Still Confused over Free Clorine , Total Chlorine and Combined Chlorine. Is Combined Chlorine bad ?

[mac1911]

I have a 6000 gallon UG round pool. With the help of TFP and the Taylor test kit I have had a good run this year and with just a few weeks left I have only had 1 little algae bloom. I under estimated the chlorine use on the hottest week of the year. Quickly caught and corrected.
That said Im still a bit confused about the Chlorine test results.

I have been running my pool as follows
I brush every day and filter is run at least 6 hrs a day 1500gph
Clean filter every few days after I vacuum ( no filters to be found in stock, those small A/C type filters ) I have been using the old filters 2X
PH has been very stable all season 7.2-7.6
CYA was brought up to 40 and again has been stable all season. I just ran out of the drops this last test.
Chlorine demand has been 1-2 cups daily to keep Chlorine at 5.0

When I run the combined Chlorine test the sample does not change when I add the 5 drops of R-003 there is no color change. Now I must assume this is good ?

Another test kit I have gives FC 5.0 and TC 5.0 readings ? Now if I am understanding this correctly I should have 0 combined chlorine, correct

Here is my test from this AM
Water Temp 78'F
Free Chlorine 5.0
combined Chlorine 0
Total Chlorine from another test kit 5.0
Of course its not a very good comparison as the dip strips only provide a "range" for example the CYA range is 40-100 for the "ok" zone
PH 7.4
TA 70
CYA 40- is it normal for a small pool to maintain such steady readings ?

Also best place to buy Taylor 2006 test kit refills and should I buy them now or in the spring?

 

[mknauss]

ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
FC and CC are values that matter. TC is meaningless, it is the combination of the two.
CC of 0.5 or less is good.
CYA should stay very stable unless you add more or drain water and replace it with non-CYA water.

You can get refills at TFTestkits.net. If you have enough to last this season, wait until spring.

 

[mac1911]

ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
FC and CC are values that matter. TC is meaningless, it is the combination of the two.
CC of 0.5 or less is good.
CYA should stay very stable unless you add more or drain water and replace it with non-CYA water.

You can get refills at TFTestkits.net. If you have enough to last this season, wait until spring.

Thank you,
So when I do the CC test and it does not change color with the 5 drops of R-003 all is good, correct.

I dont think I will need to test CYA again as the seasons winding down. looks like next week is anothwer hot one but the sun is not on the pool as much these days. Pool get taken down 1st week sept usually

 

[mknauss]

So when I do the CC test and it does not change color with the 5 drops of R-003 all is good, correct.

Correct.

 

[Donldson]

I would strongly suggest getting rid of the test strips. Due to the price they have to be sold at QC is virtually non-existent and have been shown time and time again to show literally impossible numbers. Couple that with their extreme imprecision, as you noticed, and they just aren't worth even having around.

 

[mac1911]

I would strongly suggest getting rid of the test strips. Due to the price they have to be sold at QC is virtually non-existent and have been shown time and time again to show literally impossible numbers. Couple that with their extreme imprecision, as you noticed, and they just aren't worth even having around.

My wife purchased them for quick checks of FC as the local stores where out of stock on the simple FC/PH test kits she likes to use everyday. i do the K2006 testing as shes not interested in learning . So the quick test keep us from getting in trouble as she can see quickly if the FC dropped off and can add a cup. Shes home 90% of the time in the pool with kids. i do the more precise testing/cleaning/brushing
Kids are saying the water looks cloudy? i can see the bottom clearly and the numbers look good. No puffs while brushing?
I dont see it.
Not sure what i should do other than keep everything going as is and get these last few weeks in.
Not sure if SLAM is worth doing when I will be draining the pool in 25 days or so?

 

[zea3]

5ppm is the bottom of your recommended FC range. If you are only dosing the pool to reach 5ppm, then you are dropping below the minimum FC level on a regular basis. Your water probably is dull looking as the chlorine level you are maintaining is barely keeping algae at bay. I imagine if you get busy and miss a dose or two the pool will turn green on you very quickly. Your target range is 5-7. Dose the pool up to 7ppm and never let it drop below 5ppm.

 

[mac1911]

5ppm is the bottom of your recommended FC range. If you are only dosing the pool to reach 5ppm, then you are dropping below the minimum FC level on a regular basis. Your water probably is dull looking as the chlorine level you are maintaining is barely keeping algae at bay. I imagine if you get busy and miss a dose or two the pool will turn green on you very quickly. Your target range is 5-7. Dose the pool up to 7ppm and never let it drop below 5ppm.

This is what i was just thinking, im going to take a FC reading now and check it early AM if its below 5 I will do that

 

[mac1911]

Just a up date:
So saturday evening i took a reading it was 6ppm sunday morning it was 5ppm. i decided to bring it up to SLAM level which was 16 on the app. I added the amount of fresh Chlorine and off i went. I checked it around 9pm last night and it was at 17ppm this morning it was down to 15ppm. i brought it back up to 17ppm per the app.
I know im supposed to do mozt of this at night but i was out .
i dont see any signs of algea and the filter has been very clean . I rinse it 2x a day. Pump has been running for 24 hrs since friday. i think way the kids see is the sun is now much lower in the sky and not directly above. The pool.
No signs of dead algae collecting on the pool bottom or in the seem lip, thats the first sign I see.
Im not sure how much chlorine drop i will see by tonight ?

 

[Mdragger88]

If u are doing the SLAM Process it is a multiple times daily process of testing & bringing back to slam level.
Not just at night.

 

[mac1911]

If u are doing the SLAM Process it is a multiple times daily process of testing & bringing back to slam level.
Not just at night.

I understand , my writing skills often do not translate to what I think I want to say.
I tried my best to test and add chlorine often to keep slam levels up I even came home from work to brush and clean /test at lunch.
I had to add and test when possible thats all. I tested the chlorine levels after sunset and as early as I could each day for 2 days looking for over night loss. It did not exceed 2.0 either night and im back (3rd night was less than 1.0 loss, that .2 ppm dropper test really eats up testing chems) down to holding 6.0 My range is 5-7 per the CYA chart so I try to hold at 6 and when it falls I go back to 7.
Water looks as clear as it every did to my eyes and im not getting much of anything for signs of dead algae in the filter or bottom of pool?
all is good. Except I ran out of the chlorine test drops today. Replacement should be here soon. From Tftestkits.
Thank you
Now if I could just find a simple way to connect the 2500gph filter with out 20 different adapters.
the skimmer filter pump is already sounding like its going. I have not had one of these small intex/summer wages 1500gph last much more than a season. I have

 

[mac1911]

I have 2 back ups from warranty and old pool and neighbors old sand filter if really needed. The 2500gph pump would cut run time down and increase turnover in such a small pool 6000 gallon

 

[Mdragger88]

Did u meet all 3 end of slam criteria?
You are done when:

• CC is 0.5 or lower;
• You pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test shows a loss of 1.0 ppm or less);
• And the water is clear.

When all three are true, you are done SLAMing and can allow the FC to drift down to normal levels.