Chlorine levels not showing

Popadoc · Jun 22, 2018

Hi,

we just put up 3,500 gal AG pool last weekend and had water delivered Monday. I started testing Tuesday afternoon using the Taylor K-1004 test kit. After I did the first test.

FC -0
CC- 0
pH -7.8
TA -40

Unable to test CYA with this kit Should I buy a stand alone CYA tester?

Wednesday afternoon I added 22oz of Bleach (5.7), test was still less than .500 ppm. for FC and CC

Did the same on Thursday , pH was 7.6, but no change in the FC or TC.

Should I keep adding Bleach until I start seeing FC readings with the test? I haven't added anything to the water other than the Bleach, but I am unsure what was added to the water before I receive it.

New to pools and ignorant, but hopefully that's curable.

Thanks

Jezza · Jun 22, 2018

Welcome to the forum.

You might be best following the link on Temporary Pools

But most importantly add bleach and some CYA to stop it from being burned off from the sun.

JohnT · Jun 22, 2018

Welcome to TFP!

You definitely want the CYA test. It can run you crazy if you don’t know it. Your chlorine will be gone quickly without CYA in the pool. How long after adding are you testing?

JesseSchmidt · Jun 22, 2018

Welcome to the forum! You found the right place for your pool answers.

The test kits that we recommend are the TF100 from TFTestKits.net and the Taylor K-2006C. Those both use the FAS-DPD kit for testing FC. That's the only way to accurately test the level of FC in your water.

According to PoolMath, for 3500 gallons, you need to add 22oz to get to a 2.7ppm FC. Without any CYA in your pool, that will disinfect it but the problem is that the FC won't stick around long once the sun hits your pool. You need to get a test kit that can measure the CYA and then add enough stabilizer to get to 40-50ppm CYA.

Your pH is at the top of the range, that can be brought done to 7.4-7.5 using a very small dose of muriatic acid. Just hit up PoolMath for the dosage.

Popadoc · Jun 22, 2018

It's been in the evenings (completely in the shade) any where from 1 to 3 hours after adding

Mendy48 · Jun 22, 2018

Welcome!!!

You need to bring your CYA up to a 30 at least. Without CYA, your chlorine level will deplete fast in your pool. I recommend you get the TF100 from TFTestKits.net. It comes with the CYA testing kit. I use the "sock" method to add CYA to my pool. Add the stabilizer (CYA) to a sock and hang it near your return jet. Use PoolMath to determine how much stabilizer you need. Once you add the stabilizer, you can gently massage the sock to dissolve the granular once you have it hanging in your pool. Wait 24-48 hours before you retest again your CYA. When you test your CYA again, make sure to follow the FC/CYA chart for your target FC. Oh! and bring your pH down a tad bit as suggested previously by Jesse.

Popadoc · Jun 22, 2018

added 28oz of bleach this afternoon, tested after 1 hour and had 3 ppm chlorine ... finely something! pH was a little less around 7.6. I added 1lb of CYA as the PoolMath showed. Used the ''sock'' method Mendy48 suggested to do.

I will test the FC and CC tomorrow morning and the CYA tomorrow afternoon.

Making a little progress!!

Thanks for your help.

I will keep you up dated!