Been following the TroubleFreePool methodology for a few months now with fairly good results (first time pool owner and still learning.....). The issue I seem to be experiencing is my pool's inability to "hold" chlorine. In the early evening, I add enough chlorine (10% liquid) to adjust the pool to approx. 5 ppm. By the same time the next day I'm testing (using OTO) at 1-2 ppm. I even double check the OTO using two different testing kits, the TF-100 (Taylor) and my Poolmaster. Both match up. When I have tested the CYA a few times over the past month or so, it consistently measures at approx. 40 ppm. Now from what I understand, an "ideal" range for CYA is 30-50 ppm. That's based upon what I've learned from TFP and other resources.
I know that sunlight breaks down chlorine. How quickly I do NOT know (though I suspect somewhat rapidly.....). I live in an area near Los Angeles called the San Gabriel Valley and it gets quite hot here. Also, my pool is situated such that it gets full, intense sun virtually from sun-up to sun-down. No shade to speak off. Also I do not have it covered. When I bought the house the previous owner had a bubble blanket cover for the pool. The blanket was cut into 3 different pieces to match the free-form. I got rid of it for three reasons: (1) It appeared to be old and discolored, (2) it was a pain (due to the size of the pool) to install, remove and store, and (3) the previous owner had cut it to match the outlines of the pool, but he'd cut it UPSIDE DOWN, with the bubbles facing up (instead of down as they should be). So, currently no cover. I guess my question to the TFP community is this:
Due to the heat and intense sunlight my pool gets, would it make sense to run my CYA at a higher level, say 70-80 ppm (or higher?), in order to help the pool "hold" it's chlorine and not burn it off so quick?
I bought some CYA granules and have enough (based upon manufacturer's recommendations) to raise the CYA 30-40 ppm if I want to. If I do raise it, I will likely just gradually add the suggested amount into the skimmer. Run pump 24-48 hours and not backwash DE filter. All of my other chemical numbers seem to be in good ranges. I have NOT (as of yet) added any borates to the pool, though I plan on doing that in the near future as time and budget permits. I appreciate any input or advice fellow community members can provide.
I know that sunlight breaks down chlorine. How quickly I do NOT know (though I suspect somewhat rapidly.....). I live in an area near Los Angeles called the San Gabriel Valley and it gets quite hot here. Also, my pool is situated such that it gets full, intense sun virtually from sun-up to sun-down. No shade to speak off. Also I do not have it covered. When I bought the house the previous owner had a bubble blanket cover for the pool. The blanket was cut into 3 different pieces to match the free-form. I got rid of it for three reasons: (1) It appeared to be old and discolored, (2) it was a pain (due to the size of the pool) to install, remove and store, and (3) the previous owner had cut it to match the outlines of the pool, but he'd cut it UPSIDE DOWN, with the bubbles facing up (instead of down as they should be). So, currently no cover. I guess my question to the TFP community is this:
Due to the heat and intense sunlight my pool gets, would it make sense to run my CYA at a higher level, say 70-80 ppm (or higher?), in order to help the pool "hold" it's chlorine and not burn it off so quick?
I bought some CYA granules and have enough (based upon manufacturer's recommendations) to raise the CYA 30-40 ppm if I want to. If I do raise it, I will likely just gradually add the suggested amount into the skimmer. Run pump 24-48 hours and not backwash DE filter. All of my other chemical numbers seem to be in good ranges. I have NOT (as of yet) added any borates to the pool, though I plan on doing that in the near future as time and budget permits. I appreciate any input or advice fellow community members can provide.