I've read through the TFP resources and have kept my chlorine at the 7-9ppm range based on a CYA of 60. I'm new to this so just need some reassurance. I'm used to the pool store telling me to keep it between 2-4ppm and if it would go higher they would tell me to keep the kiddos out of the pool. How high does chlorine need to be before it starts becoming harmful? I just want yo make sure the kiddos are safe with my 7-9ppm range. Thanks!
CYA and Chlorine, nervous about "high" chlorine
- Thread starter Versati1ity
- Start date
V,
Look at this chart... FC/CYA Levels
For the chlorine to be harmful at all, you have to be above the SLAM level..
Your 9 ppm is not even close.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Look at this chart... FC/CYA Levels
For the chlorine to be harmful at all, you have to be above the SLAM level..
Your 9 ppm is not even close.
Thanks,
Jim R.
SouthVirginiaPool
Silver Supporter
I have been given such bad information from the pool store at EVERY visit that I realized they do not truly understand pool chemistry as well as the experts here at TFP. So the bottom line - do I trust my kids health to undertrained hourly wage pool store workers, or do I trust my kids health to the experts here who have NEVER steered me wrong? I trust what TFP says is safe (I was also a chemistry major in college). I run my pool at 6-7 ppm and I cannot even tell there is chlorine in my pool. I do have a salt water generator so I could go as low as 4 ppm but I like having that safety factor. So now think about going to public pools (you trust them enough to bring your kids there correct?) - I remember my lungs aching, my eyes stinging and having to get out after only 1 hour or less. Which do you think is a safer environment for your kids - your pool at 7-9 ppm, or a public pool? Also stop going to pool stores unless you need something specific like a pool robot or net or pole.
Drinking water standards are 4 FC with no CYA. If you study the first graph in this thread you will see that the active chlorine there is much, much higher than your is. At 4 FC and no CYA, HOCL is roughly 2. Carried across to where it intersects the 50 CYA line, it aligns with roughly 40 FC. At 70 CYA, it would be closer to 50 FC. You're somewhere between at 60 CYA. Meaning: there is actualy less active chlorine attacking skin and swimsuits than what is allowed in tap water. To be sure, not all tap water is chlorinated that highly, but you can test yours and find it on the graph and see for yourself.
The truth of the matter is that pools following the FC/CYA Levels have way less active chlorine than what is traditionally considered "safe". The "1-4 ppm chlorine" recommendations were created with the assumption of zero CYA, so zero buffering.
To put it in perspective: 3 ppm of FC in a pool with no CYA and a pH of 7.5 is going to feel the same as (brace yourself) 50 ppm FC in your pool. Seriously.
Oh, and then there's the other direction. If you have a CYA of 60 and an FC of only 2 ppm the water would be on the cusp of unsanitary. Yet the pool store will say "all good!"
To put it in perspective: 3 ppm of FC in a pool with no CYA and a pH of 7.5 is going to feel the same as (brace yourself) 50 ppm FC in your pool. Seriously.
Oh, and then there's the other direction. If you have a CYA of 60 and an FC of only 2 ppm the water would be on the cusp of unsanitary. Yet the pool store will say "all good!"
PoolNewb2020
Well-known member
Typical corporate shenanigans. And it is at that level that the deceit comes from. You can't really blame pool store employees, as they only know what their training allows.
They will have people believe chlorine is harmful, but it's normal to have algae or a cloudy pool and you just need to shock it weekly. Then you have all sorts of other chemicals they recommend without any hesitation. Algaecides use metals or herbicides as active ingredients. These are definitely not healthy.
In short, don't be afraid of chlorine. It is actually the only thing keeping your water healthy to swim in.
They will have people believe chlorine is harmful, but it's normal to have algae or a cloudy pool and you just need to shock it weekly. Then you have all sorts of other chemicals they recommend without any hesitation. Algaecides use metals or herbicides as active ingredients. These are definitely not healthy.
In short, don't be afraid of chlorine. It is actually the only thing keeping your water healthy to swim in.
Wow thanks for all the great responses! I really appreciate you all sharing your knowledge. I'm going to test my drinking water out of curiosity now.
The pool I am currently SLAMming is around 20 FC, but it's fine because of the CYA. I can't smell even a hint of pool at the water, nor on my skin after sticking my arms in. I have other concerns about the water quality (in process of converting a swamp) but not slightly worried about the chlorine being too high.
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