Hey all,
Since I've switched to the TFP method to care for my pool, I've learned more about my pool than I would have ever thought. The water looks great, but I have several questions with regards to chlorine consumption and pH. First, the important data:
Test as of 30 minutes ago...
FC - 4
CC - 0
pH - 7.8
TA - 110
CH - Haven't tested recently, but last time was 300
CYA - 50
Borates - N/A
Now the questions:
1 - I'm adding quite a bit of chlorine to my pool every day. Upwards of a gallon a day to keep FC around 6 (per CYA/Chlorine chart in school). The pool HAS passed the OCLT, but after the sun goes down, I'm around 2-3ppm (normally 2). So, my question for you desert dwellers and experts is, does the summer sun really "Chew" off ~4ppm a day? I get 300+ days of sun a year, and during the summer (now) we are around 100-110 degrees F. From about 9am to 4:30pm, my pool is in direct sunlight. My concern is that, at $3 a gallon for 10%, I'm looking at $90 a month! That's not counting the MA, which brings me to my next question...
2 - My pH is constantly on the rise. I drop it down to 7.2 to attempt to lower TA (I've done this at least 5 times... TA was at 120, now at 110), and within a day it's back up at 7.8-8.0. I can continue to try to drop pH to lower TA to hopefully help keep pH in balance, but I'm adding QUITE a bit of MA each time (like 1 to 2 gallons). Again, my cost is now skyrocketing since I'm paying $12 for 2 gallons of MA. I have a spillover spa, so would that amount of aeration cause my pH to rise that quickly?
Bottom-line, I love the TFP practice, but I'm concerned it hasn't been trouble-free to my wallet. If these costs continue, it may be easier to float tabs (blasphemy! I know...) and drain and refill every season. Surprisingly, water costs in a desert are remarkably cheap!
Since I doubt anyone is online this late, I look forward to your responses tomorrow!
Bob
Since I've switched to the TFP method to care for my pool, I've learned more about my pool than I would have ever thought. The water looks great, but I have several questions with regards to chlorine consumption and pH. First, the important data:
Test as of 30 minutes ago...
FC - 4
CC - 0
pH - 7.8
TA - 110
CH - Haven't tested recently, but last time was 300
CYA - 50
Borates - N/A
Now the questions:
1 - I'm adding quite a bit of chlorine to my pool every day. Upwards of a gallon a day to keep FC around 6 (per CYA/Chlorine chart in school). The pool HAS passed the OCLT, but after the sun goes down, I'm around 2-3ppm (normally 2). So, my question for you desert dwellers and experts is, does the summer sun really "Chew" off ~4ppm a day? I get 300+ days of sun a year, and during the summer (now) we are around 100-110 degrees F. From about 9am to 4:30pm, my pool is in direct sunlight. My concern is that, at $3 a gallon for 10%, I'm looking at $90 a month! That's not counting the MA, which brings me to my next question...
2 - My pH is constantly on the rise. I drop it down to 7.2 to attempt to lower TA (I've done this at least 5 times... TA was at 120, now at 110), and within a day it's back up at 7.8-8.0. I can continue to try to drop pH to lower TA to hopefully help keep pH in balance, but I'm adding QUITE a bit of MA each time (like 1 to 2 gallons). Again, my cost is now skyrocketing since I'm paying $12 for 2 gallons of MA. I have a spillover spa, so would that amount of aeration cause my pH to rise that quickly?
Bottom-line, I love the TFP practice, but I'm concerned it hasn't been trouble-free to my wallet. If these costs continue, it may be easier to float tabs (blasphemy! I know...) and drain and refill every season. Surprisingly, water costs in a desert are remarkably cheap!
Since I doubt anyone is online this late, I look forward to your responses tomorrow!
Bob