I'm not exactly sure how to ask what I'm thinking, but I'll do my best. I struggle with keeping my levels of chlorine in line with where they should be. Mainly just the season of life I'm in (super busy mom), and also because I don't have the best habits with the pool. I've been a member of TFP for a LONG time so I know the ins and outs, but one thing I've never quite figured out (we've always used pucks, even on TFP) is how to JUST use bleach. Is there a way I can do it without having to do it DAILY? For example, Monday, bring levels to the higher end of the range for my CYA, which may buy me a couple of days (obviously I need to play around with the numbers to see what works), then again Wednesday do the same, etc? Or do you all really actually get out there every day and add bleach? Do you try to get your range on the higher end so it's not daily? My CYA is 40 right now if that is needed. Pool is crystal clear after over a week of SLAMing. I'm going to have the kids help keep me accountable by teaching them how to test FC and pH. But I'm just looking for advice on how to make this a little easier.
Bleach routine
- Thread starter DanaSC
- Start date
Once people figure out their pools needs, many double dose and skip the in-between day. You lose a little extra chlorine as the higher FC burns off faster, but it's a fair trade off for many people.
But. You need to be in tune with how your pool has been responding lately with the daily loss during that portion of the season. Ironically, paying close attention to your pool gives you the knowledge to use to have more freedom. It's kinda funny like that.
But. You need to be in tune with how your pool has been responding lately with the daily loss during that portion of the season. Ironically, paying close attention to your pool gives you the knowledge to use to have more freedom. It's kinda funny like that.
- May 11, 2021
- 973
- Pool Size
- 7000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-30
Since @Newdude was faster than me I will just point out he didn't mention the use of a SWG to avoid dosing LC during swim season (you would still need LC for opening and closing).
+1. I have said SWG myself. I would fight dirty if someone came to take it away.
Thank you!! I think I need to spend some quality time with my pool over the next week and maybe test daily to see what the loss is like at different FC levels. I do wish we had a SWG... Maybe someday! I think I even read they can be self-installed. I plan to look over the forum for that info to see if that's something we could do to save on the cost of changing over.
Yes I really reaaaally want to consider changing over for this very reason!!
Just remember sunny days and cloudy ones react differently with the pool as bather loads do too so you'd need to be extra vigilant with the FC consumption. As the summer progresses the sun angle changes too and can have an adverse effect there also so basically it's not a one size fits all for the whole season.
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- May 11, 2021
- 973
- Pool Size
- 7000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-30
Also, using a non-mesh cover will reduce significantly the chlorine usage.
One thing that helped a lot before the SWG was to time how long would take to fill my measuring bucket (using a LC jug filled with water) and after some practice transfer that to timing rather then measuring the LC to add… I had my FC always a little higher than target so the LC did not have to be precise… I would just count about 5 Mississippis with the jug at around 45 degrees…
Edit: based on the size of your pool you are likely using 2/3 gal of 10% LC per day…
One thing that helped a lot before the SWG was to time how long would take to fill my measuring bucket (using a LC jug filled with water) and after some practice transfer that to timing rather then measuring the LC to add… I had my FC always a little higher than target so the LC did not have to be precise… I would just count about 5 Mississippis with the jug at around 45 degrees…
Edit: based on the size of your pool you are likely using 2/3 gal of 10% LC per day…
Thank you all! I started "getting to know my pool" today. I'm going to test more frequently and try to get to know how much FC I lose on average (give or take weather/sun/bathers, etc) and see if I can just find a rhythm. I think that's what I'm really trying to find anyhow. A good protocol for keeping that algae at bay.
I am a LC user. I try to dose daily as that provides more consistent results. I used to test daily but now every 2-3 days. Currently down in Texas where it has not rained for weeks, I am adding 1/2 gal of 10% LC daily. When we visit grandchildren, about 3 hrs away, for long weekends, I dose extra LC and then add several trichlor pucks to a floater. It works well for me. If I am gone for a week or more - I have a neighbor that will come over and add 2 gals of LC every 3-4 days along with checking the skimmer baskets (not much in summer months). I manage to keep my CYA in the 40-60 range (it increases due the pucks), but if I see a good rain storm coming, I will drain 6-12 inches and let it fill back up which keeps the CYA manageable.
