I hire someone to take care of my pool. All of a sudden my CYA is measuring at 300. He claims he does not use anything that uses CUA other than tablets. We have used less than ten tablets in our pool. Why would my CYA be so high?
High CYA but I haven’t been using any
- Thread starter Emkrw
- Start date
Please add pool/equipment info to your signature.
Could it be high from last year?
Faulty test? Who checked it, what test kit did they use?
Could the person taking care of the pool not know what products contain CYA.
Could it be high from last year?
Faulty test? Who checked it, what test kit did they use?
Could the person taking care of the pool not know what products contain CYA.
The pool is brand new. We have had it since May. I tested it myself with test strips. It has never read high before. I have done 4 tests in the last four hours and they are all at the max level. I tested i noticed algae starting up and after he shocked my pool instead of clearing up the water turned a cloudy green. He sent me a list of What he puts in and the only thing that seems to have CYA are the tablets. He says he uses Liquid chlorine and cal hypo.
The pool is brand new. We have had it since May. I tested it myself with test strips. It has never read high before. I have done 4 tests in the last four hours and they are all at the max level. I tested i noticed algae starting up and after he shocked my pool instead of clearing up the water turned a cloudy green. He sent me a list of What he puts in and the only thing that seems to have CYA are the tablets. He says he uses chlorine bleach and
24 hours not 4 hours
Test strips are notoriously inaccurate. Get a proper test kit and see what the CYA really is,
www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com
Ph Strip vs drop test, severe discrepancy (pic)
Took a Ph test of my pool with both the strip and drop test and they seem to be very different. I imagine the drop test is more accurate, but why the discrepancy? If I'm matching the color right on the drop test, it looks closest to 7.5. How would you interpret the color? Also took the FC test...
www.troublefreepool.com
Clorox Pool & Spa Smart Test Strips - Save your $$
Hello all, So I'm about to go out of town, right as the thermometer toys with hitting triple-digits. To make a long story short, I have to leave my pool in the hands of someone who has little pool care experience. I use and love the TF-100, but I find the colorimetric pH and TC to require...
www.troublefreepool.com
Thanks. I definitely have algae now but the shock is not doing anything to get rid of it. I used green and clean and shock. Any recommendations?Test strips are notoriously inaccurate. Get a proper test kit and see what the CYA really is,
Ph Strip vs drop test, severe discrepancy (pic)
Took a Ph test of my pool with both the strip and drop test and they seem to be very different. I imagine the drop test is more accurate, but why the discrepancy? If I'm matching the color right on the drop test, it looks closest to 7.5. How would you interpret the color? Also took the FC test...Clorox Pool & Spa Smart Test Strips - Save your $$
Hello all, So I'm about to go out of town, right as the thermometer toys with hitting triple-digits. To make a long story short, I have to leave my pool in the hands of someone who has little pool care experience. I use and love the TF-100, but I find the colorimetric pH and TC to require...
Get a proper test kit and see what the CYA really is.
If you've been feeding your pool 2 FC per day since June 1 using trichlor, you've added about 80 CYA. If your usage has been higher, so is your CYA. If you;ve been feeding it pucks longer than since June 1, it'll be even higher. Just to get enough chlorine in the pool to react and make a noticeable dent in any algae will take gallons of bleach. Get a proper test kit and see what the CYA really is.
Test strips are notoriously inaccurate. Get a proper test kit and see what the CYA really is,
Ph Strip vs drop test, severe discrepancy (pic)
Took a Ph test of my pool with both the strip and drop test and they seem to be very different. I imagine the drop test is more accurate, but why the discrepancy? If I'm matching the color right on the drop test, it looks closest to 7.5. How would you interpret the color? Also took the FC test...Clorox Pool & Spa Smart Test Strips - Save your $$
Hello all, So I'm about to go out of town, right as the thermometer toys with hitting triple-digits. To make a long story short, I have to leave my pool in the hands of someone who has little pool care experience. I use and love the TF-100, but I find the colorimetric pH and TC to require...
