Help Deciphering My Taylor Test Results

[polyvue]

With TA - I added 3 more drops - no change. I'll add more next time (too dark outside now).

I responded to your concerns about CH and TA end-point colors in the following thread

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...?t=9765&page=2

Magenta may indeed be the appropriate end-point for the TA test.

[labdi01]

Thank you all so much for the fabulous, detailed information.

Anna - I did the CYA test again this am. I filled the bottle with water and solution, shook it for 30 secs and set it aside. Then, unfortunately, I was pulled away and the solution sat for 13 minutes. ugh. I did the test anyway - and now CYA reads 30. Think that's reliable after 13 mins?

On the FC/CC front, the Pool Calc you lead me to (thank you so much - that thing is COOL) suggested I add another # of cal hypo last night (so I did) - fell asleep before I could test levels after that application. This am, FC was 19.5 (vs 15.5 prior to cal hypo last night) and CC is 3.5 (vs 4.5 last night). Hopefully, that's a sign toward progress, but I know how these numbers can fluctuate. Thankfully, today is going to be somewhat cloudy, so I'll check again around Noon and then again at dinner, then just before bed.

[AnnaK]

Dianna wrote:
About the CYA test, the more water you pour into the comparison vial, the lower your CYA is. So, at 40 I saw no dot - at 50 I could make it out if my life depended on it.


Yes, of course! You're right. I screwed up. Can I please use the excuse of a pulled wisdom tooth and Darvocet to explain my confusion and error?


I did the test anyway - and now CYA reads 30. Think that's reliable after 13 mins?


IMO, yes. If I understand the chemistry of the CYA test correctly the suspension is not going to go clear in time. Just make sure you shake it before pouring it into the test tube.


With TA - I added 3 more drops - no change. I'll add more next time (too dark outside now).


Once there is no change, you're done. Adding more drops won't produce a change. Polyvue's reference to magenta is good. I see the endpoint as red but in practical terms it doesn't matter. The endpoint is when you cannot produce any further color changes with the addition of more reagent.

Keep testing and keep adding enough chlorine to maintain the shock level; eventually your CCs will disappear.

That batting filter is very creative!

[labdi01]

Wisdom teeth - ick! You can blame anything and everything on that! I'm so sorry you have to endure that experience. Me - I have no excuse! Just a dim-lit dim-wit. At least all this pool stuff is making me feel that way!

Thank you for bearing with my ignorance. I really appreciate it. As you know, pool stores are a crap-shoot.

Think testing 3-4x a day is OK - should I test more on a sunny day (today is overcast)?

Thank you again for your help - it is very much appreciated!

[labdi01]

Update: Tested FC and CC again (4 hours after initial test this am). Good news. FC up to 22 and CC down to (barely) 1.5 - pH holding strong at 7.2 - surprisingly with all that FC.

Questions: Let's say hypothetically, my CC gets down to 0 today, what do I do next? Just let the CL levels come down on their own? Should I do a maintenance dose of polyquat 60 and if so, when (now, or when CL is down)? And should I do that weekly? Once all numbers are in check, how often should I be testing/balancing my pool in 'maintenance mode'? How do I know I need to shock (I know after considerable rains)? Whenever CC is above .5?

[Watermom]

Once you go with losing no more than 1ppm of chlorine overnight and have no CC, I think I would maintain the high cl level for one additional day for insurance. Then, if all is still good, let it drift down.

It won't hurt to do a maintenance dose of polyquat once you are past this, but remember it will make your cl plummet. That is ok, but just be aware and be ready to add some bleach.

Once you are in maintenance mode, you need to test at least once a day. You shock when you have any CC above 0.5 and maybe after a heavy rain that may put a lot of organic debris in your pool or after an exceptionally heavy swimmer load.

[labdi01]

Thanks Watermom!

I just tested FC/CC again. My FC went down to 16 - but my CC is 0. I'll add more CL and get it back up to 20.

My CYA was still right around 30, so I put my CYA sock back in (there's maybe a 1/2 pound left in it). Was that wise? Is 50 the goal I'm reaching for with CYA?

(can kids swim while we're doing this?)