Struggling in Phoenix area..

[pwcfan]

Been following your site for a year now.
Trying to maintain my own pool in retirement.
A constant struggle.
Stopped using pucks. Buying my chems at WallyWorld. Using best dates available.
Emptied/refilled pool in January. Water in PHX is VERY hard.
Water temp now 86.
Palm tree shedding season, putting A LOT of debris in pool.
Always getting green algae on sides, especially in the shade.
Tried adding PhosFree yesterday to fight the debris issue.
My test results this am:
FC 1
Total CL 1
PH 8 (added 2 qts 14% Muriatic Acid)
Alk 140
Calcium 290
CYA 60
Sweeping pool everyday.
I did not think this would be so much work.
Using 2 gallons of CL every week. 1 gall of MA per week.
What am I doing wrong ????

 

[mknauss]

Right now, you need to follow the SLAM Process. Do you have a FAS-DPD test kit for FC/CC testing?

 

[ajw22]

What specific chlorine are you using?

Is it Pool Essentials Chlorinating Liquid - Walmart.com

 

[YippeeSkippy]

What is the "aerator"....aerating? Do you have a spa? That may be contributing to rising pH. The pucks you used to use were very acidic and helped keep the pH down.

You have a big pool- I'd say you're actually probably underdosing the FC, which can certainly invite algae to the party.

Maddie

 

[pwcfan]

What specific chlorine are you using?

Is it Pool Essentials Chlorinating Liquid - Walmart.com

Yep, Pool Essentials.........best born on dates available.

 

[pwcfan]

Right now, you need to follow the SLAM Process. Do you have a FAS-DPD test kit for FC/CC testing?

No sir, I do not have this test kit. I just have my normal test kit as prescribed in this forum. I use this once a week. Test strips the other 6 days of the week.

Should I get this test kit, before I SLAM ?

 

[ajw22]

128 oz of 10% will raise your FC by 4.5. You can lose 2-4 FC ppm a day. You may need to use 1/2 to 1 gallon of 10% a day to maintain your FC level. 2 gallons a week is not enough.

Get a SWG to reduce the daily work.

 

[pwcfan]

What is the "aerator"....aerating? Do you have a spa? That may be contributing to rising pH. The pucks you used to use were very acidic and helped keep the pH down.

You have a big pool- I'd say you're actually probably underdosing the FC, which can certainly invite algae to the party.

Maddie

I do have an aerator. I rarely use it.....honestly I did not think it was that important to the chemistry balance......thank you for the tip. I will turn on now and do some research on TFP.

 

[ajw22]

No sir, I do not have this test kit. I just have my normal test kit as prescribed in this forum. I use this once a week. Test strips the other 6 days of the week.

Should I get this test kit, before I SLAM ?

The two test kits recommended here are the TF-100 or the Taylor K-2006C. See Test Kits Compared. You cannot reliably measure your FC with test strips.

 

[ajw22]

I do have an aerator. I rarely use it.....honestly I did not think it was that important to the chemistry balance......thank you for the tip. I will turn on now and do some research on TFP.

Why are you turning your aerator on now? It will raise your pH.

 

[pwcfan]

The two test kits recommended here are the TF-100 or the Taylor K-2006C. See Test Kits Compared. You cannot reliably measure your FC with test strips.

I have a Taylor K2005/Leslie’s 81-330..........I use it once a week, and the strips the other 6 days.

 

[mknauss]

You need a FAS/DPD Chlorine & CC's test

The strips should not be used. Not accurate nor repeatable.

 

[ajw22]

I have a Taylor K2005/Leslie’s 81-330..........I use it once a week, and the strips the other 6 days.

Strips are worthless every day of the week.

Get the FAS/DPD Chlorine & CC's test to do proper FC test every day and keep your FC in the target for your CYA following the FC/CYA Levels. Use PoolMath to calculate how much CL to add daily.

 

[pwcfan]

Right now, you need to follow the SLAM Process. Do you have a FAS-DPD test kit for FC/CC testing?

FC-DPD test kit on order.
SLAM started.
Thank you sir !!

 

[pwcfan]

Why are you turning your aerator on now? It will raise your pH.

I was confused by earlier post. I have now turned it off.

 

[pwcfan]

Strips are worthless every day of the week.

Get the FAS/DPD Chlorine & CC's test to do proper FC test every day and keep your FC in the target for your CYA following the FC/CYA Levels. Use PoolMath to calculate how much CL to add daily.

I have downloaded the Pool Math app. I am now using it too.

 

[pwcfan]

Thank you EVERYONE !!!!! I will keep you all updated on my progress....

 

[ajw22]

What levels can you measure your FC without the FAS/DPD test? How can you accurately do the SLAM Process?

 

[mickey4paws]

FC-DPD test kit on order.
SLAM started.
Thank you sir !!

If it's not too late to add it to your order I would highly recommend the Speedstir. It makes testing a lot easier.

 

[pwcfan]

Update 6-26-19/2pm pac daylight time
FC-DPD test kit arrived
Latest test results:
FC 16
CC 1
TC 17
PH 7.8
ALK 110
Calcium 300
CYA 50
Chlorine results from FC-DPD kit
This after adding 1 gal chlorine this am, and brushing pool.
Water temp 86
Pump running 10 hrs @3200rpm.

Suggestions?