thanks. Even though my chlorine is very high. The water looks like this. I had them test it at leslies and they said the CYA is at 70. I was unable to get an actual test kit today.Test strips are notoriously inaccurate. Get a proper test kit and see what the CYA really is,
Ph Strip vs drop test, severe discrepancy (pic)
Took a Ph test of my pool with both the strip and drop test and they seem to be very different. I imagine the drop test is more accurate, but why the discrepancy? If I'm matching the color right on the drop test, it looks closest to 7.5. How would you interpret the color? Also took the FC test...Clorox Pool & Spa Smart Test Strips - Save your $$
Hello all, So I'm about to go out of town, right as the thermometer toys with hitting triple-digits. To make a long story short, I have to leave my pool in the hands of someone who has little pool care experience. I use and love the TF-100, but I find the colorimetric pH and TC to require...
Attachments
You have a choice - follow what Leslie's say our our recommendations. Harsh - but it's the truth
My first suggestion is to stop going to the pool store. Their only response it to sell you something. Green to Clean was the worst thing you couldput in your water. It's an ammonia based product and now you are going to have to eliminate the ammonia before you can start killing algae.
I will tell you, it didn't turn green overnight and it will take time to clear. But, we can teach you how to get it sparkling and keep it that way for a lot less money than the pool store.
Not much credence is given to pool store testing around here. While you would think that a "professional" would be the best, unfortunately in most cases it is quite the opposite. Between employees who blindly trust the word of chemical sales representatives and high school kids working in the pool store for the summer you end up with poor results from their testing. Plus, the results of their "testing" is used to convince you that you need to buy things. Why do you think that testing is free?
But, what can you do?? We base our pool care system on accurate testing and only adding what the pool needs, when it needs it. To do that you need your own accurate test kit. Order a TF-100 Test Kit ™ and at least include the XL Option . That will give you what you need while you are clearing the pool, and probably enough reagents for a couple of years normal use.
While you wait for it to get delivered, you have a homework reading assignment. Start with these:
www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com
Please don't go back to the pool store for a test kit. To effectively practice the TFPC methods, the FAS/DPD chlorine test is essential. The TF-100 Test Kit ™ has this test while very few other kits do. The kits sold at the pool store generally won't won't cut it, but be careful pool store employees are known to say “it's the same thing”. Generally it's not!
Until you get your kit, each day I want you to put one bottle of bleach (yes, the same stuff you use for laundry) in the pool with the filter running. Be careful, it needs to be plain bleach, no scents, no EZ-Pour and none of the new Cloramax or laundry enhancing formulas.
Continue brushing and running the filter, cleaning the filter as necessary.
So, welcome to TFP!!
My first suggestion is to stop going to the pool store. Their only response it to sell you something. Green to Clean was the worst thing you couldput in your water. It's an ammonia based product and now you are going to have to eliminate the ammonia before you can start killing algae.
I will tell you, it didn't turn green overnight and it will take time to clear. But, we can teach you how to get it sparkling and keep it that way for a lot less money than the pool store.
Not much credence is given to pool store testing around here. While you would think that a "professional" would be the best, unfortunately in most cases it is quite the opposite. Between employees who blindly trust the word of chemical sales representatives and high school kids working in the pool store for the summer you end up with poor results from their testing. Plus, the results of their "testing" is used to convince you that you need to buy things. Why do you think that testing is free?
But, what can you do?? We base our pool care system on accurate testing and only adding what the pool needs, when it needs it. To do that you need your own accurate test kit. Order a TF-100 Test Kit ™ and at least include the XL Option . That will give you what you need while you are clearing the pool, and probably enough reagents for a couple of years normal use.
While you wait for it to get delivered, you have a homework reading assignment. Start with these:
ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry
There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.
www.troublefreepool.com
Recommended Pool Chemicals
Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.
www.troublefreepool.com
How to Chlorinate Your Pool
Before chlorinating your pool, you should know these simple tips. Learn the best way to add chlorine to your pool.
www.troublefreepool.com
Please don't go back to the pool store for a test kit. To effectively practice the TFPC methods, the FAS/DPD chlorine test is essential. The TF-100 Test Kit ™ has this test while very few other kits do. The kits sold at the pool store generally won't won't cut it, but be careful pool store employees are known to say “it's the same thing”. Generally it's not!