A SWCG is in my future - just have not done it yet for a variety of reasons but its on the list.
A SWCG is in my future - just have not done it yet for a variety of reasons but its on the list.
- Jun 8, 2019
- 4,574
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I typically am fine with a gallon every other day, but sometimes it takes a gallon a day when the sun is hot on the pool.
When I put my solar cover on, that goes down to a gallon every 3-4 days.
When I put my solar cover on, that goes down to a gallon every 3-4 days.
As stated, the more you pay attention to your pool and learn it, the less time you have to spend on it. I was able to get to the point I'd add about every other day, and test FC about twice a week. I think on average I'd try to test FC about every other time I added chlorine, once I got to the point where the FC test showed it was where I expected it to be every time I tested it. When I tested and then added chlorine, I'd use the high value in the recommended range in PoolMath. So if my CYA was 50, Poolmath says 4-8 ppm FC. I'd change my "target" value in Poolmath to 8 and add the recommended amount of liquid chlorine to bring it to 8. I adjusted my liquid chlorine additions such that it would NEVER drop below 4 before the next chlorine addition. As @Newdude mentioned, you can add even more than this. Anything up to the SLAM level is perfectly safe to swim in, and gives you more time between additions, at the cost of slightly higher FC losses.
Trying to make some sort of routine helped me. For example, I'd get up, and before leaving to work I'd let the dog out, walk outside with him, and check the pool. Check skimmer basket, check if filter needed backwashing, skim a couple leaves off if needed. Do tests as needed, add chemicals. Then leave for work. Typically this was 5 minutes a day, maybe 10 if I needed to skim, backwash, test, and add chemicals all on the same day.
Do you have a SpeedStir? I cannot recommend it enough if not. At the time I was using a syringe with 10 mL marks to fill my sample. That was pre-filled and I had the caps off the reagent bottles, but other than that here's me doing a full FC/CC test on my hot tub, one handed, in just 42 seconds.
Later I bought a SampleSizer. Assuming you do your tests where you don't care if you spill water, it's amazing. I usually test at the pool itself. Rinse tube and samplesizer off in the pool. Fill SpeedStir tube, just dunk and fill it all the way. Slide the SampleSizer in till it hits the bottle, pull it out, and you've got a perfectly sized sample ready for testing in just seconds. I could literally take my TF-100 Pro bag to the pool, set it down, and have a completed FC/CC test DONE in under a minute and a half, tops, from the time the bag set down to the time the test was finished. Give me three minutes after arriving at the pool and I'd have a FC/CC & pH test done, logged in Poolmath, containers rinsed, and TF-100 bag zipped back up with everything inside. Add another minute if I wanted to throw in a TA test too.
Trying to make some sort of routine helped me. For example, I'd get up, and before leaving to work I'd let the dog out, walk outside with him, and check the pool. Check skimmer basket, check if filter needed backwashing, skim a couple leaves off if needed. Do tests as needed, add chemicals. Then leave for work. Typically this was 5 minutes a day, maybe 10 if I needed to skim, backwash, test, and add chemicals all on the same day.
Do you have a SpeedStir? I cannot recommend it enough if not. At the time I was using a syringe with 10 mL marks to fill my sample. That was pre-filled and I had the caps off the reagent bottles, but other than that here's me doing a full FC/CC test on my hot tub, one handed, in just 42 seconds.
Later I bought a SampleSizer. Assuming you do your tests where you don't care if you spill water, it's amazing. I usually test at the pool itself. Rinse tube and samplesizer off in the pool. Fill SpeedStir tube, just dunk and fill it all the way. Slide the SampleSizer in till it hits the bottle, pull it out, and you've got a perfectly sized sample ready for testing in just seconds. I could literally take my TF-100 Pro bag to the pool, set it down, and have a completed FC/CC test DONE in under a minute and a half, tops, from the time the bag set down to the time the test was finished. Give me three minutes after arriving at the pool and I'd have a FC/CC & pH test done, logged in Poolmath, containers rinsed, and TF-100 bag zipped back up with everything inside. Add another minute if I wanted to throw in a TA test too.
