Balancing the water

[Rayala]

Hi! After dealing with algae I ended up with an over chlorinated pool with FC of 39. It has been over a week and FC is still high at 22.5.
I tested my water today with the TF-100 and these are the results:
FC: 22.5
PH: 7.2
TA: 100
CH: 375
CYA: 50
According to the pool math calculator, I needed to lower the PH to reduce total alkalinity, so I have been adding muriatic acid.
alkalinity is still high.
what can I do to balance my water? I miss getting into my pool.
TIA,
Rosa

 

[Newdude]

If the water is clear you can swim at a FC of 20..... Slam level..... 40% of your CYA. PH is invalid with FC at 10+, although it usually reads high, but don't even bother until under 10.

Everything else is plenty fine for a CA vinyl pool.

There is nothing wrong with a 100 TA if the PH is relatively stable Usually, just keeping regular tabs on the PH will make the TA settle where it wants to be if you start 60-100. Everybody has to pick a range though so some like 60-80 and some like 80-110. They're all correct, let it ride.

 

[Rayala]

If the water is clear you can swim at a FC of 20..... Slam level..... 40% of your CYA. PH is invalid with FC at 10+, although it usually reads high, but don't even bother until under 10.

Everything else is plenty fine for a CA vinyl pool.

There is nothing wrong with a 100 TA if the PH is relatively stable Usually, just keeping regular tabs on the PH will make the TA settle where it wants to be if you start 60-100. Everybody has to pick a range though so some like 60-80 and some like 80-110. They're all correct, let it ride.

Thank you for your response. However, I’m new to pool ownership and I don’t understand some of the information. Fir example, what is slam level? Also, what do you mean by just keeping regular tabs?

 

[HermanTX]

Fir example, what is slam level?

I think that when you started out by saying "Hi! After dealing with algae I ended up with an over chlorinated pool with FC of 39. It has been over a week and FC is still high at 22.5. I tested my water today with the TF-100 and these are the results:
FC: 22.5" It was most likely assumed that you were conducting a SLAM. Please see this link SLAM Process. This goal is to raise your FC to a level that kills algae. At TFP, we base the SLAM level using this FC/CYA Levels. This chart shows that based on a given CYA level, that you need to increase your FC to a level that is equal to 40% of your CYA. So with a CYA of 50 you need to reach a FC level of 20ppm. You were well above that, therefore indicating that you were in a SLAM process. However, there are some other criteria to ensure that you have killed all the algae which is why it is recommended to read the SLAM Process

Also, it is safe to swim up to the level of SLAM so in your case - 20ppm. Currently you are above that so suggest you let the FC level drop below 20ppm before swimming. A couple of days in the sun will allow the UV to absorb some of the FC in your pool. That is based on your test result of 50ppm for CYA level.

Hope this helps provide some clarification to your situation and the interpretation of the recommendations.

 

[Newdude]

+1. You are learning and we are a super patient bunch that were once in your shoes. It’s overwhelming at first but truely is the simplest stuffs once it all clicks. Ask away at anytime and we will guide you.

 

[Rayala]

I think that when you started out by saying "Hi! After dealing with algae I ended up with an over chlorinated pool with FC of 39. It has been over a week and FC is still high at 22.5. I tested my water today with the TF-100 and these are the results:
FC: 22.5" It was most likely assumed that you were conducting a SLAM. Please see this link SLAM Process. This goal is to raise your FC to a level that kills algae. At TFP, we base the SLAM level using this FC/CYA Levels. This chart shows that based on a given CYA level, that you need to increase your FC to a level that is equal to 40% of your CYA. So with a CYA of 50 you need to reach a FC level of 20ppm. You were well above that, therefore indicating that you were in a SLAM process. However, there are some other criteria to ensure that you have killed all the algae which is why it is recommended to read the SLAM Process

Also, it is safe to swim up to the level of SLAM so in your case - 20ppm. Currently you are above that so suggest you let the FC level drop below 20ppm before swimming. A couple of days in the sun will allow the UV to absorb some of the FC in your pool. That is based on your test result of 50ppm for CYA level.

