Las Vegas Pool

[Ordinary_Lady]

Hello,

My first time posting on this thread.

I have an odd shaped pool and I totally suck at math, but every pool related person thats come through has said my pool is between 14,000 and 15,000 gallons. So, typically when using PoolMath...I dial it in at 14,000.

I have a plaster pool.

I use the HDX Chlorinating Liquid.

I have the Taylor K-2006.

I live in Vegas and today the high for tempature was 112. My pool gets direct sunlight usually from about 7am to 5pm.

Last year, I was told that my CYA was extremely high and thus drained my entire pool. So, this year...I was afraid of adding any CYA to the pool, but quickly realized that dumping 2 gallons of the liquid chlorine would completely evaporate within hours under this Vegas sun. So, on Wednesday I added 1 gallon of Leslie Pool's Instant Conditioner. I tested for CYA 24 hours later and could still see the dot after doing "just a glance" at the 30 level. So, I added another gallon of Leslie Pool's Instant Conditioner on Thursday. I tested the CYA today and the dot finally disappears at the 30 level.

I took an FC reading last night and it came in at 5.8. I took an FC reading this morning at 7:00am and it came in at 3.8. I took an FC reading this evening at about 5pm and it came in at 2.4. Thats an FC loss of less than 2ppm, which for me is amazing.

Question #1: Should I just leave the CYA alone for now and chalk up the low reading of 30 as "black dot blindness"?

TA: 250 (shxt!)
pH: 8.0
Calcium Hardness: 375

I guess my concern is the super high TA and pH. I dumped in a gallon of the HDX Swimminig Pool Muriatic Acid this morning at about 7am.

Question #2: Should I wait until 7am tomorrow morning and test the TA and pH again to see if the Muriatic Acid brought it down at all?

Question #3: Should I add another gallon of Muriatic Acid? If so, when? How long should I wait to test the water after adding this second gallon?

Question #4: Is it possible that the Vegas heat may be affecting my TA and pH? Should I just leave the TA and pH alone?

Question #5: Is my Calcium Hardness too low? I know the TFP Ideal Pool Levels show that my Calcium Hardness should be between 350 and 550, but at 375...I'm thinkin maybe it's too low? Would raising the Calcium Hardness affect the TA and pH? Will it make it go up or down?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Texas Splash]

the high for tempature was 112

But it's a dry heat. Ha. I grew up there so believe me I know. Let's get to your questions:
- TA is the least of your worries. Each time the pH hits 8.0, use enough muriatic acid to lower the pH down to about 7.2. Each time you do that it will pull the TA down a little. It will take time, so be patient. It's all about the source water not heat. Focus on the pH. It's more important.
- Your CH is fine
- FC concerns me as it's dropped quite low. In fact, in the Vegas Valley I would think a CYA of 50 would be better protection, but don't increase it yet. Above you indicated you lost 2 ppm of FC overnight. That's a sign of algae. If so, a SLAM Process may be next. But let's make sure you did the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test correctly. Do one more if you have to. If you have any questions about anything let us know.

 

[Ordinary_Lady]

- FC concerns me as it's dropped quite low. In fact, in the Vegas Valley I would think a CYA of 50 would be better protection, but don't increase it yet. Above you indicated you lost 2 ppm of FC overnight. That's a sign of algae. If so, a SLAM Process may be next. But let's make sure you did the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test correctly. Do one more if you have to. If you have any questions about anything let us know.

Thank you for the quick response, Texas.

There doesn't appear to be any visible indications of algae, but a 2ppm FC overnight loss is considered a lot? I just added 2 gallons of Liquid Chlorine about an hour ago. Is that enough time to test the FC again?

I've been running my pump 24/7 since I've been adding chemicals, not sure if this makes a difference in regard to how soon after adding the FC, I can test again.

Also, I added 2 gallons of liquid chlorine Thursday evening, but did not add any at all last night (Friday). I was actually floored when I tested this evening and found it was at 2.4ppm from 3.8ppm this morning.

 

[Texas Splash]

but a 2ppm FC overnight loss is considered a lot?

I'm afraid it is, for nighttime anyways. You can have a heavy load of organics in the water and never really know it visually. But it's good you added more chlorine. I would ensure the FC is at anywhere between 5-8 ppm this evening if it were me before doing one more OCLT just to be sure. If you fail, then it's best you go right into a SLAM Process.

The PoolMath APP is your friend. Try to use it as much as you can to get used to it and the section called "Effects of Adding".

 

[Wire4money]

I too live in Vegas and battle ph and ta. The water here is alkaline. Just keep knocking it down.