing numbers and post them here for us to take a look. How does the pool look today?

[rkelly]

Still can't see the bottom in the deep end. I did not get a new test kit yet, but will try to get by after work.

[aylad]

You're going to need a chlorine test that will give you results up to at least 20 ppm--look for a DPD-FAS chlorine test--uses a tablet or powder that goes into your water sample with drops you drop in and count. It's possible to do this with the smaller test block using a dilution method, but we'll be wildly guessing at accuracy, and since you're gonna need it later anyway, it's best to go ahead and get it now if you can. Knowing exact measurements will hel you get it cleared up much quicker.

Janet

[AnnaK]

Since you mentioned dilutions, might this be a good time to reiterate the shot glass method? CarlD or Poconos invented that, I think. It's bailed me out a couple of times when the test kit I had wasn't adequate.

[CarlD]

Dilution of OTO test kits is nothing new and I didn't invent it, nor do I think Poconos did.

But I came up with the Shot Glass Method as a catchy phrase and a simple and convenient way to EXACTLY measure distilled water and pool water in small, manageable amounts. Since a shot glass is glass, it's inert.

[rkelly]

OK....pool is clear......

FC - 1
TC - >3
PH - 7.8
TA - 80
CA - 20 (between 0 and 30)
Water looks pretty good right now

[Watermom]

I don't think your chlorine readings are right. FC + CC = TC. Always. If you had a TC reading greater than 3 and your FC was 1, then your CC reading would be over 2 (which would be a bad thing) and your pool would most likely be green, not clear. Retest the FC and TC again and then repost.

Also, by CA, are you referring to CYA (stabilizer level)?

[rkelly]

Yes, I was referring to CYA. I will check chlorine again. For some reason I dumped about 1/2 gal. of clorox in and then checked????? I will wait till tomorrow to check again.

Thanks.......

[rkelly]

How often do you shock with the BBB method. I usually did every Sunday night using shock. Do I need to shock the same way?

[Watermom]

Honestly, if you are diligent about keeping your water levels in check, you don't routinely have to shock the pool at all. Or, at least not very often. I seldom shock my pool because I spend the 5 minutes per day (at most) testing and adding bleach or Borax if necessary. Since I don't let the cl level in my pool get too low, I know there is nothing growing in there. Thus, I do not routinely need to shock. I might shock if we have had a lot of rain that dumped a lot debris in my pool (leaves, dirt, etc.) or if I have had a bunch of kids swimming.

But --- if you feel more comfortable routinely shocking the pool, go ahead. It isn't gonna hurt anything to do so.