Hi,
First off, my pool : chlorine, in-ground, sand filter, heat-pump heated, vinyl, rectangular 16x32 with 3-foot shallow end and 8-foot deep end.
I've been using Cal-Hypo and Trichlor tablets (in automatic dispenser) for many summers. I plan to start using 6% bleach. My success at keeping my water clear has been... variable over the years
I was using an OTO test kit until today, when I started using my new Taylor K-2006 kit.
Here are my readings for today:
FC: 3
CC: 0
pH: 7.7
Calcium Hardness: 200
TA: 120
CYA: 42
Water looks fine at the moment. I just added the required amount of dry acid to lower the pH to 7.5.
I have three questions.
1- My routine used to be to put 2 stabilized tablets in the chlorinator every thursday, and add a "bucket" (about 15-20 ounces) of Cal-Hypo also once a week, or more if my tests warranted it. My understanding is that the Trichlor tablets will increase CYA. At a reading of 42, should I continue using Trichlor, or just test more often and use bleach only ? Sub-question would be : does Trichlor produce FC or does it produce CC ? If it produces FC, I'm guessing that the chlorine testing frequency could be reduced by using Trichlor every week ?
2- How often should I test each component ? I understand that big rain or heat waves can be a factor, but I was thinking something like this, am I way off ? :
FC: every 2-3 days
pH: every 2-3 days
TA: every 2 weeks
Calcium hardness: every 4 weeks
CYA: every 4 weeks
3- I have deposits at the bottom of my pool. They are a pale brownish powdery substance. Any movement near the deposits will make them disappear (they are not stains). If I vacuum to waste, they will reappear within 1 day. Are those calcium deposits from the Cal-Hypo ? That's the main reason why I'm considering using bleach instead, but could it be something else ? I don't think it's sand, I think it's a much smaller grain than that, and it tends to follow whatever vinyl wrinkles I have at the bottom of my pool.
Thanks.
First off, my pool : chlorine, in-ground, sand filter, heat-pump heated, vinyl, rectangular 16x32 with 3-foot shallow end and 8-foot deep end.
I've been using Cal-Hypo and Trichlor tablets (in automatic dispenser) for many summers. I plan to start using 6% bleach. My success at keeping my water clear has been... variable over the years
I was using an OTO test kit until today, when I started using my new Taylor K-2006 kit.
Here are my readings for today:
FC: 3
CC: 0
pH: 7.7
Calcium Hardness: 200
TA: 120
CYA: 42
Water looks fine at the moment. I just added the required amount of dry acid to lower the pH to 7.5.
I have three questions.
1- My routine used to be to put 2 stabilized tablets in the chlorinator every thursday, and add a "bucket" (about 15-20 ounces) of Cal-Hypo also once a week, or more if my tests warranted it. My understanding is that the Trichlor tablets will increase CYA. At a reading of 42, should I continue using Trichlor, or just test more often and use bleach only ? Sub-question would be : does Trichlor produce FC or does it produce CC ? If it produces FC, I'm guessing that the chlorine testing frequency could be reduced by using Trichlor every week ?
2- How often should I test each component ? I understand that big rain or heat waves can be a factor, but I was thinking something like this, am I way off ? :
FC: every 2-3 days
pH: every 2-3 days
TA: every 2 weeks
Calcium hardness: every 4 weeks
CYA: every 4 weeks
3- I have deposits at the bottom of my pool. They are a pale brownish powdery substance. Any movement near the deposits will make them disappear (they are not stains). If I vacuum to waste, they will reappear within 1 day. Are those calcium deposits from the Cal-Hypo ? That's the main reason why I'm considering using bleach instead, but could it be something else ? I don't think it's sand, I think it's a much smaller grain than that, and it tends to follow whatever vinyl wrinkles I have at the bottom of my pool.
Thanks.