New Kit or new reagents

[H2OLogged]

I'm still reading and trying to get a handle on this stuff. Question about test kits. I have a kit but the readings only go to 3.0 on the chlorine and 8.4? on the PH. Do the better kits show levels of chlorine up to 10 and 15? Do I need a whole new test kit or new reagents? I'm off to the store to get whatever I need. Please advise.

[aylad]

OTO kits usually show chlorine up to 3 or 5--to get higher than that, you have to dilute your pool water with distilled water 1:1, test and read your results, then multiply results by 2. It's just a ballpark, though, because you're losing accuracy when you dilute. The dpd-fas tests use powder and a liquid reagent to cause a color change--the one in Ben's kit (which most of us use, and will test for most anything you need) will test up to 50 ppm.

Janet

[H2OLogged]

Thanks for the quick reply. I just tested again and the results are as follows:
htp strips
FC=10/20
PH=7.2
TA=120
CYA=30/50

Using test kit with 1yr old reagents
CL=3.0+ dark yellow--not orange like yesterday
PH=8.2

What do I do? Pool is green.

[aylad]

Obviously you need to get some bleach (or chlorine in some form) into the pool to get it cleared up, but those numbers don't help. With a drop-based kit, test for Cl, ph, TA, and CYA. Post those numbers, and we should be able to give you some good advice.

Janet

[H2OLogged]

The pool is responding to the bleach and still need to add 6 more gallons according the the calculator. The numbers from a drop kit this morning are as follows:
Cl=18 (using 1/2 distilled h2o and multiply x 2)
PH=8.0
CYA=30-50 (from test strip)

I have pucks in a automatic chlorinator.

What next? Do I continue with Acid and push chlorine?
My pool is IG, 30,000 gallons, Vinyl, Well water.

[itstoohot]

What was the reading on the color comparator for chlorine before you multiplied? Most only go up to 5, which limits you to reading up to 10 if you do 1/2 pool water and 1/2 distilled water.

Also, if you are currently at 18 for the chlorine, you are at shock level for your CYA (if that is indeed accurate - questioning the test strip accuracy, not you). No need to add any more bleach at this time (because of the potential for damaging your vinyl liner).