Until you get your kit, each day I want you to put one bottle of bleach (yes, the same stuff you use for laundry) in the pool with the filter running. Be careful, it needs to be plain bleach, no scents, no EZ-Pour and none of the new Cloramax or laundry enhancing formulas.
Continue brushing and running the filter, cleaning the filter as necessary.
So, welcome to TFP!!
Ok. ThankS for your help! The pool did literally turn green over night. It was crystal clear Monday and green on Tuesday. That’s why I’m so perplexed.You have a choice - follow what Leslie's say our our recommendations. Harsh - but it's the truth
My first suggestion is to stop going to the pool store. Their only response it to sell you something. Green to Clean was the worst thing you couldput in your water. It's an ammonia based product and now you are going to have to eliminate the ammonia before you can start killing algae.
I will tell you, it didn't turn green overnight and it will take time to clear. But, we can teach you how to get it sparkling and keep it that way for a lot less money than the pool store.
Not much credence is given to pool store testing around here. While you would think that a "professional" would be the best, unfortunately in most cases it is quite the opposite. Between employees who blindly trust the word of chemical sales representatives and high school kids working in the pool store for the summer you end up with poor results from their testing. Plus, the results of their "testing" is used to convince you that you need to buy things. Why do you think that testing is free?
But, what can you do?? We base our pool care system on accurate testing and only adding what the pool needs, when it needs it. To do that you need your own accurate test kit. Order a TF-100 Test Kit ™ and at least include the XL Option . That will give you what you need while you are clearing the pool, and probably enough reagents for a couple of years normal use.
While you wait for it to get delivered, you have a homework reading assignment. Start with these:
ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry
There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.
Recommended Pool Chemicals
Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.
How to Chlorinate Your Pool
Before chlorinating your pool, you should know these simple tips. Learn the best way to add chlorine to your pool.
Please don't go back to the pool store for a test kit. To effectively practice the TFPC methods, the FAS/DPD chlorine test is essential. The TF-100 Test Kit ™ has this test while very few other kits do. The kits sold at the pool store generally won't won't cut it, but be careful pool store employees are known to say “it's the same thing”. Generally it's not!
Until you get your kit, each day I want you to put one bottle of bleach (yes, the same stuff you use for laundry) in the pool with the filter running. Be careful, it needs to be plain bleach, no scents, no EZ-Pour and none of the new Cloramax or laundry enhancing formulas.
Continue brushing and running the filter, cleaning the filter as necessary.
So, welcome to TFP!!
- Jul 17, 2019
- 3,721
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Are you sure it is algae and not metal? Sometimes the pool store magic potions have copper in them. Seems dumb that a pool store would sell you something that would cause your water to turn green, but it happens all of the time.
If it is algae, there are no magic potions, the answer is simply chlorine.
If it is algae, there are no magic potions, the answer is simply chlorine.
What @tim5055 stated is the gospel. It has been proven time over time to do your own testing. follow the additives needed per Pool Math and enjoy your pool with minimal expense to maintain it.
I’m not sure. I have no idea what it is. It was green before I put anything from the pool store in it. The man who cleans my pool used liquid chlorine and cal hypo. After he left it turned from clear to green.
Before you have a pool, and take the time to learn, it seems like you need both a chemistry and an engineering degree to make things work. The intimidation factor is very high. This is why pool guys can stay in business, because they have the 2 major things, the ability to give you confidence that they know what to do, and time to do it.
But, take some time to learn here. Read pool school. Post questions in your forums, and great people will help. Search for similar posts to yours to learn form others. Read through some forums, just to see what sounds interesting, adn try to learn form them all. It comes quickly, and truly, it is not that difficult. You should be able to maintain a pool with about 5 minutes per day, and once, maybe twice a week with an additional 25-40 minutes in a day.
Get the TF-100 test kit. Just accept that it is the best and most accurate way to test your pool. There are lots of other ways, they are just not as accurate. Do not accept them, and this include pool stores who test for you for free.
