Hayward Blue Essence - how to Read/too much Chlorine

[Brownpow121]

Hello. I have a Hayward Blue Essence SWG. I have the setting at 10%. But I am confused on what reading on the screen shows my actual chlorine level. When I get my water tested they show I am at 10ppm. The manual doesn’t seem to show how to read it. (You must hit the button to cycle through different numbers)

I need to get the chlorine level down. Turn it off a couple days? Drop it to 5%? The cool weather is here in Florida and sun isn’t as abundant. Thank you!!!!

 

[ajw22]

No SWG displays the actual chlorine level. You need to use a water test kit to determine the chlorine level.

10ppm may not be a high chlorine level depending on what your CYA level is.

See...

The Free Chlorine and Cyanuric Acid Relationship

Managing your cyanuric acid and Free Chlorine levels is key to stabilizing your pool. Learn how these two items affect each other.

www.troublefreepool.com

CYA Chlorine Relationship - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

A FC level up to SLAM Level for your CYA is safe to swim in.

The Blue Essence is a relabeled Aquarite SWG. The diagnostic information displayed is explained in Hayward Aquarite SWG - Further Reading

What is your CYA level?

I suggest you also review...

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Brownpow121]

My CYA level is 43

Calcium Hardiness 411

Salt 3300

I’ve been nailing down the other chemistry with my pool and Learning but the chlorine has been a stickler for me on what I need to possibly bring it down or up. Or again, needing to trust the pool store system. I have a test kit and will check in the AM as well

 

[ajw22]

With a CYA of 50 (we round up) a FC of 10 is fine.

Note that when FC gets over 10 the pH test can read high and be invalid. So don’t go making any adjustments to your pH right now.

We never trust pool store systems. We believe you must do your own testing using a reliable test kit.

What test kit do you have?

 

[Bperry]

My CYA level is 43

Calcium Hardiness 411

Salt 3300

I’ve been nailing down the other chemistry with my pool and Learning but the chlorine has been a stickler for me on what I need to possibly bring it down or up. Or again, needing to trust the pool store system. I have a test kit and will check in the AM as well

The pool stores aren’t very good as testing accurately. I took the same water sample to two different stores are got very different results with CYA. TFP is filled with similar experiences.

Get a TF-100 (tftestkits.net) or a Taylor K2006C (Amazon)

 

[Brownpow121]

Im Using a “ocean blue 195020-c” test kit.

Unfortunately I need to have the pool store test once a month for my warranty but will work on testing more on my own to compare.

My Ph is always on the high range and been adding about 12oz of muriatic acid every two weeks.

 

[proavia]

How old is your pool and pool finish?

Your test kit lacks a number of tests needed for managing your pool chemistry.

Ocean Blue

See Test Kits Compared
Get one of the recommended test kits and we can help you better manage your pool chemistry.
The TF-Pro Salt would serve you well.
Pool store results are inaccurate, unreliable and not repeatable.

Have a read thru the links Allen provided in post #2.

 

[Brownpow121]

My pool was finished in July.

Yes. Been reading through. I will order a better test kit. This is the one the pool installer provided.

I dialed down my SWG to near zero for a day or two and probably a week away from needing to add a bit of water as we have been super dry. I use perfect weekly from Leslie’s each week. Anytime I add water my phosphate levels bump up (again, that’s what the pool store system reports)

To see chlorine levels drop and be able to keep a normalized PH, I feel like it’s a chicken or the egg scenario. Or is it just time and weather. Sorry, just trying to learn here.

 

[ajw22]

What levels are you trying to maintain?

Ignore your phosphates. They don’t matter. Stop listening to the pool stores who want to sell you stuff.

What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?

Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.

www.troublefreepool.com

Leslies Perfect Weekly - good for anything??

So I moved into my house a few months ago and am suddenly a pool owner. First stop...Leslies Pool Supply!! $50 later I am carrying a tub of Leslies Perfect Weekly home. Fast forward a couple weeks I find I have high CYA, find this site and start to read. After a drain and refill the water...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Brownpow121]

Great. Confirms my suspicions.

I’ll start testing more with a better kit and be back with my numbers. I appreciate all of the help. This is a great spot for any pool owner.

I’ll still have to get the pool store test once a month but I’ll take it with a grain of salt. Pun intended

 

[Newdude]

but I’ll take it with a grain of salt.

Take it with the whole 40 lb bag. They. Exist. To. Sell. You. Ridiculously. Marked. Up. Generic. Chemicals.

Like baking soda disguised as TA up, for $10 a lb instead of $0.75.

If we tell you that you need something, we gain nothing from the sale so you can believe it.

 

[Brownpow121]

Hi all. Just a follow up here. Been testing my chlorine and PH on my own and then doing my mandatory test at the pool store to compare. Had to add some water to the pool a week ago and have my SWG at 5. Salt at 3200. Here are my recent figures from the pool store. Happy to hear any thoughts.

 

[proavia]

Did you order one of the recommended test kits yet? Test Kits Compared

We don't offer advice based on pool store test results.

 

[duraleigh]

As mentioned by others, TFP discourages the use of pool store testing. It is simply too inconsistent or just plain WRONG for you too manage your pool correctly

Please read Pool Care Basics Archives

 

[Mdragger88]

The only thing we can gather from that is that you have copper in your water. All the rest of the results are suspect.
Copper is not a good thing. The only way to actually reduce the copper level is to replace the copper laden water with copper free water & discontinue adding more copper to the water.
Sequestrants just “hide” it temporarily.
Do you know how you may have gotten the copper in your water?
Have you used pucks or algaecides? Anything with “blue” in the name?

Copper in Pool Water - Further Reading

www.google.com

I wouldn’t base any adjustments on the pool store tests.
Btw- your ta is likely fine. They use “adjusted ta” which means your actual ta is higher.

TA - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

If the cya is close to correct it is a bit low for a swcg pool in Florida but to be certain you need your own kit
Test Kits Compared

 

[Brownpow121]

Ordered a kit this week. I only shared the pool store test as I am required to get it done once a month to keep record for my warranty. I’ve used nothing but muriatic acid. Adding water to the pool is about the only way anything else got in the pool.

 

[Mdragger88]

When your kit comes run all the tests & post them up here in this thread.
Fc
Cc
Ph
Ta
Ch
Cya
Salt
Hopefully the copper result is wrong. Has it consistently been 0.3 or is that new?
Have you noticed any staining or green hair/fingernails?
You said in a previous post that you used Leslie’s perfect weekly. Any other pool store potions?

 

[Brownpow121]

No other potions. Kept it simple. The copper is new. No staining, etc. I can only imagine what is in my city water. It wants pretty when I first filled it. Attached pic of the pool.

Will test all of the above and report back.

 

[Brownpow121]

If the copper levels keep, how do you get them out? (Without asking the pool store)

Is there a chance that tree leaves can affect this? I have a bougainvillea tree that is now within the cage that has been dropping leaves picked up by the skimmer.

 

[Newdude]

If the copper levels keep, how do you get them out?

The only way to remove copper is water replacement with copper free water. The CUlaters and such don't work.

The good news is Leslie's copper test may be off by .3, when it says .3. Per them. So it's more or less useless.

Dip your finger in the pool, lick it and declare how much copper you taste. You'll probably be as accurate.

Is there a chance that tree leaves can affect this?

No. If you could get copper from trees/leaves, they wouldn't strip mine it.