how low can I let FC go

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You do not want to mix the two forms of chlorine. An explosion can occur.

So add the liquid chlorine. Then go measure and dissolve the cal hypo. Then add it. That is sufficient.
 
So 16 bottles chlorine just arrived. Nice. Now have 28 bottles. One every other day is 56. If alternated with cal-hypo that is 112 days. 3.7 months. Shortage might be over then. And then Fall will be here and chlorine consumption goes way way down. Last Nov I used 1gal every 1-2 weeks. Maybe no algae bloom in my future. Last one was 7 years ago. Would be a shame to break the trend. Thanks again for the idea to alternate. Was brilliant.
 
I continue with the "skimpy chlorine" plan. Ok so far. Overnight test ok and no CC. Did get some polyquat and put in 8 oz.

But a question please.

I try to dissolve "all" of the cal-hypo but seems always some white flakes on the bottom to brush. Pain. Is there a trick to get it "all" to dissolve in the bucket? Like mixing a day or two before and letting it sit in the bucket? Or using hot water? Or???

Thanks.
 
It won't completely dissolve in a bucket. It also creates its own heat when you add water, so I would not use hot water to dissolve the cal-hypo. If you let it sit a day or two in the bucket first its going to loose its strength, and there's a good chance the chlorine gas created in the bucket will bleach the ground around it and any nearby surfaces. You can try pouring about 1/2 the liquid into the pool and then add more pool water to the bucket. Mix it gently with a stick, don't try to use a power tool to stir it. You are trying to dissolve a large amount of cal-hypo compared to the capacity of the bucket. The water reaches its saturation point before all the cal-hypo dissolves, so you need more unsaturated water to dissolve remaining cal-hypo.
 
zea3 said:
It won't completely dissolve in a bucket. It also creates its own heat when you add water, so I would not use hot water to dissolve the cal-hypo. If you let it sit a day or two in the bucket first its going to loose its strength, and there's a good chance the chlorine gas created in the bucket will bleach the ground around it and any nearby surfaces. You can try pouring about 1/2 the liquid into the pool and then add more pool water to the bucket. Mix it gently with a stick, don't try to use a power tool to stir it. You are trying to dissolve a large amount of cal-hypo compared to the capacity of the bucket. The water reaches its saturation point before all the cal-hypo dissolves, so you need more unsaturated water to dissolve remaining cal-hypo.
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I just sprinkle cal-hypo directly into the pool when I use it. Walk around and never pour a lot in one spot. It dissolves pretty well.
 
This witch’s brew chlorination technique doesn’t sound like something I’ve ever seen promoted here. Sounds a bit tricky and unsafe. And polyquat along with chlorine? I thought they could not be used together.
 
revitup said:
This witch’s brew chlorination technique doesn’t sound like something I’ve ever seen promoted here. Sounds a bit tricky and unsafe. And polyquat along with chlorine? I thought they could not be used together.
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What are you referring to as "witches brew"? No one is advocating mixing different types of chlorine in the same bucket. Polyquat is recommended as a little extra protection when chlorine must be low, such as when doing an Ascorbic Acid treatment. It is not recommended as a normal part of the TFP routine because in most cases it is unneeded, however our OP for this thread is having difficulty locating chlorine in their area, so the polyquat was recommended in case the FC drops below recommended levels before they can aquire more chlorine.
 
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zea3 said:
Polyquat is recommended as a little extra protection when chlorine must be low, such as when doing an Ascorbic Acid treatment
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Or for winter when some of us that close don’t or can’t keep the FC up. Which is basically the scenario we have here, just for a shorter term. There is no guarantee that it works. But it does enough times that it’s worth trying.
 
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Perhaps ‘witch’s brew’ is a little over the top but here’s where I’m coming from:
Trying to dissolve cal-hypo in a bucket. Why not just put it in the pool and brush to dissolve and avoid the risks of the extra step?
I’m of the understanding that chlorine breaks down/oxidizes polyquat. If used together certain dosing processes need to be followed to ensure the effectiveness of both. I saw no mention of that when I think that’s an important consideration.
 

