So my pool just started getting cloudy yesterday which I assume was an algae bloom since all my other levels seem to be in check. It was a surprise to me because I thought my CYA was around 35-40 and I haven't let the FC go below 3. That got me questioning my CYA levels again. Cue the super easily mis-interperted CYA black dot test. I read a little bit about the test and shook the solution for 30 seconds, let it sit for a couple of minutes and then did the test with my back to the sun. Does this sound like a good procedure? When I do this it seems as if the black dot disappears around the 50 mark on the vial. If I have the vial in the sunlight I can see the black do till around 35-40.
Anyway, comment on what you think about my CYA level above. Should I use the sunlight reading or back to the sun reading? Here are my other questions.
1. CYA is meant to protect Chlorine from the sun burning it up right? So if I had a CYA of 30 and kept my FC at 4 vs having a CYA of 50 and keeping FC at 6, I would actually use less chlorine with the latter option even though I have to maintain a higher level of FC, correct?
2. A FC level of 6 still seems really high to me. I am almost scared to maintain it so high! Maybe that is just from seeing all the crappy tests on the market recommending 1-4 all the time? I am brainwashed to think that amount of chlorine is absurdly high. My skin seemed to dry out already with maintaining a level of 4. Any words of comfort here?
Anyway, comment on what you think about my CYA level above. Should I use the sunlight reading or back to the sun reading? Here are my other questions.
1. CYA is meant to protect Chlorine from the sun burning it up right? So if I had a CYA of 30 and kept my FC at 4 vs having a CYA of 50 and keeping FC at 6, I would actually use less chlorine with the latter option even though I have to maintain a higher level of FC, correct?
2. A FC level of 6 still seems really high to me. I am almost scared to maintain it so high! Maybe that is just from seeing all the crappy tests on the market recommending 1-4 all the time? I am brainwashed to think that amount of chlorine is absurdly high. My skin seemed to dry out already with maintaining a level of 4. Any words of comfort here?