Chlorine consumption during winter seems to be increasing.

[phxdesrochers]

I'm about 4 or so weeks into using a good test kit and my chlorine consumption seems higher then I would expect. The pool and spa have a bubble cover but we still use the attached spa once or twice a week. I'm testing every 3 days and over the course of a week the FC will fall from about 6.5 to 2.5. And I add 24-48 oz of 10% LC trying to use pool math. I have noticed many crows are taking the dog food the neighbors put out and dunking it around the edges of the pool to soften it up frequently dropping it into the pool. Not sure if combating that is eating up some chlorine.

I am working to find what is normal for my pool to add LC more often to reduce the swings and I would have guessed it would be less LC, is this just normal even for winter with a cover?
Here are today's results.
TA 100
CH 225
pH 7.9
FC 3
CYA 50
CC ~0.3

 

[PoolStored]

.5 FC loss per day doesn't seem that far off. Crows dunking probably not doing anything significant.

I would not run your FC so low. Yous should maintain 5-8 FC when your CYA is 50. If you have to dose higher so that you are in-range WHEN YOU TEST, then do that.

You should always follow this...Link-->FC/CYA Levels

 

[proavia]

We have been having a winter heat wave here in the valley. Your average loss of 0.6 ppm per day over the course of a week is fine. The spa use is also eating into that weekly loss.
Wait until mid summer when you are loosing 4+ ppm daily.

Just dose to the high side of the target range for your CYA - FC/CYA Levels

Never ever let FC fall below minimum based on your CYA level

 

[phxdesrochers]

We have been having a winter heat wave here in the valley. Your average loss of 0.6 ppm per day over the course of a week is fine. The spa use is also eating into that weekly loss.
Wait until mid summer when you are loosing 4+ ppm daily.

Just dose to the high side of the target range for your CYA - FC/CYA Levels

Never ever let FC fall below minimum based on your CYA level

Wow! That's like 40oz of chlorine a day come summer! I suppose I'll know my local walmart garden center folks we'll. Haha.
Thanks I'll start trying to add more frequently to maintain the higher level. By comparison this is a pretty small amount it seems.

 

[phxdesrochers]

.5 FC loss per day doesn't seem that far off. Crows dunking probably not doing anything significant.

I would not run your FC so low. Yous should maintain 5-8 FC when your CYA is 50. If you have to dose higher so that you are in-range WHEN YOU TEST, then do that.

You should always follow this...Link-->FC/CYA Levels

.5 FC loss per day doesn't seem that far off. Crows dunking probably not doing anything significant.

I would not run your FC so low. Yous should maintain 5-8 FC when your CYA is 50. If you have to dose higher so that you are in-range WHEN YOU TEST, then do that.

You should always follow this...Link-->FC/CYA Levels

If this is normally I'll start trying to add some daily to see if I can get it in range when testing so I'm less reactive. Thanks!

 

[PoolStored]

Consider getting a salt water chlorine generator.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[proavia]

A SWG is your friend.
While the initial cost might seem high, over the long term it is actually cheaper than liquid chlorine.
And you can leave for a few days or longer and not have to worry about the pool - just have someone check/empty the skimmer basket once in a while.

Look for one at least 2x your pool volume
If your pool has automation, you'll want a SWG of the same brand.
If no automation, consider something like a Circupool RJ45+.

Update your signature with more info about your pool (including equipment model numbers) and test kit info.

https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/signature

 

[phxdesrochers]

Ah, I think I added details to my profile but missed my signature. I hadn't really considered a SWG, the builder described them as an unnecessary luxury or option. I don't have automation, but will look into the RJ45+. There are alot of pages on SWG, I can add them to my reading list, haha. Thanks.

 

[dereksanders]

Ah, I think I added details to my profile but missed my signature. I hadn't really considered a SWG, the builder described them as an unnecessary luxury or option. I don't have automation, but will look into the RJ45+. There are alot of pages on SWG, I can add them to my reading list, haha. Thanks.

A SWCG isn’t necessary, but once you use one you’ll never use anything else. Considering the price of a pool build a SWCG is peanuts and actually pays for itself.

 

[proavia]

Ah, I think I added details to my profile but missed my signature. I hadn't really considered a SWG, the builder described them as an unnecessary luxury or option. I don't have automation, but will look into the RJ45+. There are alot of pages on SWG, I can add them to my reading list, haha. Thanks.

Here is what your signature shows - way too generic, add specific details of your pool and equipment (include model numbers and test kit info).

Your builder is uninformed on SWG - he probably recommends constant use of tablets as well.
Builders may know how to build a pool - but are clueless about pool chemistry.

The builder installed a multi-thousand dollar IFCS - but thinks a SWG is a luxury.

I used liquid chlorine for a number of years. If I went out of town for a few days or weeks, I needed someone to add chlorine to the pool at least every other day in summer.
I switched to a SWG 3 years ago. I can leave town for weeks on end and not need to worry about chlorine - the SWG adds it daily.

 

[phxdesrochers]

Here is what your signature shows - way too generic, add specific details of your pool and equipment (include model numbers and test kit info).

Your builder is uninformed on SWG - he probably recommends constant use of tablets as well.
Builders may know how to build a pool - but are clueless about pool chemistry.

The builder installed a multi-thousand dollar IFCS - but thinks a SWG is a luxury.

I used liquid chlorine for a number of years. If I went out of town for a few days or weeks, I needed someone to add chlorine to the pool at least every other day in summer.
I switched to a SWG 3 years ago. I can leave town for weeks on end and not need to worry about chlorine - the SWG adds it daily.

Yep, throw some pucks in, check every few days, here is a pool guy we partner with. Looking back I would trade some things in the build for automation and a SWG at the same price, but C'est la vie.

 

[phxdesrochers]

A SWCG isn’t necessary, but once you use one you’ll never use anything else. Considering the price of a pool build a SWCG is peanuts and actually pays for itself.

Quick maths seem like capital recovery is 3.5 years or so at current prices. Not terrible. I'll see what this year consumes and see if the family gets annoyed with me adding LC evey night, haha.