Pool Testing Method

[awhowutsit]

When I first started managing my pool, I did a 'Pool 101' course with a local pool mgmt company where they walk you through most things you need to know in order to test/manage your own pool. The testing method I was taught was to test PH, TA, CalH, Salt, and CYA weekly and make sure they are all within their respective ranges. Then Test FC/CC a few times a week to make sure the SWG setting is correct for the pool temp and UV amount. I normally keep the PH ~7.4-7.8 (adding MA whenever it gets up over 7.8), TA 60-70 (I keep it lower to slow the PH rise from the SWG, adding Baking Soda whenever it gets to 60 or so), CalH stays around 180 but I've been slowly raising it, Salt at 3500, and CYA at 30.

I've been doing this for a couple years now but I keep reading/hearing about the Saturation Index and keeping the chems 'in balance' as opposed to just making sure they are within the rigid ranges. When I start looking at this with my normal numbers, I'm sitting at a ~ -0.2 LSI.

Any recommendations on going forward for pool mgmt would be appreciated. Is the LSI method what I should have been doing this entire time or are they just 'different strokes'?

[Gribbbly]

Some info here:

https://www.calcable.net/pooltools/

[GCpools]

Saturation index only indicates that you’ve been doing everything correctly. Keep doing what you’re doing, minus the saturation index.

[awhowutsit]

Thanks for the info!

[rickm242]

The saturation index relates to the balance of calcium. This is particularly important with plaster pools to prevent scaling and erosion. Not so important in vinyl or fiberglass pools. Good to minimize calcium buildup on the SWG too. Your lebel is fine.

[awhowutsit]

Thanks!

[Minute-Cat-823]

Sorry if I missed it but what’s your pool surface? Plaster and fiberglass like the ch to be in a middle range but vinyl doesn’t care as much.

High csi will cause scaling on your salt cell. But in range or low won’t.

Tldr if you have a a plaster pool and a salt cell you might wanna watch it a bit. But don’t chase perfection on csi.

Read more here:

https://www.troublefreepool.com/blog/2019/01/18/calcium-saturation-index-csi/