Desert dweller adding lots of chlorine

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Oscar G.

Gold Supporter
Jun 21, 2019
135
Gilbert Arizona (Phoenix suburb)
Hello everyone!

We did the initial startup on our pool in the Valley of the Sun (Gilbert Az) just over two weeks ago and I expected to use 3-4ppm chlorine per day but it has been more like 5ppm. It has been very hot, 110-114 during that time and the pool temp has been 90-94 the last week or so.

I have done the overnight FC loss test 3 times and It looks like I am losing .5 to 1.0 ppm at night. The water is very clear and I have seen no signs of anything growing in the pool. We have been using the pool pretty much everyday, anywhere between 2-8 swimmers and of course no one showers prior to getting in the water... I have also interrogated all children and grandchildren and no one has fessed up to wizzing in the pool, although I have might doubts....;)

My CYA is at 40 ppm and I am bringing it up slowly, probably slower than necessary because I am being very cautious not to overshoot and I am also trying to getting comfortable conducting the test.

Is this normal chlorine usage for my climate and is my the overnight chlorine loss a concern? Thanks in advance for your help! :swim:
 
Oscar,

Most people in the desert use a CYA of 60 or more... There is quite a bit of difference in FC use as the CYA increase.. You have to keep the FC level higher, but the amount used goes down..

The more people that use the pool the higher the chlorine demand..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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Jimrahbe said:
Oscar,

Most people in the desert use a CYA of 60 or more... There is quite a bit of difference in FC use as the CYA increase.. You have to keep the FC level higher, but the amount used goes down..

The more people that use the pool the higher the chlorine demand..

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply! My usage is probably normal but wanted see if others are experiencing the same.
 
Oscar G. said:
I haven't registered my Pebble Tec and I am finding out that the document you attached is made available to the customer only after doing the registration! It looks like the recommended FC and CYA are the same for startup and long term maintenance, but they are obviously lower that TFP methods.
Click to expand...

The PebbleTec startup guide for the first 28 days is consistent with other plaster startup guides. You want the CSI for new plaster to be between 0 to +0.5 for best curing for the first 28 days. Those levels get you there.

After 28 days you have to decide the way you want to run your pool. Manufacturers have not updated their water chemistry recommendations in decades.
 
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Oscar G.
What Arizonarob say's. I think you are fine as well.
Tested my FC yesterday and it had dropped down to 4ppm, so had to crank my SWG percentage up a bit.
It's just that time of year here in our neck of the woods. Weather conditions and more swimming. Just maintain ALL the proper numbers in accordance with Pool Math and you won't have any problems. :)
r.
 

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Something to note is... littles are notoriously grungy. They rarely use napkins, and only wash their hands when told to do so. Amongst other things that make them sticky. Peeing in the pool is a given, don't ask them to tell on themselves. But remind them that you can tell a little pee accidentally leaked out when you have to use a lot of extra chlorine. (does not assign blame, and accounts for accidents)

You CAN require them to shower/rinse off before playing in the pool, and you can also require that everyone uses the toilet before swimming Maybe call up every once in a while for everyone to get out and go to the bathroom (one by one, of course). Water always makes humans want to pee. I can't seem to wash dishes without having to go as soon as I run the water. In addition to regular kiddo grunge, keep sunscreen in mind. All these factors come into play with daily chlorine consumption.

Adults are often no better, and they come with the adult grunge that littles don't have. Plus antiperspirant, hair products, etc. Bottom line is that the more swimmers you have, the more chlorine you'll need.

My latest estimate with adult swimmers is ~.5-.75ppm loss per person. In addition to the ~50% loss every day with no swimmers. It's rarely sunny here, and even less so this summer.
 
frogabog said:
Something to note is... littles are notoriously grungy. They rarely use napkins, and only wash their hands when told to do so. Amongst other things that make them sticky. Peeing in the pool is a given, don't ask them to tell on themselves. But remind them that you can tell a little pee accidentally leaked out when you have to use a lot of extra chlorine. (does not assign blame, and accounts for accidents)

You CAN require them to shower/rinse off before playing in the pool, and you can also require that everyone uses the toilet before swimming Maybe call up every once in a while for everyone to get out and go to the bathroom (one by one, of course). Water always makes humans want to pee. I can't seem to wash dishes without having to go as soon as I run the water. In addition to regular kiddo grunge, keep sunscreen in mind. All these factors come into play with daily chlorine consumption.

Adults are often no better, and they come with the adult grunge that littles don't have. Plus antiperspirant, hair products, etc. Bottom line is that the more swimmers you have, the more chlorine you'll need.

My latest estimate with adult swimmers is ~.5-.75ppm loss per person. In addition to the ~50% loss every day with no swimmers. It's rarely sunny here, and even less so this summer.
Click to expand...
Good point and oh how true! :p
 
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frogabog said:
Something to note is... littles are notoriously grungy. They rarely use napkins, and only wash their hands when told to do so. Amongst other things that make them sticky. Peeing in the pool is a given, don't ask them to tell on themselves. But remind them that you can tell a little pee accidentally leaked out when you have to use a lot of extra chlorine. (does not assign blame, and accounts for accidents)
Click to expand...

LOL, I told them that i would know when I tested the water that someone had peed.
 
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MyAZPool said:
Oscar G.
What Arizonarob say's. I think you are fine as well.
Tested my FC yesterday and it had dropped down to 4ppm, so had to crank my SWG percentage up a bit.
It's just that time of year here in our neck of the woods. Weather conditions and more swimming. Just maintain ALL the proper numbers in accordance with Pool Math and you won't have any problems. :)
r.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply! I like the convenience of the SWG and may consider adding one after I get through my first swim season...
 
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