Chlorine loss & pH level

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Re: Chlorine loss & pH level

Yikes! So sounds like I need to add a LOT more stabilizer!! But do I need 24 or 42 oz (via measuring cup)??

Sorry on the bleach %, it’s 8.25

Certainly not saying algae isn’t possible with my pool, just less likely (as this is what I’ve been told by many people, on this forum and elsewhere).
 
all I'm saying is that my understanding of algae and the type of pool I have, etc. I have always been told that's unlikely.
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drop that idea and drop whoever told you that. Algae will be your biggest pool water nemesis, regardless of pool type.

Now, this is a little bit applicable to you, DOMO, but it is applicable to A LOT of newbies.....THE TEST RESULTS FOR CYA ARE NOT NEARLY AS IMPORTANT AS CALCULATING THE CORRECT DOSAGE USING POOL MATH.

I apologize for shouting but the variances of testing for CYA causes everyone a lot of heartache and there is no need......no need whatsoever.

1. If your CYA is zero and you want to get to 30 ppm, use PoolMath and calculate the dosage and then apply that amount to your pool. From that point forward it is perfectly OK to assume your 30 CYA is in your pool and effective.

2. If your CYA is already 40 but you wish it to be 50, simply calculate that dosage and apply it to your pool and assume you have raised it to 50. It always works. That's what PoolMath is for to take out the guesswork.

3. DOMO, in your case of a 10,000 gallon pool, you need to add 17 oz (weight) of granular stabilizer to increase your CYA by 10 ppm. So, regardless of when it shows on the test, if you put it in your pool it will be in your pool and it will be effective.

Sorry to get on my high horse and it's important that we all understand this is not aimed exclusively at DOMO, it is a forum wide issue and we need to spend more time using PoolMath and less time worrying about CYA test results.......that's why JasonLion created PoolMath......so you can enjoy your crystal clear water and go swimming!
 
Re: Chlorine loss & pH level

What about the fact that DOMO can't get a reading showing the increasing levels of CYA? Does he/she trust the first reading taken showing it was low?

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DOMO said:
I was broadcast scattering the stabilizer into the water (per the bottle instructions). Hadn’t heard of the sock method until it was mentioned here after I had done the first 2 doses.
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New to this game myself, but that has me worried. You throw it in, it sinks to the bottom and does nothing. Take reading....low, toss more. Around and around you go. Finally it dissolves and BOOM, you have a high reading to fight with the rest of the season.
 
Re: Chlorine loss & pH level

#40Fan said:
What about the fact that DOMO can't get a reading showing the increasing levels of CYA? Does he/she trust the first reading taken showing it was low?

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New to this game myself, but that has me worried. You throw it in, it sinks to the bottom and does nothing. Take reading....low, toss more. Around and around you go. Finally it dissolves and BOOM, you have a high reading to fight with the rest of the season.
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That is what happens.

Sock in front of return jet or in skimmer. Works faster and breaks it down better.
 
Re: Chlorine loss & pH level

#40Fan said:
What about the fact that DOMO can't get a reading showing the increasing levels of CYA? Does he/she trust the first reading taken showing it was low?

- - - Updated - - -



New to this game myself, but that has me worried. You throw it in, it sinks to the bottom and does nothing. Take reading....low, toss more. Around and around you go. Finally it dissolves and BOOM, you have a high reading to fight with the rest of the season.
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You have to start somewhere....even if you are not sure you have a valid starting point..

So, you take a "perhaps not so sure" reading of 20 ppm and then you CALCULATE A DOSE OF 10 PPM. ASSUME your CYA is 30 ppm from the minute you apply the dose. Then in 24-48 hours do a CYA test. If the result is 20 ppm, then you only had 10 ppm in the pool initially.....if the result is 30 ppm, then your first test of 20 ppm is validated.

BTW, don't throw it in and let it sink to the bottom.....that is incorrect.
 
Re: Chlorine loss & pH level

DOMO, I don't want to sound mean or anything, but it seems you have not read Pool School or are not using the Pool Math page.

It is easy to follow and will take all the guess work out. Pool math tells you what to put in the pool. And you are done. Wait 24 hours and test. Then fill in the test results and it will tell you what to add to get to the target.
 
Hello all. duraleigh, i don't mind you shouting, as I'm sure there are a lot of people who have not read Pool School and don't use Pool Math correctly, however, i'm not sure why you think I have not read Pool School, but you are incorrect. I HAVE read Pool School many times and I use Pool Math EVERY SINGLE DAY to test and balance my water. That said, there are things in Pool School and Pool Math that are not 100% clear and subject to interpretation. For example, frequency of testing and treating when dealing with issues, and please do not get me started with the subjectivity and lack of precision on the CYA test, which in this case, is a key driver to what #s I need as a key reference point to hit Min, Target, SLAM, etc. If these things were so black and white, there would be much less need for a forum. And then you get people saying 'don't trust the CYA # from the PS', which clouds the issue further.

Not sure where the instructions are for the 'sock method' on adding stabilizer, but my apologies if I missed that somewhere on the site for adding CYA. However, that method flies in the face of the description of the manufacturer of the product. Again, sorry I if missed that instruction somewhere on TFP or if I should have somehow 'just known' to do that approach.

And #40 fan is completely correct, I have received conflicting guidance on when to test and treat (and not just with this issue). Clearly, it's not as formulaic as everyone thinks, and the uncertainty and variances of opinions, while greatly appreciated, leads to confusion. In this thread alone, I have been told to re-test CYA same day after treating, 24 hrs later, and 2-3 days later.

I am a big supporter of this forum and have spread the word to many people re: Pool Math, BBB, and TFP, so I greatly appreciate the help and responses and don't want the above to come across as unappreciative, but there are areas for improvement in some of the guidance and clarity and approach, which is what brings people to a forum for discussion. Thanks.
 

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FYI

Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

"Solid/granular cyanuric acid (CYA) should be placed in a sock and the sock put in the skimmer basket or suspended in front of a pool return. After adding CYA you should leave the pump running for 24 hours and not backwash/clean the filter for a week. Squeezing the sock periodically will help it to dissolve faster. Test and dose chemicals in your pool assuming the amount of CYA added is in the pool according to Poolmath. CYA can be tested the day after it is fully dissolved from the sock."
 
Thanks. As I said, I must’ve missed that somewhere but it’s not a note on PoolMath or referenced in the CYA chart page, so perhaps links from there so that others don’t miss this helpful info? I am doing the sock method now and will test in 24 hrs.
 
Not to beat you up on the topic , but it's in Pool School at least twice...

https://www.troublefreepool.com/content/123-abc-of-pool-water-chemistry


"You increase CYA by adding cyanuric acid, often sold as stabilizer or conditioner. CYA is available as a solid and as a liquid. The liquid costs a lot more, and generally isn't worth the extra expense. Solid stabilizer is best added by placing it in a sock in the skimmer basket. The pump should be run for 24 hours after adding solid stabilizer and you should avoid backwashing/cleaning the filter for a week. Test and dose chemicals in your pool assuming the amount of CYA added is in the pool according to Poolmath. CYA can be tested the day after it is fully dissolved from the sock."

Although, the whole "sock in the skimmer basket thing" seems to be quite debatable. LOL It seems to just be a very bad idea to add any kind of dry chemical into your pool water without dissolving it in water first. Even liquids that I add to my water I pour in very, very slowly directly in front of my return where it is immediately diluted a great deal.

But the whole process is about learning to treat our pools with great care so I see it as a challenge more than a JOB.
 
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DOMO said:
Thanks. As I said, I must’ve missed that somewhere but it’s not a note on PoolMath or referenced in the CYA chart page, so perhaps links from there so that others don’t miss this helpful info? I am doing the sock method now and will test in 24 hrs.
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How much have you added?
 
Hi. Thanks for checking in (had out of town guests for the past several days so haven’t been able to respond). There has been some stabilization, FC typically test out at about 4 ppm every morning (occasionally lower depending on usage and weather), and my CYA test is between 40-50 (have not had a chance to see if PS test is similar). So I’m now in the 30-55 oz of bleach daily range, which is better than where I was, but still seems like a lot.
 
That amount of 10% LC each day is certainly not excessive. Depends somewhat on where in the world you are located climatically.

Could you add a Location?
 
Hi. Thanks for the reply. If I’m losing 1/3 ppm daily, isn’t that high? If my target is 6 and I’m at 4 or less each morning, isn’t that more than 10%, or am I misunderstanding? I’m located in Rowley, MA
 
Normal FC loss per day is 2-4 ppm. You are in the normal range.

Go to Settings (upper right of this page) and then Edit Profile to add your location so we can see it with your member name.
 

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