Newbie ... Going away for a week ...

Jump to latest Follow Reply
S

Staci

0
Sep 12, 2016
149
Clover, SC
and we don't want to loose the pool before the season starts. I have kept it clear and the #'s decent over the winter. We are going away over spring break and the daytime temps are starting to creep up and the sun is getting stronger and longer.
Do I just bring my chlorine level up to SLAM? :confused:
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

~ Staci
 
If your CYA will support it, you can always bring the pool up to SLAM levels and float a chlorine tab to help it stay above minimums. Alternatively (or additionally), if you have a solar cover, you can leave it covered, which will greatly reduce the chlorine burnoff due to sun.

What are your current test numbers in the following format so we can assist with your issue (the most important for this particular issue are in bold)?

FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
 
OK, we had some bright sunlight this afternoon... below are my #'s

triptyx said:
What are your current test numbers in the following format so we can assist with your issue (the most important for this particular issue are in bold)?

FC = 7
CC = 0
pH = 8.2+
TA = 180 not sure what my target should be on this one
CH = 75 not sure what my target should be on this one either
CYA = 55
Click to expand...
 
At a 55 CYA (how did you get that number - we usually round since being able to see the dot halfway between two of the numbers is not actually half of the difference since the scale is logarithmic), you could likely afford a single CYA tablet. This will push you to the neighborhood of 60 CYA, which is still ok as long as you're maintaining your FC properly.

Were it my pool, I would raise the pool to SLAM level the night before leaving, float a single .5lb chlorine tablet in a floater, and you'll likely be in good shape when you get back. Alternatively, if you have a friendly neighbor, you could provide them with premeasured chlorine doses to put in every third day or so.
 
triptyx said:
At a 55 CYA (how did you get that number - we usually round since being able to see the dot halfway between two of the numbers is not actually half of the difference since the scale is logarithmic)

Were it my pool, I would raise the pool to SLAM level the night before leaving, float a single .5lb chlorine tablet in a floater, and you'll likely be in good shape when you get back. Alternatively, if you have a friendly neighbor, you could provide them with premeasured chlorine doses to put in every third day or so
.
Click to expand...

I stopped seeing the dot and it was between the 50 & 60 so I assumed it would be 55 (do you round down or up?)
I think I will try the SLAM route as I've only known my neighbor for 6 months and she is already coming to feed the cat and fish... don't want to push to much ;) Thank you for the advice
 
triptyx said:
If your CYA will support it, you can always bring the pool up to SLAM levels and float a chlorine tab to help it stay above minimums. Alternatively (or additionally), if you have a solar cover, you can leave it covered, which will greatly reduce the chlorine burnoff due to sun.
Click to expand...

I just wanted to thank you for the info, this forum is a huge source of info!!

I brought the pool to SLAM level and just covered it & it was perfect when we got back!
 
OK, we are going away again, but now the sun is really strong, on the pool ALL DAY and it's HOT out. We have someone staying at the house and she is going to use the pool so I can't bring it up to SLAM. Our pool has been using anywhere from 8-13 cups of bleach a day. :confused: (seems like a lot, I actually had to dump almost a gallon in the night before, but I digress until later) If I have her add 9 cups daily and float a tab, do you all think we will be OK? I am so nervous to get another algae outbreak! I delt with that again about a month ago!

My#'s are as follows...

FC = 8
CC = 0
pH = 7.8 (but added MA to lower it to 7.2)
TA = 120
CH = 50
CYA = 60

MY BLEACH ISSUE: :confused: Just curious as to what your thoughts are as to why I need to be putting in that much bleach daily.
I have NOTHING in the pool, no stairs, no lights... nothing.
I have never let it drop below the recommended # after my last alae debacle, I even added points to my # to make sure it never drops below that again.
I am supposed to be at 7-9 I try to keep it between 9-11 (I think I let it drop below my lowest target# and that's why I had the last outbreak)
My pH usually sits around 7.5
I am having a heck of a time getting that TA to come down (we don't have any way to aerate the pool other then the kids splashing their hearts out.)
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
The water is safe to swim in up to the slam level so that should not be a concern.

A tab or two in a floater isn't a big deal as long as you realize it will raise your CYA a little higher. FC loss per day for an uncovered pool is between 2 and 4ppm, so I think adding a 1/2 gallon a day isn't that big of a deal. Since you have someone there who wants to use the pool why not show them how to test it so they know it's safe. Print out the FC/CYA chart and circle your CYA so they know where to keep the FC. Show them how to use Pool math so it's even easier for them.

With a vinyl pool TA isn't a huge deal. Check you CSI in pool math, as long as your in range don't worry about it. And with your pH being relatively stable there is even less to worry about. High TA often drives up pH, you battle it down to keep the pH in check. If it isn't moving don't bother, just be happy it isn't 220 and requiring muriatic acid every week like mine.
 
A TA of 120 can't be all that bad. Mine has been at 140 for over a month, and the pH hasn't budged off of 7.5 for almost that entire time. Almost scary consistent ... seems like a lot of people report wild swings in pH :shrug: Not sure whether or not TA moves much for anyone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply