Pool Chlorine Level Keeps Dropping (Please help! Incurring astronomic costs in chemicals)

Another possible explanation for the loss of chemicals is overflow. If you are getting a lot of rain or are adding water enough to raise the water level up to the overflow drain, you are losing salt (and other chemicals) water and replacing it with plain (fresh) water. So look at the amount of treated water you’re losing via overflow.

Another notable point: With rain water the top of the pool water (the water that exits via overflow drainage) is the most dilute until it gets adequately circulated.
Yes it rained a lot, but we topped it back up with 100's of dollars of chemicals. Can one of you send me a link to a good salt test kit in the UK, I have someone coming here in about a week. Thanks
 
The only chemical he is "losing" is FC aka free chlorine. That is due to not adding enough chlorine to the pool on a daily basis. Once he starts adding liquid chlorine in the correct amount on a daily basis then things will start to straighten out. He HAS to find out the true level of his CYA so he knows how much chlorine he has to add to get and keep his pool clear. Once he gets a good test kit he will be able to turn the pool around.

Remember I have a salt water system, before these issues, I hardly ever had to throw chlorine inside the pool. Only now because it is off balanced, as there is an issue causing the chlorine level to drop (not be topped up by the SWG).
 
How many gallons of Bleach is that for a 15 - 20k pool? Doing that today. Thanks
You can use the poolmath “effects of adding to calculate” but It depends on how strong the bleach is. It’s about 1 gallon of 7% bleach. Just make sure it’s plain bleach without fabric softeners, perfumes, etc or you’ll have an other problems. It’s really hard to find plain bleach in the US anymore.

Liquid chlorine = bleach.
 
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No liquid chlorine, only bleach. I can get regular chlorine granules, and the strong one as well (is it hyper chlor).
Post pictures of the bleach bottle - show the entire front and rear label.

"Regular chlorine granules" are most probably dichlor and contains CYA.
"Hyper chlor" is most probalby cal-hypo - calcium hyprochlorite - and contains calcium.

See if your friend in the UK can locate a Taylor K-1766 salt test kit.
But if you are able to get a TF-Pro Salt, you won't need the additional salt test kit. You will need to procure the TF-Pro from the US.

A SWG is not able to keep up with demand if you have algae.
 
Remember I have a salt water system, before these issues, I hardly ever had to throw chlorine inside the pool. Only now because it is off balanced, as there is an issue causing the chlorine level to drop (not be topped up by the SWG).
Yes...we know. The issue is that over time, your CYA levels have gotten too high for your salt water system to keep up.

WHAT...IS...YOUR...CYA...NUMBER?????????
 
Yes...we know. The issue is that over time, your CYA levels have gotten too high for your salt water system to keep up.

WHAT...IS...YOUR...CYA...NUMBER?????????
As I stated in post #58, the OP doesn't have an accurate CYA number. Test strips only provide a rough range - if they were even close to accurate.
No need to type in all caps....

 
I can of course wait until someone comes down from the USA, if its better to get the TF Pro Salt...should I get any add ons with that?
The tfpro salt has everything you need. You could add the “slam” option which will add extra fc reagents. This will be helpful since sourcing them when you run out is not easy for you.
They generally ship to most locations in the US within a few days but that may be delayed a little by the upcoming holiday.
 
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For the Taylor K2006 series test kits, you would need the K2006C - the 'C' has the larger reagent bottles.
The TF-Pro Salt has more of the reagents the residential pool owner will use for testing. It includes the salt test reagent and the stirring device as well.

I wonder if you could have someone in the US get one and then ship it to you as a 'gift'.
TFTestkits can't ship outside the US as I recall. The TF-Pro Salt uses all Taylor reagents, so may be something with their distribution agreement with Taylor.
 
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Your pool sounds exactly like mine before I found Trouble Free Pool. My pool service fired me because they were spending the entire weekly fee on chlorine.

I followed the same instructions you have been given repeatedly and mostly ignored. Sorry to be so blunt. Mine was an old pool with old water and my CYA was off the charts.

The only solution for me was to drain the pool and add fresh, chemical-free water. It worked like magic. Crystal clear water every day since. I haven't purchased any chlorine since the day I installed my salt-water chlorinator. I have to add a little muriatic acid once in a while but that is it.

We are all rooting for you but you have to do the steps.
 
Your pool sounds exactly like mine before I found Trouble Free Pool. My pool service fired me because they were spending the entire weekly fee on chlorine.

I followed the same instructions you have been given repeatedly and mostly ignored. Sorry to be so blunt. Mine was an old pool with old water and my CYA was off the charts.

The only solution for me was to drain the pool and add fresh, chemical-free water. It worked like magic. Crystal clear water every day since. I haven't purchased any chlorine since the day I installed my salt-water chlorinator. I have to add a little muriatic acid once in a while but that is it.

We are all rooting for you but you have to do the steps.

Thanks a lot and this makes sense, although it rained a lot up to two weeks ago (during the time I already started having the issues). I am getting a new cell in a few days, I will try that. As soon as I have someone coming in from the States will get the TF pro salt and then we can dig deeper, if the cell does not solve the problem. You all will have to tell me how to do the tests. Appreciate your support!
 
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Doing the tests:

There also videos:
 
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Doing the tests:

There also videos:
Is there something specific to TF-Pro Salt, or does it work the same? Thanks
 
Straight from the TFTestkits website
1704159489043.png

For me, the stirring device is a must have. It makes the tests easier and more consistent.
If you were to buy the device separately, it's about $48.00
 
Straight from the TFTestkits website
View attachment 548098

For me, the stirring device is a must have. It makes the tests easier and more consistent.
If you were to buy the device separately, it's about $48.00
Ok I get it and that is included with the pro, thanks for letting me know that that extra device is important!
 
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The difference in price of the TF100 salt and TFpro salt is the nicer case and smart stir. You will absolutely want the smart stir either way.

But lemme tell you about the nicer case. Having had both I appreciated the organization of the TFpro *every last time* I used it. The TF100 was entirely functional and an even swap for supplies, but hunting and picking for that one bottle that always seemed to be hiding under something was frustrating. It didn't matter which test I was looking to do, the one I needed was winning peek-a-boo. :ROFLMAO:

Having the stirrer with its own slot in the case is real nice too. I test right from the case and never had to move 3 things out of the way so it fit going back. And at that point, I had NO problems finding bottles in the way. Then I'd move them so the smart stir fit, and then need to find homes for those bottles, which would haunt me next time.
 
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The difference in price of the TF100 salt and TFpro salt is the nicer case and smart stir. You will absolutely want the smart stir either way.

But lemme tell you about the nicer case. Having had both I appreciated the organization of the TFpro *every last time* I used it. The TF100 was entirely functional and an even swap for supplies, but hunting and picking for that one bottle that always seemed to be hiding under something was frustrating. It didn't matter which test I was looking to do, the one I needed was winning peek-a-boo. :ROFLMAO:

Having the stirrer with its own slot in the case is real nice too. I test right from the case and never had to move 3 things out of the way so it fit going back. And at that point, I had NO problems finding bottles in the way. Then I'd move them so the smart stir fit, and then need to find homes for those bottles, which would haunt me next time.
So you recommend the pro salt? Which source do you recommend ordering from? Thanks
 

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