Never put anything into your pool just because someone said so. Make sure you know what that product does, and what the side effects are. If you ar ento sure, read pool school on this site. If you still are not sure, simply ask in these forums, Can I put XXX in my pool, and people will let you know if it is a good idea.
But here is the starting advice to help you out. Tablets are not the ideal thing to use. Tey serve a purpose for time to time usage, but regular usage is bad, and will cause nothing but problems. Just like most things in life, there are no magic beans, and tablets are not the magic beans of pool maintenance.
Next, learn the relationship of CYA and FC in your pool. Failure to do so will cost you way too much money, and cause your pool to always be green and/or cloudy. Your CYA is at least 80 right now, I doubt it is 300, but who knows without a true test. At this CYA level, anything less than 5ppm of chlorine is sort of like not having any chlorine at all. Ideally, your need to keep your chlorine level at 8 to 10. I bet you dont even have a test that can test FC that high. This comes with the TF-100 kit. And to make matters worse, to get your pool clean, you probably need to do a SLAM. To do this, you need to get yoru FC up to 28, and leave it there until it gets clear. Just so you know, it is safe to swim at the SLAM level.
But one thing that you might have heard from pool guys, is that you need to shock the pool, maybe once per week. This means, pour a lot of liquid chlorine into your pool on Sunday night. This is half a solution at best, and maybe not even half. Let me give you an analogy to help understand. This is like cutting yoruself with a knife pretty badly, and simply putting a band aid on it, and assuming it will be OK withotu getting stitches, without cleaning hte wound out, without ever changing the band aid, etc. A proper SLAM puts the FC high, and keeps it there until the enemy of algae is wiped out.
Good luck, but right now your first step is to read someon this site, then quickly go out and do the SLAM.
But, take some time to learn here. Read pool school. Post questions in your forums, and great people will help. Search for similar posts to yours to learn form others. Read through some forums, just to see what sounds interesting, adn try to learn form them all. It comes quickly, and truly, it is not that difficult. You should be able to maintain a pool with about 5 minutes per day, and once, maybe twice a week with an additional 25-40 minutes in a day.
Get the TF-100 test kit. Just accept that it is the best and most accurate way to test your pool. There are lots of other ways, they are just not as accurate. Do not accept them, and this include pool stores who test for you for free.
Never put anything into your pool just because someone said so. Make sure you know what that product does, and what the side effects are. If you ar ento sure, read pool school on this site. If you still are not sure, simply ask in these forums, Can I put XXX in my pool, and people will let you know if it is a good idea.
But here is the starting advice to help you out. Tablets are not the ideal thing to use. Tey serve a purpose for time to time usage, but regular usage is bad, and will cause nothing but problems. Just like most things in life, there are no magic beans, and tablets are not the magic beans of pool maintenance.
Next, learn the relationship of CYA and FC in your pool. Failure to do so will cost you way too much money, and cause your pool to always be green and/or cloudy. Your CYA is at least 80 right now, I doubt it is 300, but who knows without a true test. At this CYA level, anything less than 5ppm of chlorine is sort of like not having any chlorine at all. Ideally, your need to keep your chlorine level at 8 to 10. I bet you dont even have a test that can test FC that high. This comes with the TF-100 kit. And to make matters worse, to get your pool clean, you probably need to do a SLAM. To do this, you need to get yoru FC up to 28, and leave it there until it gets clear. Just so you know, it is safe to swim at the SLAM level.
But one thing that you might have heard from pool guys, is that you need to shock the pool, maybe once per week. This means, pour a lot of liquid chlorine into your pool on Sunday night. This is half a solution at best, and maybe not even half. Let me give you an analogy to help understand. This is like cutting yoruself with a knife pretty badly, and simply putting a band aid on it, and assuming it will be OK withotu getting stitches, without cleaning hte wound out, without ever changing the band aid, etc. A proper SLAM puts the FC high, and keeps it there until the enemy of algae is wiped out.
Good luck, but right now your first step is to read someon this site, then quickly go out and do the SLAM.