1st Taylor Test kit test ..advice please?

[MostlyLurkingGal]

Hi, I am the newbie with water chemical "issues"...I seem to mess it up on a consistant basis.  
I did my first Taylor test tonight, and this is what (to the best of my ability) I read:
FC = 2.5
Cl = 2.5
Ph = 7.4
TA = 90
What does this say to you people who know what you're doing?
What should I do next? Ph seems a tad low. I have not been in the tub for over a week because when I shocked with dichlor, the chlorine went off the charts.. and I was afraid to go back in until I did this Taylor test.
I now know to use MPS to shock, but still not sure how much...
I seem to do fine between shockings..
Can I use the tub as it reads now without worry??
I have a Jetsetter...about 250 gallons
Thanks!

[tileman]

Your ph and alk are perfectly fine.
FC is good as well.
What's Cl?
I use Leisure Time's mps and it says 2 ounces for every 250 gallons.

Hop on in and enjoy your spa now.

[Webini]

I'll give you my routine for our Jetsetter:

- After every soak 1 teaspoon dichlor per person
- Adjust pH once a week if needed
- Shock once a week in the AM with 3 tablespoons MPS
- Stain and Scale defense once a week (we have iron in the water)

Seems to work for us.

[MostlyLurkingGal]

Thank you both....I will reread this post later.....I have some tubbing to do!!!!!!!!

[tileman]

I'll give you my routine for our Jetsetter:

- After every soak 1 tablespoon dichlor per person
- Adjust pH once a week if needed
- Shock once a week in the AM with 3 tablespoons MPS
- Stain and Scale defense once a week (we have iron in the water)

Seems to work for us.

Surely, you meant to write teaspoon instead of tablespoon when referring to your post soak dose of dichlor.

[Webini]

Whoops, you are absolutely correct.  I'll correct the post.  

[MostlyLurkingGal]

Hi Web...how do you adjust your PH?  I have tried using baking soda, which I read on this site somewhere, but not sure how much to use.  When I shocked time before last with MPS...my readings were off the chart (or actually off the strip) for days and days. Now that I have the Taylor kit, maybe I will get more accurate readings.
Thanks everyone for the help...maybe I can go a week or 2 without problems....
uh huh......

[tileman]

Hi Web...how do you adjust your PH?  I have tried using baking soda, which I read on this site somewhere, but not sure how much to use.  When I shocked time before last with MPS...my readings were off the chart (or actually off the strip) for days and days. Now that I have the Taylor kit, maybe I will get more accurate readings.
Thanks everyone for the help...maybe I can go a week or 2 without problems....
uh huh......

MLG, to lower ph use sodium bisulfate, commonly called spa down, ph down, and dry acid.
To raise ph use sodium carbonate(soda ash).

Just follow the directions for dosing that Taylor gave you.

If you have any more q's, I will be more than happy to help.

BTW, when using dry acid to lower ph don't turn jets on after dosing. Just let it dissolve on it's own. This is the only chemical you have to do this with.
Also, don't get me wrong baking soda will raise ph. It just has a much greater effect on raising alk. That's where soda ash comes in,  it only raises the ph.

[svspa]

MLG,

Your tub size and how much change you need to make will determine how much baking soda to use. You could start with a tablespoon and see what happens. A little experimentation may be necessary and you'll probably need to wait a day before re-testing.

I think when I make PH and ALK adjustment with BS it's normally about 2 tablespoons. My tub is 330 gallons.

Steve