CC level rising...newbie to BBB method

[BeckyB]

Ok, a little backstory first...new house came with pool and last year I had help from the previous owner teaching me about pool and went route of pool store for chemicals, water testing,etcetera (because I didn't know any better). It took an extremely long time last year to get pool clear and ready.

This year...I am going it alone after discovering BBB method. I bought my Taylor K-2006 test kit. First night I shocked with 4 lbs cal-hypo and 2 gallons bleach (8.25%) the next morning was clearer so I tested and here were my levels:

FC-1.5
CC-1
ph-7
TA-75
CY-30

So I went to Pool Calculator and generated what I needed to add, more shock and bleach, stabilizer, Borax, BS and also put some Yellow Out in and that night pool much clearer and dead algae on bottom. So this morning I tested and here are my levels:

FC-3
CC-4.5
ph-7.2
TA-110
CY-55

So why is my CC going up? What can I do? In all, I have added 9 lbs of shock and 4 gallons of bleach...can you over shock a pool?

I also have an in-line Hayward chlorinator but there is nothing in it and it is turned off, trying not to use it this year as I have read lots of negative posts about them.

Any help would be appreciated...I am a newbie!

 

[tim5055]

Welcome to TFP!!

You are trying to mix pool store advice and TFPC advice. It won't work! The Yellow Out you added is an ammonia product, so chlorine was consumed and converted to CC.

The test results you didn't post was the CH test. I''m concerned over that one because of all the CalHypo shock you have used which raises CH.

I guess my question is, why are you "shocking" your pool? Is it cloudy? Is it green? Do you see algae?

We do not "shock" our pools, we follow the SLAM Process when there is a problem. A SLAM is a continuous process of adding chlorine to a pool multiple times a day over multiple days maintaining the shock level of chlorine until the pool is completely clear/clean, not a one time addition of chlorine. Additionally, you should be using liquid chlorine; (8.25% bleach or 10/12.5% chlorinating liquid). Solid forms of chlorine are adding things you may not need to your pool.

 

[Azgirl71]

Welcome to TFP! Tim pointed out your problem and have you some great advice.

 

[kimkats]

You are heading in the right direction! Just stay out of the pool store unless you want to buy toys LOL

For right now do a SLAM just like Tim talks about above. THAT is all you need to do. It is much cheaper and works MUCH better without the side effects of the other stuff.

Let us know how it is going!

Kim

 

[BeckyB]

Thanks for the info...very informative so far! To answer your question Tim the pool was very swampy with lots of algae. So I shouldn't be using the packets of shock, just the liquid bleach? I have been using the 8.25% kind in conjunction with shocking. This is wrong? I will go test for CH right now and report back with results shortly.

 

[BeckyB]

Okay, I tested for CH and the water never turned red....so I have no CH?

- - - Updated - - -

Not sure why previous post didn't show up but I had a green swampy pool with lots of algae...so I shouldn't be using packets of shock? I was using in conjunction with 8.25% liquid bleach...so just use liquid bleach?

 

[Azgirl71]

Just straight bleach. No shock packets.

 

[BeckyB]

Great, thanks! Looks like for my CYA I need be at 20-24 shock FC so I will go buy the recommended jugs of chlorine and go from there! I will update soon!

 

[tim5055]

Lisa is on the money. Liquid doesn't add anything to the pool you don't want. With a vinyl pool CH is unnecessary.

 

[BeckyB]

Ok so I went out and got my bleach and added 7 121 oz jugs last night and here are my readings this morning:

FC-0.5
CC-1
ph-7
TA-90
CY-50
CH-120

So my CC is going down, which is good. I guess I will add 7 more gallons today.

On a side note, I called a local pool store and asked if they sold liquid bleach...she said they aren't allowed to sell it in the state of Arkansas?? Is she pulling my leg or has anyone else encountered this? Seemed a little fishy.

 

[Azgirl71]

Some states are not allowed to sell liquid chlorine.

Good to see CC is dropping.

 

[BeckyB]

So far the SLAM is going very well! After my last readings yesterday morning, I added my bleach as per the Pool Calculator and when I came back around 2:30 that afternoon my FC was up to 12 and my CC was down to 0.5. So I added more bleach after that, trying to get to my 20 target.

I just tested this morning and here are new levels:

FC-15
CC-0 (yay!)
ph-7.4
cy-50
TA-110
CH-130

Do I need to keep going until I reach 20 just to be safe? And how do I know when I am ready bringing the FC level down?

 

[poolnoob.ca]

Hi Becky I would suggest saving reagents and just testing the fc and cc during the slam. The other parameters can be worked on after the slam. Best wishes

 

[BeckyB]

Thanks for the tip, will do.

 

[BeckyB]

And also, once I am done with SLAM what is a good level to keep FC at? 4..5?

 

[Azgirl71]

You would look on the chlorine cya chart for your CYA level and keep it in the recommended ranges.

 

[BeckyB]

Great, thanks...should I keep working up to 20 or just stay at 15 with CC of 0 and see if I can maintain at 15 before doing overnight test?

 

[Azgirl71]

If your SLAM target is 20 then keep it at 20 until you pass all SLAM criteria