Hello all,
I'm new to the forum (and to pools), and am eager to learn.
I've been having trouble keeping my chlorine level consistent.
Sometimes i'll get lucky and have it right at 3ppm or so for a while, but then it seems to catch me off guard by dropping to 0ppm. So i'll freak out and add chlorine tabs to the Hayward chlorinator, and the next day the pool is at 10ppm (or probably way above). Then there's not much to do but wait an unspecified number of days for the chlorine level to come back down. Often it drops back to 0ppm, and the cycle repeats.
i should point out that i'm still using test strips at this point. (so they don't show FC results over 10ppm or CYA at all)
Yes, i've been reading your many recommendations on getting FAS-DPD test kits, but i feel like i'm still so inept at basic pool care, i'm not ready for an investment in such a complex testing kit yet. It would be wasted on me.
If it matters, according to the strips i'm currently:
FCL 10ppm
TCL 10ppm
Alk 120ppm
pH 7.8
TH 250ppm
My main question today is how to use the Hayward chlorinator.
I think my biggest hurdle comes less from chemistry and more from the fact that i can't figure out how to use the thing properly. i'm puzzled by juggling how many tabs to put in the thing versus where to set the knob (flow control).
So, how do i go about finding that sweet spot where the knob goes?
i thought about waiting for the FC to drop to 0ppm, and then fill the Hayward to the brim, and turn the knob to the lowest setting - then check FC levels the next day. If tomorrow's FC is still at 0ppm, turn the knob up slightly, and check the following day. (repeat)
What messes with my head is that since the process is so slow, i don't know what i'm doing to the pool for at least 24 hours, right?
Also, while i'm waiting for the Hayward to calmly bring the pool to the proper 3ppm level, i could theoretically go several days with the FC at 0ppm, which is a bad idea, yes?
Any advice is appreciated, no matter how simplistic or obvious it may seem to you guys!
i'm definitely out of my element. Thanks!
I'm new to the forum (and to pools), and am eager to learn.
I've been having trouble keeping my chlorine level consistent.
Sometimes i'll get lucky and have it right at 3ppm or so for a while, but then it seems to catch me off guard by dropping to 0ppm. So i'll freak out and add chlorine tabs to the Hayward chlorinator, and the next day the pool is at 10ppm (or probably way above). Then there's not much to do but wait an unspecified number of days for the chlorine level to come back down. Often it drops back to 0ppm, and the cycle repeats.
i should point out that i'm still using test strips at this point. (so they don't show FC results over 10ppm or CYA at all)
Yes, i've been reading your many recommendations on getting FAS-DPD test kits, but i feel like i'm still so inept at basic pool care, i'm not ready for an investment in such a complex testing kit yet. It would be wasted on me.
If it matters, according to the strips i'm currently:
FCL 10ppm
TCL 10ppm
Alk 120ppm
pH 7.8
TH 250ppm
My main question today is how to use the Hayward chlorinator.
I think my biggest hurdle comes less from chemistry and more from the fact that i can't figure out how to use the thing properly. i'm puzzled by juggling how many tabs to put in the thing versus where to set the knob (flow control).
So, how do i go about finding that sweet spot where the knob goes?
i thought about waiting for the FC to drop to 0ppm, and then fill the Hayward to the brim, and turn the knob to the lowest setting - then check FC levels the next day. If tomorrow's FC is still at 0ppm, turn the knob up slightly, and check the following day. (repeat)
What messes with my head is that since the process is so slow, i don't know what i'm doing to the pool for at least 24 hours, right?
Also, while i'm waiting for the Hayward to calmly bring the pool to the proper 3ppm level, i could theoretically go several days with the FC at 0ppm, which is a bad idea, yes?
Any advice is appreciated, no matter how simplistic or obvious it may seem to you guys!
i'm definitely out of my element. Thanks!