New member here. What I've read on this forum suggests a lot of smart people willing to help others and explain things.
The background on my issue is lengthy, but the bottom line is I can not get the DPD chlorine test to show any color. I've neglected the water chemistry this year due primarily to heavy work load, but the kids were adding tablets. Algae showed up a couple weeks ago and the missus was treating with Yellow Out, following the directions. However, even after shocking with hypochlorite, I can't get any chlorine to register...just ends up clear. The pH and alkalinity are a little low, and I've been adding pH Up to correct, but not there yet. Alkalinity is about 50 ppm. The pool did clear up after treatment and brushing. The local pool store said the chemistry looked good except for low chlorine: CYA, phosphates, calcium; they even said alkalinity and pH were within range.
I'm a DIYer and like to understand things, so I've been researching and found good information on TFPC. A possibility is that organics are consuming the chlorine, which makes sense considering the algae in the pool. So how much chlorine to get balanced again? I tried a "bucket test" described on TFPC: I put 3 gallons of water in a bucket and started adding Clorox Performance (8.3% sodium hypochlorite) two ounces at a time. Well, after 14oz, chlorine was still not registering and I abandoned. Later, I decided to check "total chlorine" using a R-3 (from an older test kit), and WHAM! deep burgundy!
I need to make good measurements to diagnose this - so I've ordered a TF-100 +XL kit based on TFPC info. But that won't get here until next week. I'll try to get measurements from the pool store when I can - got home too late tonight.
The algae has now come back, too. Yellow-green growing on the walls and floor.
I would like to start moving in the right direction, but I've got too many questions. Biggest question is why am I not getting any color in the chlorine test? Is it because the test chemicals are "bad" or are contaminants actually consuming the chlorine? If that is the case, then why no response with the bucket test?
Could my granular chlorine have lost its potency? It has been a round a few years and is rather compacted. It's stored in a big plastic chest with other chemicals, including muriatic acid.
Thanks for any guidance.
The background on my issue is lengthy, but the bottom line is I can not get the DPD chlorine test to show any color. I've neglected the water chemistry this year due primarily to heavy work load, but the kids were adding tablets. Algae showed up a couple weeks ago and the missus was treating with Yellow Out, following the directions. However, even after shocking with hypochlorite, I can't get any chlorine to register...just ends up clear. The pH and alkalinity are a little low, and I've been adding pH Up to correct, but not there yet. Alkalinity is about 50 ppm. The pool did clear up after treatment and brushing. The local pool store said the chemistry looked good except for low chlorine: CYA, phosphates, calcium; they even said alkalinity and pH were within range.
I'm a DIYer and like to understand things, so I've been researching and found good information on TFPC. A possibility is that organics are consuming the chlorine, which makes sense considering the algae in the pool. So how much chlorine to get balanced again? I tried a "bucket test" described on TFPC: I put 3 gallons of water in a bucket and started adding Clorox Performance (8.3% sodium hypochlorite) two ounces at a time. Well, after 14oz, chlorine was still not registering and I abandoned. Later, I decided to check "total chlorine" using a R-3 (from an older test kit), and WHAM! deep burgundy!
I need to make good measurements to diagnose this - so I've ordered a TF-100 +XL kit based on TFPC info. But that won't get here until next week. I'll try to get measurements from the pool store when I can - got home too late tonight.
The algae has now come back, too. Yellow-green growing on the walls and floor.
I would like to start moving in the right direction, but I've got too many questions. Biggest question is why am I not getting any color in the chlorine test? Is it because the test chemicals are "bad" or are contaminants actually consuming the chlorine? If that is the case, then why no response with the bucket test?
Could my granular chlorine have lost its potency? It has been a round a few years and is rather compacted. It's stored in a big plastic chest with other chemicals, including muriatic acid.
Thanks for any guidance.