Hope this helps provide some clarification to your situation and the interpretation of the recommendations.

Thank you so much for the detailed information. I didn’t know there was so much to learn about pool water!!! I just wanted to get my little pool to swim daily after work, but now I have to study pool water after work!! Oh well
Thanks again.

 

[Rayala]

+1. You are learning and we are a super patient bunch that were once in your shoes. It’s overwhelming at first but truely is the simplest stuffs once it all clicks. Ask away at anytime and we will guide you.

Thank you!! I’m going to trust you that it will become easier because at the moment it is giving me stress. I’m so thankful I found this group.

 

[HermanTX]

Thank you so much for the detailed information. I didn’t know there was so much to learn about pool water!!! I just wanted to get my little pool to swim daily after work, but now I have to study pool water after work!! Oh well
Thanks again.

While there is a learning curve, you have plenty of support at this forum. Furthermore, once you get it going the TFP pool is quite low maintenance and you will enjoy that pool even more.

 

[Newdude]

I’m going to trust you that it will become easier because at the moment it is giving me stress.

I wrote an idiots guide (from personal experience). Slow it down. If you read just one line of the instructions at a time, it simply could not be easier. *add 5 drops*. That’s a step. It is not the least bit stressful or hard. At. All. But glance at the whole instruction card and it’s astrophysics. OMG WHAT DO I DO ????

So you are new to testing

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters…… It’s that time of year again with an influx of newbs either getting a late start or coming to us trying to undo what hasn’t been working. First of all, I’d like to welcome you all. You’re gonna love it here. We will...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[BowserB]

What is the source of your test results? Oops. Never mind. I see it. Don't know how to delete a message, though. TF100. Well done.

 

[Rayala]

I think that when you started out by saying "Hi! After dealing with algae I ended up with an over chlorinated pool with FC of 39. It has been over a week and FC is still high at 22.5. I tested my water today with the TF-100 and these are the results:
FC: 22.5" It was most likely assumed that you were conducting a SLAM. Please see this link SLAM Process. This goal is to raise your FC to a level that kills algae. At TFP, we base the SLAM level using this FC/CYA Levels. This chart shows that based on a given CYA level, that you need to increase your FC to a level that is equal to 40% of your CYA. So with a CYA of 50 you need to reach a FC level of 20ppm. You were well above that, therefore indicating that you were in a SLAM process. However, there are some other criteria to ensure that you have killed all the algae which is why it is recommended to read the SLAM Process

Also, it is safe to swim up to the level of SLAM so in your case - 20ppm. Currently you are above that so suggest you let the FC level drop below 20ppm before swimming. A couple of days in the sun will allow the UV to absorb some of the FC in your pool. That is based on your test result of 50ppm for CYA level.

Hope this helps provide some clarification to your situation and the interpretation of the recommendations.

Hi Herman, hope you are doing well. Would you please check my new test results if you have a chance? I think my FC is fine according to the CYA chart. My question is, the TA continues to be high. I don’t have a way to aerate my pool. Can I add something to lower the TA? Last, can I now cover my pool with the solar cover even though the chlorine is still a little high?
TIA

 

[Texas Splash]

Your FC is fine. As mentioned before, your TA of 100 is also fine. Even though the Poolmath APP may have recommended trying to lower it, there is no immediate need to do so. Muriatic acid lowers TA, and that will happen slowly over time as you control the pH. So unless your pH is shooting-up through the roof quickly every other day, I wouldn't worry about lowering the TA right now.

What does concern me is the CC of 1.0. Since it is over 0.5, it tells me your water is struggling to oxidize an heavy amount of combined chlorine. Sometimes that's a prelude to algae, other times it may just be the pool has been covered, or there was a lack of sunlight (UV) due to storms/clouds to oxidize the CCs. So keep an eye on that tomorrow.

 

[wireform]

Your numbers are perfect. Aeration isn't necessary as TA of 100 is ok and will come down when the PH goes high and is managed with MA. CYA is considered 40 when in-between 30 and 40. Watch the CC that it doesn't get more then what you have otherwise a sign of something in the water.
Texas beat me to it .