Chlorine way down after I turned up the cell

[JulianCaesar]

Hi friends,

I'm posting because my FC is still not up to the recommended level of 5 given my CYA of about 70. I increased the salt cell output % twice and while it seemed like my FC increased in response to the first time I increased the cell output %, I tested today to find my FC lower than it has ever been in my testing at 1.6 FC (with a CYA of 70), and way below the recommended minimum of 3.0 and target of 5.0 FC.

I don't understand why the FC level is so low after running the SWG for about 30 days at an increased level. It is actually way lower since I was last here 30 days ago and increased the cell output %. I think 1.6 FC is too low to swim in safely if I understand correctly.

I don't know what to do or how to micromanage the pool guys short of firing them and hiring someone else, and then I don't know what to direct them to do. Maybe ask them to make sure the cell is clean? It was brand new in February. Get them to add enough acid to get the pH down?

My pool is in Palm Springs, but I live in LA so sometimes we are out here every weekend, but then there are stretches where we aren't here, which is why my testing is not more frequent.

I do not think my CYA has changed much. I have slightly varying results from 55-70 only because I sometimes wasn't sure when the black dot had fully disappeared. I think in reality it has been just in the 60-70 range the whole time.

I elected to use the pool builder's pool service, but it doesn't seem like they are doing a good job. The pH for example is always over 8.0. In the logs, wherever I put 8.2 ph or similar, was because the color was outside of the range at some higher number greater than 8.0. So it could be 8.4 or even higher for all I know.

Really not even sure what to do first here. Would really appreciate some help.

Thanks!



Most recent tests w/ K-2006C:

Volume: 20000 Gallons
Build Type: Plaster

Ambient daytime temps have been over 100 F most of the time here in Palm Springs, CA.
Pump runs 24 hours/day at 1800 rpm (about 28 GPM) except for 4 hours that it runs at 2800 rpm (about 45 GPM). The flow light is always green on the IC-40 as far as I have seen.

(subtract 7 hours for local time)
Aug 18, 11:30 PM
1.6 FC
0.0 CC
8.2 pH (OR HIGHER)
70 CYA
89 °F TEMP

Aug 3, 6:05 PM
4.6 FC
0.0 CC
8.2 pH (OR HIGHER)
140 TA
500 CH
70 CYA
3200 SALT
91 °F TEMP

*** Jul 21: SWG Change: Changed output from 65% to 75%

Jul 21, 6:45 PM
2.8 FC
0.2 CC
8.2 pH (OR HIGHER)
120 TA
600 CH
65 CYA
94 °F TEMP

*** Jul 20: SWG Change: Changed output from 45% to 65%

Jul 20, 9:24 PM
2.6 FC
0.4 CC
8.2 pH (OR HIGHER)
94 °F TEMP

*** Jul 13: SWG Change: Changed output from 35% to 45%

Jul 13, 5:30 PM
3.0 FC
0.0 CC
8.2 pH (OR HIGHER)
55 CYA
94 °F TEMP

Jun 8, 12:58 AM
4.4 FC
0.2 CC
8.2 pH (OR HIGHER)
65 CYA
88 °F TEMP

*** SWG started at 35% output since pool startup was completed in April this year after resurfacing the plaster.

 

[ajw22]

Can your pool pass a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test?

If not, you have algae in your water consuming the chlorine being generated.

 

[PoolStored]

You have not maintained a high enough FC for your CYA. You should always follow this. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

In general, raise FC with LC and maintain with SWCG.

I'd start the SLAM process now to clear the pool, even if you can't see algae. Link-->SLAM Process

If you don't believe it is algae, then do this test tonight. Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test