FC and TC Dropping Consistently

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M

MAndrews1

Well-known member
May 3, 2016
85
Toledo, OH
Hello TFP...just tested my water. I keep getting pretty high CC numbers along with a bit of unbalanced pH and TA. I am in the process of raising the TA right now.

FC 3.5
CC 6.0
pH 8.0 might be a little higher. Test sample was a little purple/red
TA 80
CH 260
CYA 30

What steps should I take to get some better results? My water is clear as well.

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Re: High Combined Chlorine Numbers

Don't raise your TA. Not needed at the moment. pH needs to come down to about 7.2 in preparation for a SLAM, and a higher TA won't help. Since your water is clear and you have CYA, I would recommend lowering the ph first to 7.2 and begin a SLAM. Watch and maintain your FC to "12" and keep it there. Watch it carefully for the first few hours as it may try to drop on your quickly with that high CC reading. Maintaining an FC of 12 is extremely important at the moment. Stay close to the SLAM page (link below) and let us know if anything odd happens during your SLAM. Good luck!
 
Re: High Combined Chlorine Numbers

6 CC? :shock:

First question: Have you added any non-chlorine "shock" products ... green-to-clean, yellow-out, oxone, magic egg... anything at all that promises to clear your pool without chlorine? They can interfere with the CC test. If not, then you probably have the earliest rumblings of an algae battle. The solution for that we call a SLAM Process It's similar to a pool store shock, but it's not just a wild guess about how much chlorine to add, and it lasts long enough to actually kill all the algae so you're rid of it for good, not just a week or two.

Now... TA of 80 is just fine. Don't raise it. You'll end up on a ridiculous see-saw where this week you add baking soda (Alkalinity up) and then the pH rises so you add acid (pH down) to lower it but it lowers the TA so you add baking soda....and so on and so on.
 
Re: High Combined Chlorine Numbers

MAndrews1 said:
I used Power Plus Shock when I opened. 10 pounds. The CC number has come down over the last couple days. I was at 11.8 at one point.

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Click to expand...
Power Powder Plus From Leslies? That wouldn't do it.

You need to SLAM Process That's like the pool store shock, but not just a one-time mega-dose. It's done to a controlled set of parameters for a sustained period of time. If the water is still clear, a day or two babysitting the pool every couple hours ought to do it.
 
Re: High Combined Chlorine Numbers

Yes from Leslie's. I will give the slam process a look. I came across this site after I put the shock in. I see the SLAM referenced quite often. :)

It's finally raining now, so I might have to wait it out a bit.

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Re: High Combined Chlorine Numbers

Richard320 said:
Power Powder Plus From Leslies? That wouldn't do it.

You need to SLAM Process That's like the pool store shock, but not just a one-time mega-dose. It's done to a controlled set of parameters for a sustained period of time. If the water is still clear, a day or two babysitting the pool every couple hours ought to do it.
Click to expand...

I tested my pH again and it is coming down. Around 7.8 now v.s. 8+. I am curious....I do have very clear water in the pool but the CC reading is still there around 6.0. While I can't see any algae, can it still exist? I do have a stain that is all around the pool. I can't scrub it off, but when I try, I get a little cloudiness coming off the wall.
 
Re: High Combined Chlorine Numbers

MAndrews1 said:
I tested my pH again and it is coming down. Around 7.8 now v.s. 8+. I am curious....I do have very clear water in the pool but the CC reading is still there around 6.0. While I can't see any algae, can it still exist? I do have a stain that is all around the pool. I can't scrub it off, but when I try, I get a little cloudiness coming off the wall.
Click to expand...
CC doesn't have to be from algae. Anything organic that is in the process of being oxidized by the bleach can release CC. When's the last time you cleaned out the skimmer basket and the pump strainer and the filter? Same water, just not visible.

Also behind the lights and inside and beneath ladders and steps. Check out the pictures
Think I may have found my FC demand issue?
 
Re: High Combined Chlorine Numbers

Richard320 said:
CC doesn't have to be from algae. Anything organic that is in the process of being oxidized by the bleach can release CC. When's the last time you cleaned out the skimmer basket and the pump strainer and the filter? Same water, just not visible.

Also behind the lights and inside and beneath ladders and steps. Check out the pictures
Think I may have found my FC demand issue?
Click to expand...
Just cleaned it out yesterday along with a backwash.

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Re: High Combined Chlorine Numbers

Richard320 said:
Also behind the lights and inside and beneath ladders and steps. Check out the pictures
Think I may have found my FC demand issue?
Click to expand...

I will be checking this. I have never removed the light in the time we've had the pool. Unfortunately I'll have to wait until tomorrow. As far as bleach goes ... any recommendations on brand, strenght, etc.?

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Re: High Combined Chlorine Numbers

MAndrews1 said:
I will be checking this. I have never removed the light in the time we've had the pool. Unfortunately I'll have to wait until tomorrow. As far as bleach goes ... any recommendations on brand, strenght, etc.?

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Click to expand...

Walmart has near about the best price in my area for 10% @$2.50/gal
Don't buy anything from the laundry aisle, go to where the pool products/outdoor area is.
 
Hello. I've tested my chlorine levels the last 3 days in a row and both numbers have been dropping. I have the chlorinator loaded with 3" pucks. I hope it's working correctly. Is this a case of the FC consuming CC, therefore lowering the FC (use) and CC (consumption) or could my chlorinator be broken? It's brand new.

4 days of numbers are below. PH has been between 7.2 and 7.8

FC Saturday to Tuesday: 3.5, 2.0, 2.0, 1.0
CC Sunday to Tuesday: 6.0, 6.0, 3.0, 2.0

Thanks

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Your post indicates you do not have a good grasp of the FC/CYHA relationship. read "The ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry" up in Pool School and ask lot's of questions. We'll all help get you on the right track.

What are you using for a test kit?
 
As your 3" chlorinating pucks dissolve (slowly) they with emit some FC and gradually raise CYA, while at the same time lowering pH a little
They really don't dissolve at a significant rate to chlorinate your pool

With a CC reading of 3 - something is consuming the FC faster than the pucks can dissolve.
You need to pick up some bleach, right now Walmart has 10% bleach in their pool/outdoor section for $2.50/gal
 
Your CYA is too low and your CC are way too high.

The purpose of the CYA is protect the FC from being depleted by UV from the sun.
We recommend a minimum of 30.

also, CC is not actually consumption.
CC is combined chloramines which is the by-product of FC that is destroyed fighting organics
in the pool. Your CC should never be above .5

FC is Free Chlorine. Its what's available to sanitize the pool.
TC is Total Chlorine. Its the sum of FC+CC

If your CC is 3. Then there is something in the water which is consuming the FC. Algae outbreak are invisible until its too late, but if you test often as we recommend in Pool School, you can catch it before it gets out of control and resolve it quickly and easily.

If your test of CC is accurate, you are a candidate to SLAM your pool.
 

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