Hello all. I need some help/advice about the the BBB method.
First a little history. I recently moved to Hawaii and rented a house with a pool. I hired a pool service for $150/month. Within a 4 month period I had two major algae blooms. Pool guy was trying to convince me the problem was with the equipment (solar heater, etc....). I took a pool water sample to a local pool store and had it tested. Discovered that my chemistry was out of wack. Go figure! Suggested to pool guy he shock pool and restore pH and alkalinity to recommended levels. He charged me a fortune for the extra chemicals to get it back in balance. For the $150, he was dropping two Trichlor pucks per week and brushing down the walls. Didn't even have to vacume since I have a Polaris robot doing that. Needless to say I let him go.
Now, I recently took over the pool and decided to go with BBB method. Pool looks great but still have some concerns and questions.
I have a 14,500 gallon pool with 100% tile. Currently my pH is at 7.2, Alkalinity is 90, Cyan is 110+. The shock performed in late Nov seems to have eliminated the algae problem for now. I'm using 2-3 oz of NoMor Problems algae preventer weekly, backwashing with my sand filter weekly, and running the pool pump 10 hrs per day. So far so good.
My problem is I'm having a major problem keeping my chlorine levels up. I started by adding 2 cups of 6% bleach, raised that to 4 cups a day and now 6 cups daily. I'm trying to achieve a chlorine level of 3-4 since my Cyn levels are so high. My assumption was that the chlorine levels would maintain since I have so much stabilizer but I haven't been able to get it over 2ppm yet. Furthermore, I seem to lose chlorine faster than I can add it. When I decided to start using bleach, it was due to desire NOT to add any more Cyn to the pool. Trying not to drain with intent to bring Cyn levels down slowly through weekly backwash and normal draining due to high amounts of rain recently. Unless I have further problems with algae blooms, I'm hoping not to have to do a major drain (50% of pool) and refill.
My question: Is it normal to have to add 6 or more cups of Chlorox daily? Shouln't my chlorine hang around awhile with so much stabilizer already in the pool? What is the "normal" amount and frequency expected to add chlorine bleach in order to maintain a 3-4 ppm level?
Look forward to hearing your reply and advice!
Jeff
First a little history. I recently moved to Hawaii and rented a house with a pool. I hired a pool service for $150/month. Within a 4 month period I had two major algae blooms. Pool guy was trying to convince me the problem was with the equipment (solar heater, etc....). I took a pool water sample to a local pool store and had it tested. Discovered that my chemistry was out of wack. Go figure! Suggested to pool guy he shock pool and restore pH and alkalinity to recommended levels. He charged me a fortune for the extra chemicals to get it back in balance. For the $150, he was dropping two Trichlor pucks per week and brushing down the walls. Didn't even have to vacume since I have a Polaris robot doing that. Needless to say I let him go.
Now, I recently took over the pool and decided to go with BBB method. Pool looks great but still have some concerns and questions.
I have a 14,500 gallon pool with 100% tile. Currently my pH is at 7.2, Alkalinity is 90, Cyan is 110+. The shock performed in late Nov seems to have eliminated the algae problem for now. I'm using 2-3 oz of NoMor Problems algae preventer weekly, backwashing with my sand filter weekly, and running the pool pump 10 hrs per day. So far so good.
My problem is I'm having a major problem keeping my chlorine levels up. I started by adding 2 cups of 6% bleach, raised that to 4 cups a day and now 6 cups daily. I'm trying to achieve a chlorine level of 3-4 since my Cyn levels are so high. My assumption was that the chlorine levels would maintain since I have so much stabilizer but I haven't been able to get it over 2ppm yet. Furthermore, I seem to lose chlorine faster than I can add it. When I decided to start using bleach, it was due to desire NOT to add any more Cyn to the pool. Trying not to drain with intent to bring Cyn levels down slowly through weekly backwash and normal draining due to high amounts of rain recently. Unless I have further problems with algae blooms, I'm hoping not to have to do a major drain (50% of pool) and refill.
My question: Is it normal to have to add 6 or more cups of Chlorox daily? Shouln't my chlorine hang around awhile with so much stabilizer already in the pool? What is the "normal" amount and frequency expected to add chlorine bleach in order to maintain a 3-4 ppm level?
Look forward to hearing your reply and advice!
Jeff