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revitup said:
I’m of the understanding that chlorine breaks down/oxidizes polyquat
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To my understanding as well, it does and that is why the polyquat is only good for up to 90 days while the watered down pool store stuff is maybe ok for 30 days. (*IF* it doesn’t have copper in it on *top* of being watered down)
revitup said:
If used together certain dosing processes need to be followed to ensure the effectiveness of both
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For winterizing we bring FC to SLAM and polyquat (for those that like it). It’s kind of a Hail Mary pass there and here.
 
revitup said:
Why not just put it in the pool and brush to dissolve and avoid the risks of the extra step?
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In most cases we agree. But this process is because some calcium does not readily dissolve. So if that calcium sits on your pool surface, it can stain or even create a small calcium scale patch. So it is best to dissolve in a bucket, then pour in all but the solids. Then attempt to dissolve those with more water, or dispose of them.
 
mguzzy said:
yeah.. but I am understanding the Polyquat is on hand if the other chlorine options run out. and the FC drops to 1ppm range. Its not going to be used in conjunction with the chlorine at this stage. Right?
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engrav said:
I continue with the "skimpy chlorine" plan. Ok so far. Overnight test ok and no CC. Did get some polyquat and put in 8 oz.
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Sounds to me like polyquat is being used in conjunction with the ‘skimpy’ chlorine .
 
engrav said:
thanks
if at the same time same place, what happens?
if at the same time but the opposite return, what happens?
thanks again
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Ive never been able to get a good answer to this. Generally rule in life is to not mix chemicals is probably part of it.

I have read with shock and algaecide, the chlorine content will disrupt the polymers used in algaecide rendering it ineffective.

May be a similar case with liquid + bleach. Some other chemical usage in liquid is disrupted? Dont really know personally. Ive done it before
 
Witches brew?
I like it. The TFP witches brew. ½ chlorine, ½ cal-hypo and ½ polyquat 60. For folks short of chlorine. Not in a caldron of course. Some here. Some there. Some at this time. Some at that time. Is magic.

Witches do magic. Would make zea3 the TFP witch. :)

Seems to work. Last couple weeks used only ½ the usual chlorine and all looks fine.
Brushing the cal-hypo is a pain.

As for chlorine and polyquat, see Polyquat 60 and Slam
wherein I see
1) together is Ok but
2) chlorine oxidizes polyquat meaning that polyquat must be added more often than usual in the presence of chlorine
3) polyquat will reduce needed chlorine levels
 
So found some chlorine, maybe shortage is withering

But the witches brew worked for month. Only used ½ the chlorine and no trouble with algae.

Brushing the residual on the bottom is a pain.
Polyquat is not cheap.

But it worked. Thanks for the advice.
 
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engrav said:
16 bottles chlorine just arrived. Nice. Now have 28 bottles. One every other day is 56. If alternated with cal-hypo that is 112 days. 3.7 months.
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I stocked up on 8 bottles of liquid chlorine to dose my pool and SLAM it before installing my SWG, and gave myself a little wiggle room just in case. I returned 4 jugs unused, but had used one and a bit from the second 4 pak, so couldn't return it.

Then the house next door sold and the new owners were scrambling to find chems for their pool before it got out of hand. I gave them my last 3 jugs because I knew I wouldn't use mine before their 90 day date.

You know how many jugs of chlorine that left me with? None. None jugs. My pool has plenty of FC every day and I don't have to go to the store or scramble around calling or ride a ferry to find more. (Well that last one is for your benefit, I live in Oklahoma now and miss Seattle every day of summer... and winter...)

C'mon in, Whidbey... The (salt) water's fine.

And yes. Cal-Hypo is a complete hassle no matter how it's dosed into the pool.
 
TexEdmond said:
(Well that last one is for your benefit, I live in Oklahoma now and miss Seattle every day of summer... and winter...)
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Hi
is true, chlorine yesterday, chlorine today, chlorine tomorrow is a pain and
not sure how many pairs of pants I have ruined with chlorine but...

is only true for June July Aug
Sep Oct Nov is one jug every 3 days, Dec Jan Feb is one jug every 7-10 days, and Mar Apr May back to every 3 days

so the climate is sort of a seasonal SWG:)
 

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