Chemical parameters

scottspool24 · Jul 12, 2023

Hi everyone, I’ve been trying to find the answer to a question I’ve had for a very long time now. Hopefully someone can answer it for me. I have a San Juan fiberglass pool with a SWG and have been following their chemical recommendations for years. The problem is when I have an issue and have to go to a pool store or research the issue online. The pool store says to use South Carolina DHECS parameters and not San Juan’s. I go online to trouble free pools and the numbers are so different than the other two, I don’t know which one to follow and if I do follow the numbers on this site why are they so different from the pool manufacturers?

San Juan Trouble free pool
Fcl: 1-3. Fcl: 4-6
PH: 7.2-7.6. PH: 7.2-8.0
Alk: 125-150. Alk: 50-90
CH: 175-225. CH: 220-320
CYA: 30-40. CYA: 60-90

Which one should I follow, and please explain why so I can understand. Thank you!

PoolStored · Jul 12, 2023

Welcome to TFP!!! :paddle:

We maintain FC, depending on CYA levels. CYA, for SWCG of 60-90, lowers the demand on the SWCG cells, making them last longer.

Shallow end:
FC/CYA Levels

Deep End:

Pool Water Chemistry

This thread presents my findings so far on pool water chemistry including the following: More Accurate Calcite Saturation Index (CSI) to replace Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) Calculation of ppm HOCl (disinfecting chlorine) at various levels of Total Free Chlorine (FC) and Cyanuric Acid (CYA)...

www.troublefreepool.com

Any pH in the 7s is just fine.

We run TA lower, because we don't recommend pucks. Typyical recommendations for TA are based on using pucks for sanitization. Having a higher TA counteracts the acidic effects of pucks. (higher TA = faster pH rise)

PH TA Relationship - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

CH is dependent on pool type. Vinyl liners and fiberglass pools don't need CH, unless you have a heater, then 200ppm or so protects the heater. CH is critical in a plaster pool.

Calcium Hardness - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

duraleigh · Jul 12, 2023

The numbers we publish are based on thousands and thousands of pool owner real world finding.......nothing else.

Why other resources often use different values is not something we understand.

Our numbers work. This system works. There is no agenda here at TFP to teach you something that is incorrect or false.

Our advice is only a suggestion and you should disregard it if you don't think it will help you. If you choose other resources to manage your pool, that's fine

scottspool24 · Jul 12, 2023

PoolStored said:
Welcome to TFP!!!

We maintain FC, depending on CYA levels. CYA, for SWCG of 60-90, lowers the demand on the SWCG cells, making them last longer.

Shallow end:
FC/CYA Levels

Deep End:

Pool Water Chemistry

This thread presents my findings so far on pool water chemistry including the following: More Accurate Calcite Saturation Index (CSI) to replace Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) Calculation of ppm HOCl (disinfecting chlorine) at various levels of Total Free Chlorine (FC) and Cyanuric Acid (CYA)...

www.troublefreepool.com

Any pH in the 7s is just fine.

We run TA lower, because we don't recommend pucks. Typyical recommendations for TA are based on using pucks for sanitization. Having a higher TA counteracts the acidic effects of pucks. (higher TA = faster pH rise)

PH TA Relationship - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

CH is dependent on pool type. Vinyl liners and fiberglass pools don't need CH, unless you have a heater, then 200ppm or so protects the heater. CH is critical in a plaster pool.

Calcium Hardness - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thank you

Getitrite · Jul 12, 2023

I found Trouble Free Pool 5 years ago. First year was "I hate the pool, may as well try this." Second year was "How could I have followed pool store testing and treatment all these years?" Third year was "Wife told me to get the robot years ago!" Last year was "Going away for a few days? Hey, the RJ60+ can handle it!" This year is "The pool talks to me! It's Happy, and it knows it!" The pool and my own test results tell me which numbers to follow... YMMV :wink: