Let us know what you find.
theories are forming....
Since I know the method works.... and I know I have been testing and chlorinating like ive been "trained"
, the only answer to my problem is im not chlorinating enough.
Theory #1 - Im off on my calculation of gallons for this pool (figured at 20k) which was hard to estimate as it is "custom dug" so its not like there is a spec sheet on the gallons. That could certainly cause underchlorination. I calculated it several times with pool calc and kept getting same results.
Theory #2 - I have gotten a hold of some bad DPD powder / titrate, throwing off my results. I have another new jar of powder, and some new titrate I can try... however, when I tested with the current DPD powder / titrate, and gotten say 6 ppm, I would add the 90 oz of bleach that pool calc says it would take to get it to 9. When I would test again an hour or so after adding bleach, it would be at 9, right where I expected it to be. This leads me to believe that the DPD powder and titrate is fine (plus its new).
Also, the fact that when I add what the pool calc says to add, and when I retest, I get to where the goal is, blows theory #1 out of the pool, so to speak, as if im wrong on gallonage, then how come pool calc and bleach addition measurements add up to the goal?
Theory #3 - im screwing up my test results somehow. Maybe not every day, but as we all know, all it takes is one bad day, and one screwed up test result, to get a cloudy pool. Im gonna re-read the advanced instructions in Pool School for testing again, just to make sure I didnt lose something the last time I slept.
Theory #4 - CYA level is not where I think it is, despite the fact that I have tested it multiple times, scrutinized it under different lighting conditions, all with the same end result. Im running out of theories though, which is why im going to up my CYA # on the pool calc from 55-60 which in turn bumps my FC target range from 4-9 to 5-10 just to make sure. With the CYA test being totally dependant on the eyes to see the dot, its possible im a bit higher than what I think im at. I cant fathom a descrepancy of 5ppm causing this issue though, but who knows.
Theory #5 - I dont know... ive had it with theories.... time to go