carib swim Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Hi, Been reading the forum a bit more now. The following question rose to my mind. Wouldn't testing these 4 parameters suffice (for my pool). My pool being plastic above ground, outdoors and no splashing, pH elevating fountains or such. CYA: test CYA to reach optimum level. pH: test the pH and correct pH with hydrochloric acid or sodium bicarbonate when necessary. FC: test FC and correct with bleach. TA: test and correct with sodium bicarbonate. The amounts of HCl, NaCO3, trichlor and bleach needed will be calculated with pool calculator. 'Correct' me if i'm wrong, Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterbear Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Hi, Been reading the forum a bit more now. The following question rose to my mind. Wouldn't testing these 4 parameters suffice (for my pool). My pool being plastic above ground, outdoors and no splashing, pH elevating fountains or such. CYA: test CYA to reach optimum level. pH: test the pH and correct pH with hydrochloric acid or sodium bicarbonate when necessary. It would be better to raise pH with borax than baking soda. If you are using prmarily bleach then you will probalby have very little need to raise pH. If you are using trichlor then you will need to raise both pH and TA on a regular basis. FC: test FC and correct with bleach. TA: test and correct with sodium bicarbonate. The amounts of HCl, NaCO3, trichlor and bleach needed will be calculated with pool calculator. 'Correct' me if i'm wrong, Tim While it is true that you do not need to worry about low calcium hardness with a vinyl pool you still need to know the calcium hardness of your water. If it is low it's not a problem but if it is high you could have problem when you try and raise TA, use calcium hypochlorite, or have a pH spike so you should still monitor the calcium levels even if you do not need to add calcium if iit is low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carib swim Posted May 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Thank you Waterbear, Yes i forgot to mention that my pool is filled with tap water. The tap water here is made by distilling sea water. While they do add some calcium to enhance taste, our tap water is very soft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carib swim Posted May 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 If only i could find a custom test kit with only these 4 tests and save some $$$. Not being a cheapskate, prices where i live are extremely high! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterbear Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 The K-2006 is going to be the most inexpensive way to get an FAS-DPD chlorine test, pH test with acid and base demand and built in chlorine neutralizer, total alkalinity test with blended indicator (so the endpoint color change is easy to see) and CYA test. Consider the calcium hardness test a freebie since this test kit will make your testing very easy. You might want to check out Taylor's videos of how the tests are done. Click on the pool/sap link in the upper left corner and then scroll down and select the videos you want to view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carib swim Posted May 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Okay, okay. I will follow your advice and buy the K-2006. Crystal clear sparkling shiny pool here i come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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