chlorine going up?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
EmilyOTR

EmilyOTR

Bronze Supporter
Feb 15, 2017
764
Ferndale, MI
Pool Size
15000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Ok, I'm SLAMMING briefly as I think i'm good, doing OCLT tonight, but my last 2 tests my chlorine has gone UP and I haven't added any. My salt is 1000 so my SWG isn't working but just to confirm I shut it off. I have never had this happen but now I question my OCLT ability. I did the last 2 twice to make sure I wasn't messing up. at 4:20 I tested at 12.5, 6:40 14 and 8:20 16. Is this even possible? I only added chlorine once today. 2 gallons this afternoon to get it up to 12 for a SLAM.
 
PoolStored said:
Clean your test vial with rubbing alcohol. Test residuals can cause interference.
Hold the reagent vertical.
SLOOWLY squeeze the reagent, allow the drop to form and drop under its own weight. Take your time.

Water Testing Errors - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
Click to expand...
I guess I should have mentioned I did clean it with rubbing alcohol.
 
Do this:
  1. Wipe the tip of the reagent with wet paper towel before starting to use the reagent.
  2. Hold the reagent vertical.
  3. SLOOWLY squeeze the reagent, allow the drop to form and drop under its own weight. Take your time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EmilyOTR
PoolStored said:
Do this:
  1. Wipe the tip of the reagent with wet paper towel before starting to use the reagent.
  2. Hold the reagent vertical.
  3. SLOOWLY squeeze the reagent, allow the drop to form and drop under its own weight. Take your time.
Click to expand...
Ok did all this and my 10:30 test was back to 12.5. thank you, I feel a lot better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PoolStored
Squeezing fast to get the result fast is sometimes one's downfall.
Higher than expected results is almost always testing error (static, causing smaller drops, or squeezing too fast causing smaller drops), or reagents that have gone bad.
 
Last edited:
PoolStored said:
Squeezing fast to get the result fast is sometimes one's downfall.
Higher than expected results is almost always testing error (static, causing smaller drops, or squeezing too fast causing smaller drops), or reagents that have gone bad.
Click to expand...
@PoolStored Do you clean with rubbing alcohol regularly, or just when there's a problem in testing? Thanks!
 
toughhonor said:
@PoolStored Do you clean with rubbing alcohol regularly, or just when there's a problem in testing? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Ha Ha...yes, particularly after doing the salt test (ammonia is better for cleaning the salt test residue, but rubbing alcohol works). Other TFP Experts think I'm "Extra." :laughblue: :laughblue:
After doing my tests, I treat cleaning as another "test." Take a coffee filter (I buy a pack for a buck at the $ store), get it wet with alcohol and wipe our the vial and pill if you have speed stir. Put it away, it will dry. Coffee filters are great because they don't leave any fuzz, like a paper towel. (I *know*...Extra!) :laughblue: :laughblue:
 
Last edited:
  • Love
Reactions: Newdude
I'm still struggling. it got better, but I'm doing my 4th OCLT and I'm wondering if my water is fine I'm just bad at testing (even though I've done a fine job for 7 years??) Just now, my last test of the night I got 13, then 12.5, then 12. My 8:00 test was 12 so that is likely it, but how can I do my OCLT now? UGH. I'm so sick of testing. I bought a ton of liquid chlorine so I'm sure I'll pass tonight and not need it. but I don't know if I can trust my result. This morning's OCLT, I passed, but then it showed 1 CC. I tested again and I didn't pass, but had .5 CC. I don't know why this happening. I'm cleaning with alcohol after every test, I wipe the dropper, I hold the bottle verticle, I drop very slowly. My reagents I bought last year, but just opened.
 
Don't SWEAT it.
Do the OCLT test ONCE after sunset. That is your result. Don't do it again and again. Do the morning before sunrise. That is your result.
We have had 100s of thousands of members go through SLAM successfully.
The margin of error on the test is 1 drop in 10. For your FC of 13, that is 26 drops, or error of 1FC. That is why 1 FC is the standard for OCLT.

EmilyOTR said:
My reagents I bought last year, but just opened.
Click to expand...
Where were they stored?

