Can’t get any free chlorine reading

[Newdude]

OK. First off........ the avatar pic....... *slow clap increasing in intensity* Bravo.

Today though a couple times after I slammed to 12 because the level had been 10, 2 hours later the next level read 14. How is that possible?

It's really not possible. So. Your new bleach may be stronger than the old bleach. Or your gallons changed in pool math and you are dosing for a 'bigger pool', which would get you more FC from the add. Click on the wagon wheel / settings in pool math and make sure it's set up for you.

So I’ve been slamming for about a week and a half, FC levels finally are in the double digits pretty much all day long, but I’m still losing about three overnight but the pool is crystal clear

So you're good and close. Finish it through or you'll be back at square one before long. Once it's holding the FC pretty well it is MUCH easier to keep at than it was in the beginning. Ride it for another week if need be. Keep up with the brushing and filter checks.

 

[Jennybird]

Thanks! I’ll double check the pool math. I cleaned the filter again and we’ve been doing the brushing and vacuuming.

 

[Jennybird]

OK. First off........ the avatar pic....... *slow clap increasing in intensity* Bravo.

It's really not possible. So. Your new bleach may be stronger than the old bleach. Or your gallons changed in pool math and you are dosing for a 'bigger pool', which would get you more FC from the add. Click on the wagon wheel / settings in pool math and make sure it's set up for you.

So you're good and close. Finish it through or you'll be back at square one before long. Once it's holding the FC pretty well it is MUCH easier to keep at than it was in the beginning. Ride it for another week if need be. Keep up with the brushing and filter checks.

Ps thanks for the pic appreciation!

 

[Jennybird]

Ps thanks for the pic appreciation!

So today, the FC is 12 (was 14 last night, have no idea why!), CC is 0.5 and water is still crystal clear. Am I done slamming?

 

[Newdude]

Am I done slamming?

It looks reaaaaaaaaally close, or done. Hold for another day to hopefully not have the mystery chlorine appear.

You probably just took a sample that hadn’t mixed well yet to explain the higher amount.

Holding another day, or two if need be, is easy. Starting from scratch in 3 weeks isnt.

 

[Jennybird]

It looks reaaaaaaaaally close, or done. Hold for another day to hopefully not have the mystery chlorine appear.

You probably just took a sample that hadn’t mixed well yet to explain the higher amount.

Holding another day, or two if need be, is easy. Starting from scratch in 3 weeks isnt.

True. OK, deal!

 

[Bperry]

You also might include your test results in the poolmath log. Right now it’s only showing clorone additions, not test results. Having all the tests and additions together can make tracking weird problems like that easier. Like maybe testing too soon after adding chlorine could lead to mystery chlorine increasing.

 

[Jennybird]

You also might include your test results in the poolmath log. Right now it’s only showing clorone additions, not test results. Having all the tests and additions together can make tracking weird problems like that easier. Like maybe testing too soon after adding chlorine could lead to mystery chlorine increasing.

Oh thanks! I was trying to figure out How to add my test results!

 

[Jennybird]

Oh thanks! I was trying to figure out How to add my test results!

Where do I put what the test results were? I only see where the log says how much you add.

 

[mknauss]

Oh thanks! I was trying to figure out How to add my test results!

 

[Bperry]

Where do I put what the test results were? I only see where the log says how much you add.

Every time you perform testing, click the “+ new log” button at the bottom of the screen and enter in the results.

 

[Jennybird]

Every time you perform testing, click the “+ new log” button at the bottom of the screen and enter in the results.

Thanks!

 

[Jennybird]

So we had a huge storm, lost power and our generator needs to be serviced, long story short we had to turn off the generator and now the pool filter is not on, and I am so close to being done with slam
Can I still add chlorine if needed and Just swirl it around with the brush or should I forgo it until the filter is back on?

 

[Newdude]

Can I still add chlorine if needed and Just swirl it around with the brush or should I forgo it until the filter is back on?

Oh yeah !!! It’s heavier than water so you should be brushing anytime you add anyway. Someone bleached their liner during a SLAM last week from it pooling on the bottom.

If you are above minimum and not over SLAM level you can hop in and be the stirrer yourself.

 

[Jennybird]

Oh yeah !!! It’s heavier than water so you should be brushing anytime you add anyway. Someone bleached their liner during a SLAM last week from it pooling on the bottom.

If you are above minimum and not over SLAM level you can hop in and be the stirrer yourself.

Well that sounds perfect!! Thanks

 

[Jennybird]

Well that sounds perfect!! Thanks

Is there a level of free chlorine that’s unsafe to swim at?

 

[Newdude]

Under minimum for ickies like bacteria, and over SLAM for the harshness of the FC at that point. Anywhere in between, even smack at SLAM level is safe if you can see a swimmer on the bottom, God forbid.

 

[Jennybird]

Under minimum for ickies like bacteria, and over SLAM for the harshness of the FC at that point. Anywhere in between, even smack at SLAM level is safe if you can see a swimmer on the bottom, God forbid.

FC is 11.5 mL of 0.5 and water is clearer than I’ve ever seen it!
I think I’m done??
Now as far as what to do next I just follow the levels recommended for the pool? And I check the free chlorine and the pH every day? Do I use the drop test for the free chlorine or the box, since I’m a newbie?

 

[Newdude]

Now as far as what to do next I just follow the levels recommended for the pool?

Yup. A little extra FC, say 4 ppm, will be a great safety net while you learn.

And I check the free chlorine and the pH every day?

Yes. Once you see how the PH goes you can drop it down to be suitable. As in, if it barely moves all week, check it once a week. The FC is daily until you know your pool and how it’s behaving at that point in the season. Then you can just add on even days like it needed on odd days when you test.

Do I use the drop test for the free chlorine or the box, since I’m a newbie

The box is just a chlorine check. Ok from time to time if you know you should have about 6 from the day before and it says it’s 5-8 ish. Ok that’s plenty close enough. But for daily dosing you use the powder test.

 

[Jennybird]

OK! So even though the minimum for the FC is 2, with a cya of 30, to be on the safe side my target should be 4 while I’m learning? And the pH should be 7.6 or 7.8 or I should correct it? Do I check the other levels once a week?
Should I check the pH today?