Chlorine keeps dropping

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beachcozy

0
Jan 22, 2017
63
Charlotte, NC
Pool Size
14000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Jandy Truclear / Ei
Update: OCLT showed no chlorine lost.



I can’t keep my FC up. I raised my CYA to 80 and it didn’t help. I have to constantly add liquid bleach. CCs is .5.

I run my pump for 9 hours a day and SWG at 50%. I usually run during the summer 8 hours a day at 30%. Salt level is 3,200. We replaced our salt cell last year. My pool is in full sun all day. Water is clear.

My plan is to do an OCLT test tonight. Or should I just assume I need to SLAM? According to the pool math, I will need about 4 gallons to raise it to slam level. Should I buy more than that? I’ve never had to slam before.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
PoolStored said:
What makes you think you need to SLAM? Do this test tonight...best indicator of needing to SLAM -->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test\

What is the make and model of your SWCG?

You can run your cell longer or at a higher % to make the FC you need.
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Because I have to manually add chlorine every day.

I have turned up the % and the pump running time. It’s not helping. Every summer I run it 8 hours a day at 30% and very rarely have to manually add chlorine. I up’ed it to 9 hours at 60% and I still have to add bleach.

I have a Jandy Truclear.
 
You are being wise to supplement your chlorine. Many would overlook it and wind up with an algae bloom.

The OCLT will provide evidence that you need to SLAM or evidence that you don't. As someone said, keep your pump running but add no other source of chlorine after you start the dose tonight. Let us know what you find.
 
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duraleigh said:
You are being wise to supplement your chlorine. Many would overlook it and wind up with an algae bloom.

The OCLT will provide evidence that you need to SLAM or evidence that you don't. As someone said, keep your pump running but add no other source of chlorine after you start the dose tonight. Let us know what you find.
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No chlorine was lost overnight. I’m not sure what to do now.
 
9 hours at 60% using a Truclear in a 14000 gallon pool is adding 1.8 ppm FC. Not nearly enough in a pool in your environment.

Target 4 ppm FC generation per day. That will take 12 hours of run time at 100%. See if your FC holds. Add 5 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine to start.
 
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So now you know the water quality is good and the fact the cell isn't producing is not a cause in effect of having algae therefore you now know the cell isn't working. Keep using LC until you resolve the SWCG problem.
 

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mknauss said:
9 hours at 60% using a Truclear in a 14000 gallon pool is adding 1.8 ppm FC. Not nearly enough in a pool in your environment.

Target 4 ppm FC generation per day. That will take 12 hours of run time at 100%. See if your FC holds. Add 5 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine to start.
Click to expand...
It’s so strange because I’ve never had this problem before. I always run it 8 hours a day at 30% with no problem.
 
beachcozy said:
It’s so strange because I’ve never had this problem before. I always run it 8 hours a day at 30% with no problem.
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You're not alone. This year I too have noticed my SWG struggling to maintain the desired FC level to the point I've had to add chlorine every few days. I've passed my OCLT and done a couple overnight SWG "gain" tests, but I was not satisfied with FC production overnight. I will do one more OCLT with fresh reagents before pushing the panic button on my cell. But even though you have experience with your pool's behavior, be sure to refer to the PoolMath APP's "Effects of Adding" as Marty noted above so you can be sure of the projected FC output.
 
I bet climactic conditions have been different this year. Less clouds? Less humidity? Both those let far more UV impact the water.
 
We just got home from a 7 day vacation. My chlorine is down to 4. It was to 6-7 before we left. My CYA was 80, now 70ish after some rain. I’m running the pump 12 hours a day and SWG at 80%. (I always run it 8 hours a day at 30% and never had a problem until now. The manual says 30% is appropriate for my size pool.) MY SWG is bubbling, does that mean it is definitely producing chlorine? I’m thinking about shocking the pool at this point. 12 hours at 80% seems crazy!
 
I did that and it passed, but continues to require so much run time and high %. We replaced the cell last year. It bubbles, does that mean its definitely making chlorine?
 
wireform said:
I'd recommend a OCLT with your cell off to see what if anything is in the water and causing the SWCG to look like it's under performing.
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I did that and it passed, but continues to require so much run time and high %. We replaced the cell last year. It bubbles, does that mean its definitely making chlorine?
 
beachcozy said:
(I always run it 8 hours a day at 30%
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That creates just 0.8 ppm FC per day in your pool. That would not be enough in a pool during swim season.

The 12 hours at 80% creates 3 ppm per day. That would be a normal to below normal FC usage during swim season.
 
Mknauss has told you what the problem is. He is using the specs for your salt water generator. That said, we are having a much warmer, sunnier, summer in the southeast than we did last year which could contribute to you runtime/% not being enough, or your swg could be failing. I replaced my IC40 last summer (there was no IC60 to be found), I find the new one has to run at 100% for 12 hours to make less chlorine than the old one did at 70% for 12 hours. I can't explain it but for the weather.
 
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