You Got This Good Luck Today GIF by MOODMAN
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
PoolStored said:
Don't SWEAT it.
Do the OCLT test ONCE after sunset. That is your result. Don't do it again and again. Do the morning before sunrise. That is your result.
We have had 100s of thousands of members go through SLAM successfully.
The margin of error on the test is 1 drop in 10. For your FC of 13, that is 26 drops, or error of 1FC. That is why 1 FC is the standard for OCLT.


Where were they stored?

You Got This Good Luck Today GIF by MOODMAN
Click to expand...
but 13 is actually impossible so let's say I used 13, and in the morning I test at 11, maybe I passed?

reagents were stored in a desk drawer in my office.
 
Sunset in Ferndale today was 8:29. You need to test AFTER sundown and BEFORE sunrise for OCLT.
SLAM one more day.
Do the OCLT by the book.
Most reagents are good for a year, maybe two if in a dry, cool, dark location. Where did you buy it from? Amazon sucks because you never know the condition they are stored in, in the warehouse (hot). Tftestkits guarantees their reagents for 1 year from purchase.
Maybe you need new reagents.
I have a regular schedule. In March, Tftestkits.net has a sale on reagents. I buy new every year. A pool is expensive, the 50 bucks is a pittance vs. the issues/frustrations with testing and risk to the pool.
I use a speedstir ( Smart Stir Magnetic Stirring Device ), I get expected, consistent and accurate results. My brother who had a pool for 30 years and I did a test back to back FC test on same sample. Him swirl and me with speed stir. His results were 1 FC higher because the swirl did not swirl as good as speed stir.

I spend fewer than 30 minutes per week on chemistry maintenance. Have good technique (water testing errors), speedstir, and up to date reagents. Truly trouble free.

Don't forget the reason to believe...Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?
 
PoolStored said:
Sunset in Ferndale today was 8:29. You need to test AFTER sundown and BEFORE sunrise for OCLT.
SLAM one more day.
Do the OCLT by the book.
Most reagents are good for a year, maybe two if in a dry, cool, dark location. Where did you buy it from? Amazon sucks because you never know the condition they are stored in, in the warehouse (hot). Tftestkits guarantees their reagents for 1 year from purchase.
Maybe you need new reagents.
I have a regular schedule. In March, Tftestkits.net has a sale on reagents. I buy new every year. A pool is expensive, the 50 bucks is a pittance vs. the issues/frustrations with testing and risk to the pool.
I use a speedstir ( Smart Stir Magnetic Stirring Device ), I get expected, consistent and accurate results. My brother who had a pool for 30 years and I did a test back to back FC test on same sample. Him swirl and me with speed stir. His results were 1 FC higher because the swirl did not swirl as good as speed stir.

I spend fewer than 30 minutes per week on chemistry maintenance. Have good technique (water testing errors), speedstir, and up to date reagents. Truly trouble free.

Don't forget the reason to believe...Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?
Click to expand...
I did I tested at 10 pm. I use a speed stir. I only buy from tftestkits. Why is my 10 pm test no good? I understand testing and I also spend very little time on it. Unless I’m slamming. I’ve been testing every 2 hours for 4 days now. I’ve done every OCLT by the book. I test 10 pm or later and 6 am.
 
I'll have to think about this one. using 12.5 is impossible. I couldn't have more chlorine at 10 than 8 pm. the likely hood of me having 12 is good, 8 is pretty dark. If I use 12, I passed. but do I use my 3rd try? Even if it's the only likely answer? This morning I got 11 and 0 CC. But I know it’s better to be safe than sorry so I guess I’m in for 5 days of 6 am wake ups. I do have the chlorine. Ughhhh.
 
Last edited:
I always blame the AM test for both too little coffee and too much. At the same time. 😁

Just do your best to slow it down. There is no prize for being done in 19 seconds, only a fail. 95% of the time taking a deep breath and slowing it down fixes my pinky result.
 
so this morning, at 6 I got 11, and now at 8 I got 12.5. I did not add chlorine at 6. I guess it's my reagents? I honestly don't know what else it could be. they are like exactly 1 year old. I know I've used DPD stuff longer than this but nothing else makes sense.
 
For the price of the pool, vs. reagents, and your sanity, just order a new set of reagents.
When you get them, the first time you use them, wipe the tip with a wet paper towel before you test. They can get a static charge from shipping.
 
last test of the night 10:30 12.5. test before that at 8. nothing added. 12. My tests all day are normal and good. it's this last one at night that gives me an inflated number that's impossible somehow.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply