So, I've been reading here on TFP for probably over a year. I probably should've posted last year when I was having issues the first time....
I have a solid Taylor test kit (though I just had to reorder my CYA reagent), test strips for backup, and a local pool store with full time staff who at least know how to test.
My current readings, confirmed by the pool store's results, are:
FC: 6
TC: 6
CH: 280
CYA: 80-100 depending on who you ask
ALK: 80-90
pH: 7.2
Phos: 400
Now, my pool is about 25,000 gal and gets full sun all day. I also get a lot of vegetation in my pool from flowers and leaves to pine needles. Pool surface is "Pebble Tec aggregate. DE filter runs 4-6hrs per day. Water temp ~ 83F. Hayward Automatic Chlorinator using 3" tablets.
Recently, my chlorine levels dropped to around 2ppm and boom, the yellow algae appeared. Shocked the pool up into the teens, brushed daily. Also, and I know many of you don't feel it necessary, but my Phosphates were in the 2000+ range, so I treated the pool with PhosFree and got it down to 400. Vacuumed and backwashed. I don't feel like I need to get that number to zero.
My problem is maintaining my chlorine levels without ending up with too much stabilizer. Last summer my CYA numbers were nearly 200 and I needed to drain and fill half my pool to get them back under 100. With CYA that high I couldn't keep up the chlorine level to keep the algae at bay at all last summer.
I try to keep the chlorinator set around 3 because I have had issues with too much stabilizer in the past. Maybe I'm wrong on that approach? I have been shocking every other week with 2lbs of shock (powdered). I also use non-chlorine shock in the "off weeks".
Suggestions / directions?
I "think" I should be aiming for 7ppm FC based on my CYA levels. How would you recommend I get and stay there? Stick with the tabs and increase shock treatments? Dump the tabs and use something else? (I don't think I can convert to SWCG because of the natural stone pool surround)
Thanks,
-Tim
I have a solid Taylor test kit (though I just had to reorder my CYA reagent), test strips for backup, and a local pool store with full time staff who at least know how to test.
My current readings, confirmed by the pool store's results, are:
FC: 6
TC: 6
CH: 280
CYA: 80-100 depending on who you ask
ALK: 80-90
pH: 7.2
Phos: 400
Now, my pool is about 25,000 gal and gets full sun all day. I also get a lot of vegetation in my pool from flowers and leaves to pine needles. Pool surface is "Pebble Tec aggregate. DE filter runs 4-6hrs per day. Water temp ~ 83F. Hayward Automatic Chlorinator using 3" tablets.
Recently, my chlorine levels dropped to around 2ppm and boom, the yellow algae appeared. Shocked the pool up into the teens, brushed daily. Also, and I know many of you don't feel it necessary, but my Phosphates were in the 2000+ range, so I treated the pool with PhosFree and got it down to 400. Vacuumed and backwashed. I don't feel like I need to get that number to zero.
My problem is maintaining my chlorine levels without ending up with too much stabilizer. Last summer my CYA numbers were nearly 200 and I needed to drain and fill half my pool to get them back under 100. With CYA that high I couldn't keep up the chlorine level to keep the algae at bay at all last summer.
I try to keep the chlorinator set around 3 because I have had issues with too much stabilizer in the past. Maybe I'm wrong on that approach? I have been shocking every other week with 2lbs of shock (powdered). I also use non-chlorine shock in the "off weeks".
Suggestions / directions?
I "think" I should be aiming for 7ppm FC based on my CYA levels. How would you recommend I get and stay there? Stick with the tabs and increase shock treatments? Dump the tabs and use something else? (I don't think I can convert to SWCG because of the natural stone pool surround)
Thanks,
-Tim
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