Still learning the BBB

[usdnmed1]

Since our pool was installed at the first of July this year, I experimented with the pool store recommendations and expensive chemicals for the first couple weeks. When I discovered this site, I immediatly started the BBB. In the beginning I had many questions, but thanks to this great forum, I was able to answer my questions just by reading and the pool school. So far I have only had to bring up my CYA and add bleach each day. I just wanted to confirm a couple of things. I have been having to add 32 to 84 oz bleach each day depending on temp and weather conditions. Does this sound normal? I did read in pool school that 2-3 ppm would have to be added daily. Also I have had some issues with 2 kids getting swimmers ear. I think maybe in the beginning I did not maintain the chlorine levels as I should have, but have since realized that I have to monitor and add daily. Another problem, I cannot get the pool calculater to work on my home PC. It works fine on my PC at work, but at home the screen just stays blank. Any ideas on this?

FC = 2.5 / CC = 0 / TC = 2.5 / PH = 7.4 / TA = 100 / CYA = 35 / CH = 300
Water is clear

The CH is up thanks to the pool store telling me my calcium was low and recommending adding some. In which I bought and put in pool. Now it is almost to high for ABG vinyle pool. It pays to have a good test kit.

 

[Butterfly]

Welcome to the forum

I suggest an overnight FC loss test.

The CYA test is +/- 10, so you could be cutting it really close or maybe even allowing FC to drop too low.

If/when you pass the overnight test, I suggest that you run the FC 3 min to 6 target.

It pays to have a good test kit.

Absolutely agree!

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

You can try increasing your cya level to 50, see if that cuts down on FC loss to sun. Keeping the solar cover on while the pool isn't in use is helpful. When my pool is not in use I lose less than 1ppm, and can go a couple days without adding chlorine.

If you do a google search (bottom left corner) for swimmers ear, there have been a couple other threads recently about it and there are some tips to be found. You can get swimmers ear even if there is plenty of FC. More to do with the swimmer than the chlorine level...

 

[Water_man]

Also I have had some issues with 2 kids getting swimmers ear.

I can tell you what I've learned from my first-hand (or, shall we say “first-ear”) experience, what my ear specialist told me, and what's been said here.
Swimmers ear is caused by bacteria growing in the breeding ground of ear wax mixed with water. The first thing to do is to go to the ear specialist and let him/her remove access wax if necessary and also diagnose the infection, if it's present. In severe cases like mine, (high level of pain) cipro antibiotics is prescribed. Also, if the kids are candidates for reoccurring infection, a good practice is rinsing the ear after swimming with a mixture of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) and some vinegar. You can buy a rinsing liquid over the counter but then you’d be paying so much more for something you can make yourself from the same ingredients.
Also, as FPM said, swimmers ear is a swimmer's issue, not a pool issue. Sometimes it may indicate that the infected person's immune system is compromised. The kids' general doc should be involved too.

 

[anonapersona]

Frequent ear infections can also be linked to milk intolerance. This would be an inner ear infection as opposed to an outer ear infection which is related to swimming.

If there is a lot of congestion (which happens when one is lactose intolerant but still has milk products) and the child "snuffles" instead of blowing their nose, the mucus can get pushed into the small tube connected to the ear. Sometimes this can be detected and even cleared by tracing a line along the edge of the jawbone, down from the base of the ear toward the juglar vein in the neck. If you notice a small lump, or the child reports pain, you and gently massage that spot downward and toward the throat. Occasionally, the blockage can be cleared this way, if it is an inner ear infection and you find that blockage.

In kids I always suspect lactose problems when I see a child with dark circles under their eyes. Not always predictive, but sometimes, worth investigating. Interestingly, some people who are lactose intolerant REALLY drink a lot of milk and it is only when they stop for some time that the issue really surfaces. I did not know I was lactose intolerant until I had children and they reacted when I had milk products then nursed them. After I stopped for those months, then I was unable to go back to normal milk consumption. Milk, ice cream, cream cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, whipped cream.... all seriously restricted now, I just console myself that they are all such high calorie that I don't miss much.

I know, all this was TMI, unless those ear infections were actually inner ear infections not outer ear infections.

 

[usdnmed1]

Thanks for the info.

I brought my CYA level up closer to 50, and that has helped. My chlorine levels are holding better now and am using less. Also, we are having clouds and cooler temps here in North Alabama which is aiding chlorine loss as well. But water temp is lower too, so not as much swimming going on.

The kids are now using ear drops (alchol and vinigar solution). So far, I have not had any more complaints of ear pain. That was an interesting post on the lactose intolerance. I am going to look in to this. We do have some of that in our family tree.

Rolllllll Tide !!!!!!! and safe swimming.