Clear Water no FC - First Post Ever

[jenniferm1209]

ClearCare Expert (computerized water analysis system) 06/12/2016 1430
Free Available Chlorine 0
Total Chlorine 0.45
Combined Chlorine 0.45
pH Level 7.4
Total Alkalinity (Input) 100
Total Alkalinity (adjusted) 85
Calcium Hardness 148
Cyanuric Acid 46
Copper 0
Iron 0.1


My pool looks great but whats up with the No chlorine?? My pool store guy said I have no idea why there is no chlorine registering.

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!!

First, you have to realize that we do not trust pool store testing ... it has repeatedly be proven to be inaccurate and not repeatable.

If you want to take control and understand your pool, you need to invest in one of the Recommended Test Kits and learn about the chemistry on the forum.

Have you discovered Pool School yet? Start with these:
ABCs of Water Chemistry
Recommended Pool Chemicals
How to Chlorinate Your Pool

 

[jenniferm1209]

I read all of that - I had test strips and a dropper test kit that only had red/yellow. My Taylor k-2006 is on the way will arrive 6/20-6/24 so I can do it myself. But in the meantime - this is what I have to work with.

 

[jblizzle]

The TF-100 from tftestkits.net would have been a better value and arrived much quicker. But, the K-2006 will work.

So just keep adding bleach until you get a FC reading on your yellow OTO test until your real kit arrives. Throw the strips away.

 

[jenniferm1209]

Thanks

 

[jenniferm1209]

Ok 2 days of testing with k2006

Fc 0.5
Cc 1.5
Ph 7.4
Ta 100
Ch 200
Cya 45

Added 2 gallons 10% chlorine
3 lbs cya in a sock in the skimmer

Fc 0.5
Cc 1
Ph 7.2
Ta 95
Ch 190
Cya 50

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Mr Bruce]

Once the CYA is dissolved, you really need to get the FC up. Does this chart make sense to you?Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart

I see you have a SWG and are going from 50 to 70 or 80. You need to get the FC up now

 

[jenniferm1209]

I know! I keep adding 2 bottles at a time. By the next day it's gone?! I've had the swg on super chlorinate for days at a time. It does nothing! I don't get it? !

 

[FattyLumpkin]

What's your salt level? And how long are you running your pump?

 

[jenniferm1209]

Salt is about 3200 I run the pump for about 14 hours a day.

 

[FattyLumpkin]

Only a year old, so probably unlikely, but is it possibly a bad or dirty cell...?

 

[jenniferm1209]

I checked it, no scaling, no debris
I called hayward and went through some diagnostics on the phone and they said it appears to be functioning correctly.

 

[Griswald]

There are 2 major things that make chlorine go away. The first is heavy sunlight, you have that taken care of with the CYA number you have (that's a good thing). The second is organic matter, chlorine burns it up and runs itself out doing that.

So, you have eliminated sunlight, therefor, the only other issue is something organic in your water. Leaves, bird poo, pollen, grass clippings, too many kids that can't be bothered to get out to use a toilet or...and this is a biggie...algae.

You may not see the algae and your SWG is producing just enough to keep it from getting out of control, but it will eventually take over.

 

[jenniferm1209]

Thanks for that info. I know all of that. But I've been running the swg and adding 2 gallons a day on crystal clear water! Only 2 of us adults here. So no pee very few leaves and I vacuum as needed. There's nothing discolored or slimy anywhere. I just wanna get over this hump!
Its been about 2 weeks and I'm starting to go crazy thinking about it! It's consuming me ?

 

[Chasmengr]

Could your bleach be expired?

 

[Mr Bruce]

2 thoughts. Add enough bleach to get to 10 FC. Test in 10-15 minutes, see what you get.

If it's still low, do the yellow side of the plastic block test.

 

[jenniferm1209]

Ok. Just added 384oz of 10%

 

[jenniferm1209]

Just tested with the yellow drops. It's yellow! Guess I'll just check every hour or so to see how it goes. (Until the Cavs game starts of course)

 

[kschmidt1]

Go cavs!!!

 

[jenniferm1209]

Woohoo! !!! Go Cavs! And my test is still yellow!