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I've never heard of that sample sizer tool! Very intriguing!! I did use to have the speed stir but when it died after many years, I just opted not to replace it and honestly, I haven't really missed it all that much but likely because I hadn't been testing as often as I should...hmmm.
Question while I'm asking stuff: the other day I was at FC 3, added a jug of the bleach I use and it was brought up to 10.5. Today I was at 2 (getting on that right away!!) and I added a jug and it was brought up to 6.5. I find that interesting. We did get a good rain last night. Is that because there's just more "stuff" in the water using up some of the chlorine? I realize weather/sun/etc plays into it but I still thought it was intriguing.
Second question: the cya relationship to FC... Does that have something to do with why when you raise chlorine levels up higher than the range it dissipates faster, because the stabilizer can only stabilize so much? I'm just trying to get a handle on the reasons for things.
Question while I'm asking stuff: the other day I was at FC 3, added a jug of the bleach I use and it was brought up to 10.5. Today I was at 2 (getting on that right away!!) and I added a jug and it was brought up to 6.5. I find that interesting. We did get a good rain last night. Is that because there's just more "stuff" in the water using up some of the chlorine? I realize weather/sun/etc plays into it but I still thought it was intriguing.
Second question: the cya relationship to FC... Does that have something to do with why when you raise chlorine levels up higher than the range it dissipates faster, because the stabilizer can only stabilize so much? I'm just trying to get a handle on the reasons for things.
Toxophilite
Silver Supporter
For sure you can't know your actual FC consumption without a definite FC addition schedule. It would be best to start a daily routine of adding, preferably same time each day, and then see what you daily consumption is in relation to your CYA and conditions.
- Jun 8, 2019
- 4,574
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
When you say "The other day" how long ago was that? If it was yesterday then that's a lot of FC loss and points to something aside from sun eating the chlorine (unless your CYA is really low). If it's 2+ days then that's more in line with what to expect for FC drop from sun.
It was two days ago, so I'm guessing it's okay. My main question is really why did the jug only increase FC by 4.5 when two days ago it increased it 7.5. I'm guessing it has something to do with what's in the water? From the rain and debris that entered the water from yesterday's storm?
The age of your chlorine could also be a factor. Older chlorine may not be at the rated percentage so you do not get the same effect when using the same volume.
Also, you should be consistent in when you add or measure to accurately determine FC loss. Adding in the morning and then adding the following afternoon will result in a different FC level then if you add in the morning at the same time.
The higher the CYA the higher your FC needs to be to realize the same "active" chlorine level
Thank you! I normally run the pool during the warmest hours of the day yet those are the most challenging for me to test. I think I'll get some extra timer things so the pool will automatically come on in the morning and I can test at a good consistent time for my schedule but allow the pool to turn off again and come back on at its normal time.
Please update your signature to include the type of pump you have. Need to know if it is single speed or variable speed pump.
Please include mfg and model if you can find that as well for both the filter and pump.
Please include mfg and model if you can find that as well for both the filter and pump.
What worked for me was getting my numbers in order for CYA, PH, ALK. Testing twice a day for about 1 to 2 weeks and really figuring out how much chlorine you lose, on a sunny day, how much on a cloudy day, how much on a windy day, with debree getting in, ect. I lose an avg. of 3PPM per day, so at my CYA of 40PPM, I get my chlorine to around 9 or 10PPM so I don't have to add every day. I also don't have to test every day. Sometimes I will add 3 to 3.5PPM chlorine without testing first, since I know what my daily loss is, knowing that I will test it again in a day or so. It's all about learning and getting Intune with your pool and then you can ease up on testing every day and adding chlorine every day.