Hi,
using Leslie test strips, i typically get CYA values of 100-150ppm - the strips are hard to read and the, color change isn't consistent, and i need a better CYA test.., but i think it's safe to say i have a level over 100ppm
I know that to lower CYA i have to partially drain the pool
But, I don't want to do that now. The reason is that i don't have a pool heater, and my pool is currently at 80-82deg F, which my family likes. If i pump out, say 1/2 to 2/3 of the water and replace it, the pool will be cold. I have only 2 or 3 weeks before my kids head off to college, and would like them to be able to use pool til then.
Hence my title - Operating a high CYA pool - I have read that it's possible to do it, but i have some general questions.., and then some more questions about my pool specifically.
1) Will shocking still do anything beneficial? I have read that High CYA pools need to be shocked at higher FC levels - over 25ppm for my CYA. Will shocking at over 25ppm help with the cloramine smell that i get.., or is there something about high CYA levels that just make shocking (at any FC) ineffective for chloramine? How about killing algae? will shocking - again at 25ppm or so - do anything, or, is there something about high CYA that makes shocking ineffective for this problem.
I plan to use liquid bleach to shock
2) if I have high CYA, and I shock to 25ppm.., does the high CYA mean that my FC levels will take forever (days or more) to come down to " normal" levels? I have read that normal for my pool would be FC = 5 to 8ppm.
now, turning to my pool.., first the numbers:
FC - typically 2 to 3
TC - typically 2.5 to 3
CC - typically 0 to 0.5
CYA - 100-150ppm
pH - 7.2 to 7.4
Alk - typically 150ppm
Problems: cloudy water, chloramine (or so i have been told) smell, continual algae growth on walls
my pool gets relatively little use - hardly ever any little kids.., mostly adults and college girls who don't spend much time actually in the pool
from everything i have read.., i should have a higher FC - 5 to 8ppm.., is that correct?
if i shock to 25ppm, and then maintain 5 to 8 ppm, does that have a chance of controlling algae?
should i just bite the bullet and replace the water now.., or can i wait til the end of the season, or the beginning of the next season?
thanks for any help.
jgf
using Leslie test strips, i typically get CYA values of 100-150ppm - the strips are hard to read and the, color change isn't consistent, and i need a better CYA test.., but i think it's safe to say i have a level over 100ppm
I know that to lower CYA i have to partially drain the pool
But, I don't want to do that now. The reason is that i don't have a pool heater, and my pool is currently at 80-82deg F, which my family likes. If i pump out, say 1/2 to 2/3 of the water and replace it, the pool will be cold. I have only 2 or 3 weeks before my kids head off to college, and would like them to be able to use pool til then.
Hence my title - Operating a high CYA pool - I have read that it's possible to do it, but i have some general questions.., and then some more questions about my pool specifically.
1) Will shocking still do anything beneficial? I have read that High CYA pools need to be shocked at higher FC levels - over 25ppm for my CYA. Will shocking at over 25ppm help with the cloramine smell that i get.., or is there something about high CYA levels that just make shocking (at any FC) ineffective for chloramine? How about killing algae? will shocking - again at 25ppm or so - do anything, or, is there something about high CYA that makes shocking ineffective for this problem.
I plan to use liquid bleach to shock
2) if I have high CYA, and I shock to 25ppm.., does the high CYA mean that my FC levels will take forever (days or more) to come down to " normal" levels? I have read that normal for my pool would be FC = 5 to 8ppm.
now, turning to my pool.., first the numbers:
FC - typically 2 to 3
TC - typically 2.5 to 3
CC - typically 0 to 0.5
CYA - 100-150ppm
pH - 7.2 to 7.4
Alk - typically 150ppm
Problems: cloudy water, chloramine (or so i have been told) smell, continual algae growth on walls
my pool gets relatively little use - hardly ever any little kids.., mostly adults and college girls who don't spend much time actually in the pool
from everything i have read.., i should have a higher FC - 5 to 8ppm.., is that correct?
if i shock to 25ppm, and then maintain 5 to 8 ppm, does that have a chance of controlling algae?
should i just bite the bullet and replace the water now.., or can i wait til the end of the season, or the beginning of the next season?
thanks for any help.
jgf