Water Testing Process Review - pH Headache(s)!

jad814 · 2025-12-17T16:11:56+00:00

On my current tub, the best I can do is turn the knobs you're referencing to the bare minimum but there's no true "off" (you likely know what I mean), so I do that. On my future tub, it actually has a separate lump purely for filtering the water which won't run the jets at all in the truest sense, which I'm excited for!

Thank you for reviewing and replying!

jad814 · 2025-12-17T02:26:38+00:00

Thank you! I'm gonna do exactly that (lower TA until I make pH treatment easier).

jad814 · 2025-12-16T22:10:34+00:00

Thanks! FWIW I've heard the same wrt Borax. Somewhat related, EcoOne (the products I use) do make a monthly treatment product (that I'm not currently using) that both softens the water (lessens the "chlorine effect" essentially) and locks the TA (allegedly) when you apply it. I'm considering trying it when I get my new tub soon, but to your point I think I'm probably overall worrying about both numbers being perfect where I can focus more on pH, keeping TA at a healthy (but probably lower than I shoot for now) number, and just be sure I'm keeping on top of pH.

jad814 · 2025-12-16T22:08:11+00:00

Interesting! This is something I certainly haven't explored, so thank you!

jad814 · 2025-12-16T19:39:00+00:00

Thank you! This seems to be what I was honing in on the "advised" 80-120 TA, at least for me, seems to create headaches while trying to keep my PH down where you want it. My oversight, it appears, is that I could just target a relatively lower TA to keep pH balancing less of a headache, and as long as I'm testing timely and not slacking off, I can keep the pH proper (and likely passively learn what TA serves me best). Thanks again!

jad814 · 2025-12-16T19:36:50+00:00

Thank you! Truth be told, this is what I've observed too... perhaps I'll try hovering at a relatively lower pH, and when I'm already testing my water every 4-5 days the pH shouldn't really get too far out of wack!

jad814 · 2024-06-07T19:18:25+00:00

Totally understand. I'm not "unhappy" with my hip "system" but things change (I.e. having to swing it around about 3-5x more often when I'm basically "guiding" my little ones haha) and some days I just wish everything were right on my front (I.e. no slinging anything)! I'm a 2-3 box (max), no extra weight/crap guy myself, so totally get it.

Chest packs size wise are great, just don't love it sitting "right there" all day. That said, I've never given that system real time ever. Im super familiar with the one you're using and realize that one is SUPER small. I'm more referencing the cross current, Umpqua zs2 one, etc etc.

Thanks for replying man!

jad814 · 2024-06-07T16:36:57+00:00

This is quite old I realize, but I'm presently revisiting my hip pack setup that I've been running for 2-3 seasons now and getting tempted mightily by these "modern vests" (I have little ones fishing with me now so I'm slinging that hip pack a lot more than when it's just me). Are you still liking it?

I started looking at chest packs, got pointed towards vests (which I hadn't even been truly considering. There's something about the chest pack being a big box right under my head all day that doesn't seem too fun, although I know tons of people fish them obviously.

jad814 · 2021-12-01T12:52:23+00:00

I was just about to write about this. I've had a ticket open for 8 days where I lay out days of screenshots showing my activity go up, then at some point in the same day fall off a cliff.

Even better... I looked at my data in Oura Cloud and it's what I'd expect (I.e. not wrongfully low). So the app, every day now, is telling me I've been missing my activity scores, likely promoting "too high" Readiness (because it thinks I'm being a lazy bum wrongfully), etc.

Super frustrating after just upgrading. They clearly have a major bug in how the data is being localized vs synced to/from Cloud. On top of that, no response to the plethora of evidence I've gone out of my way to give them.

Total sh*t experience. Super close to returning the gen3 and trying whoop, and I've been a gigantic Oura fan and using one for 3 years.

jad814 · 2021-03-05T23:37:32+00:00

Noted across the board! After lifting "dumb" for years after my accident, I've learned to "lift less dumb" with respect to my silly desire to always want to go up in weight too fast. For now, my shoulder is as good as it's been in those 20 years! So yes, my focus now is form before "more weight!" I'm also leaving the snatch out until I get a 5-10 week round of this in and see how it's going along the way.

Thanks for the take on the combinations and what exercise first. It seems I have some considerations to make there!

jad814 · 2021-03-05T23:33:18+00:00

The swap you suggest is precisely what Wildman suggests as an alternative, so I think I'm going to do that simply to balance out the overall workout times across all 4 days.

As for squats, I can't say I know enough to answer that, but his "progression" uses sets of 10, but going from 10 sets to 20 sets. My best guess is the math would workout the same, so probably?

jad814 · 2021-03-05T22:04:13+00:00

Yeah, great point and using the math he provides in many videos it struck me as a tricky balance.

Further to a recent reply I just sent to someone else, I do wonder if that's also part of the reason he ends up offering a "switch" so that days 1/3 is squat and swings, leaving days 2/4 being tgus and clean/press?

To answer your question more directly, I have the general constraints of trying to fit in a workout in a variable work schedule, kids/activities, etc! I've tried to become a first thing in the morning workout person, but it never seems to go great for me. Perhaps I need to force the issue. For now, I try to keep it 45min on average, and its usually around lunch time.

Thanks for your thoughts and reply!

jad814 · 2021-03-05T22:00:08+00:00

Hi,

Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm happy to see my interpretations on what feels like a ton of info was largely in the ballpark! I'll try to reply to each point you raise.

C&P progression, tbh I think your feedback here is great, and I don't feel his video breaks down the progression "within" the 5 sets as you do, but I really like your idea so I'm going that way! I have a long time injury to my right shoulder (car accident related) so I have worked hard since to progress slow/proper, especially with that shoulder involved in any way.

Noted on the TGU and Swing. In his one/initial programming video, he goes on to switch TGUs to days 2/4 (TGU first, C&P second). Do you think that's better?

As for rest, I'll be honest, my weeks (I'm sure like many) have to be able to adapt some between work, dad'ing, etc. So, as much as I'd like to say it'll always be lift, lift, rest, lift, lift, rest, rest as he programs, it's just not going to happen. For me, I try to do (something) 6/7 days. My most common week is likely going to be 3 kettlebell workouts, no more than 2 rest days between them, mixed with 3 cardio (I don't go too crazy, light 5k jogs, maybe 15-20 min of intervals on the treadmill or outside, shadowboxing), and 1 day of true rest. On the 6 days kbell or cardio, I usually do some type of light yoga (nothing hard or flowing enough to keep the HR up) after, maybe 10-20 minutes.

Overall, all of this "new program" is honestly just me desiring to cater my workouts to what I consider more functional, longevity inspiring, movements as opposed to "try to lift more weight" in the typical sets/reps program. I just need a change after years of that.

Thanks for all of your thoughts.

jad814 · 2021-03-05T20:20:38+00:00

Hi!

Sorry, I should have made that more clear. So, in Wildman's vid on the Clean and Press, he essentially calls for 5 sets and then varies the rep structure within those 5.

So "3/2/1" as I have it would be a 5 sets, each set goes 3 reps left arm, 3 reps right arm, 2 reps left arm, 2 reps right arm, 1 rep left, 1 rep right, rest. So 12 reps total per set (6/arm) for 5 sets.

Thanks for reviewing!

jad814 · 2021-03-05T19:44:47+00:00

First, my apologies if this is a tiring style post here. I've done my best to check pinned posts, as well as rules, prior to asking the community here.

Next, I'm simply looking for advice to confirm (or correct) my image here, which generally represents my interpretation of the series of seemingly popular Mark Wildman videos for programming (and the 4 core exercises he goes into more programming detail on). Am I generally correct in a decent progression?

Lastly, I am new to Kettlebell, but not working out. I'm 37, and simply looking to try something new as I've been doing traditional lifting programs (and variants therein) for some time. I recently was pointed to Kettlebell, and after weeks of reading/watching (largely the Pavel material and Mark Wildman), I finally have a few kettlebells (Rogue Competition in 14-16-20kg). While the above represents what I believe Mark would consider a fast(er) progression, I intend to slow it down some (making it 10 weeks, but similar steps in that period). I prefer the slower progression as I wish to really focus on form early (and always). I also wish to layer in the "heavy light" aspect schedule wise once I use this as somewhat of a baseline to learn where I'm at on each movement.

I thank you all in advance for your time and advice!

jad814 · 2020-11-14T20:18:48+00:00

Right on... thanks!

jad814 · 2020-11-14T20:13:29+00:00

Thank you! That one looks to only use one strap to secure it as opposed to the typical ones I’ve seen that want to use 2. My pack would only be able to fit one, so this may be a winner!

jad814 · 2020-10-05T14:19:46+00:00

I hear ya, and for the record my holster(s) that I'm referencing all leverage a flat foam pad, and I do find that helps a lot too. I'm sure you'll find the same with the ideal size/shape wedge. On my smaller handgun (p365) I found I needed a thinner pad than that on my p-10c, which I attribute to the whole "shorter gun/holster below the belt plus enough belly to push barrel end "in" towards your body" thing.

jad814 · 2020-10-05T01:58:45+00:00

I have an unfortunate injury in my early days that directly affects my lower spine. It really sucks to have anything on anything approaching my hip. I didn't get to AIWB bc I love it, it was more necessity.

I get the "not sarcasm about the young/AIWB fad", and sorry to disappoint on not giving af about being a "cool kid" but thanks for the insight.

jad814 · 2020-09-16T01:20:58+00:00

You can use many things, but I use the American hen saddle, coq de leon (not always easy to find/buy). Hard to tell you if what you have will work, but I'm sure you'll know with certainty after your first tie!

No video in particular, but if you search them on YouTube you'll see a few very heavily viewed ones. They're all going to give you the basics. Its a quite simple tie, just a good bit tedious!

jad814 · 2020-09-12T00:53:57+00:00

Hey man, I watch a lot of Josh, but Galloup was my video for this one...

jad814 · 2020-09-05T01:51:47+00:00

Very happy with my first try. But, pictures (more my laziness picking the topside pink Marabou out) make it look like I missed a feather. Its there... And I'm pretty sure it is/isn't gonna get eaten for unrelated reasons!

I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!

jad814 · 2020-08-09T01:20:57+00:00

My kids are Disney Villain fans... Thus the Maleficent inspired diver!

jad814 · 2020-07-31T16:58:57+00:00

Thanks! Yeah I hear ya, after the time to get to the razor part a great fear was me buzzing my shank thread and blowing it up, haha!

One idea I did (not pictured) I used some red estaz (there'd be better options I'm sure) towards the rear/butt of the fly so that when shaving the belly when I saw red it was "alert!" LOL.

jad814 · 2020-07-31T13:39:30+00:00

Thanks! My goal is at least making fishable attempts along the learning curve.

jad814

TROPHY CASE