Yes. I have been using the pool math app to run the numbers. Haven't checked my fill water, though. I'll see that that shows. It's AZ so I know the hardness will be crazy.
Refill Inquiry
- Thread starter chanvsmith
- Start date
Free chlorine is not holding up. Just added nearly a gallon of 10% liquid to get my FC to about 4.5, as tested on Sunday. Today, it tested at 2.5. Our pool has quite a bit of shade and it's not that hot in AZ...yet. Is this normal attrition? CYA runs about 50 after refill. How often should I expect to add LC if I'm testing the water every day?
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,872
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
2FC is not unusual for a daily loss...can be 3-5, even without swimmers, or higher in the summer.
Most LC users add LC daily. Or dose much higher to not have to dose every day.
You can also raise your CYA to 60 or 70 to reduce daily FC demand.
In AZ, I'd get a SWG.
Most LC users add LC daily. Or dose much higher to not have to dose every day.
You can also raise your CYA to 60 or 70 to reduce daily FC demand.
In AZ, I'd get a SWG.
Might end up being cheaper! I can't imagine how much chlorine drop will increase with 180 days over 100 degrees and water temp at 95.
Add some more CYA to get to 60. That will help hold the CL. I put what I thought was 4 lbs in mine after my fill two weeks ago and then I found out they were 3.75lb canisters. PoolMath said I still needed at least 1 lb so now I will do 1 1/2 lbs to add again in my attempt to reach 60. My first test after the 3.5 lbs was a subjective 30 so I have a way to go. My PH is high 7s to 8, TA is 140 and I add 1/2 gallon of CL per day. This to keep about 5-7 FC in it with full sun from about 9-3. I test it every morning for now. It will be a while before I get it all balanced again.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,872
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Liquid chlorine is $6 / Gallon at Walmart = 7.1 FC in your pool, or = $0.84 per FC.
Circupool RJ-30 is ~$1300. ( CircuPool RJ-30 PLUS Saltwater Chlorinator | Discount Salt Pool)
Outputs 1.5lb / day = 13 FC / day in 14K pool.
Lifespan of 15,000hours = 625 days at 100%
625* = 8125 FC
$1300/8125= $0.16 per FC.
Even if the cell lasts only 7500 hours, it is still $0.32 per FC.
In your environment, I wouldn't try to maintain a liquid chlorine pool. Get the SWG.
Circupool RJ-30 is ~$1300. ( CircuPool RJ-30 PLUS Saltwater Chlorinator | Discount Salt Pool)
Outputs 1.5lb / day = 13 FC / day in 14K pool.
Lifespan of 15,000hours = 625 days at 100%
625* = 8125 FC
$1300/8125= $0.16 per FC.
Even if the cell lasts only 7500 hours, it is still $0.32 per FC.
In your environment, I wouldn't try to maintain a liquid chlorine pool. Get the SWG.
I added 4 lbs of CYA after refill a couple of weeks ago. Got it to 50. Isn't that on the high end? My PH was 8 so I added some MA to get it down to 7.2 or so. I'm guessing I just need to stock up on liquid chlorine for the time being.
60-90 is the range for saltwater pools. That's my goal. 30-60 is the range for chlorine pools. The CYA test is difficult so your reading might be off as I expect mine is. Try not to make large movements of PH. Aim for .4 adjustments.
clambert1273
Gold Supporter
- Jun 13, 2013
- 1,513
- Pool Size
- 12000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool Edge-40
I will say in AZ, I can't be below 80 cya without losing TONS of FC. Even now in April and I'm only at 40 and doing a SLAM, loss to the sun is dramatic during the day. By June I'll have it at 80.
Fill water TA tested at 150, same as the pool water. Guess there's not much to do about that. Hopefully TA will slowly fall over time, but evaporation won't help because the fill water is high, too. I'll just focus on FC and pH in the meantime.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,872
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
You want your CH to be at least 200 to protect your plaster.
If you have an autofill, might consider putting it on a water softener.
If you have an autofill, might consider putting it on a water softener.
Tested my CH and it seems to be about 300 -- sample turned from red to purplish. You recommended a min of 200 but pool math is saying I need to go to about 450, adding 19 pounds of calcium chloride. Is 300 okay or nah?
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,872
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
300 is just fine. Test your fill water for CH. CH will rise over time as you have evaporation in AZ. Better to start out low, it will rise as you replace water.
I think I need to give the OCLT a try. Lost 2 ppm FC since last evening, before the sun got to work. Is it possible that a pool just refilled would need to be slammed? Wouldn't seem so.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,872
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,872
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Once you "get it," Maintenance is minimal...some say Trouble Free...
Water goes funky quickly and there was likely some left in the plumbing / ladder rails / etc. And it was dang near 100 today. I woke up to 37 and dang near snowing. Lol.
Clear water slams go way easier than black swamps. They might still suck, but still alot less.
Snow and 37? Nah. That's why I don't miss Michigan. You can't even count on being frost free till Mother's Day. Of course, here in AZ we have a rather different set of issues.
Quick question about chemicals. I have been keeping my liquid chlorine and MA in the garage. I have seen some differing opinions on whether that's a good idea. I don't have a ton of it - maybe 3 or 4 jugs of each. The only "cool" place will be in the house but I don't like that idea.