Hello I was on here a lot several years ago and my brain has completely forgot everything I knew. Is CYA 70 and PPM 8.5 too high to swim? My husband (has memory loss) is chomping at the bit to get in, but I worry about these levels. I used a the drop test. Your thoughts? I did do a search and try to do the math but it just tells me the CYA is not good. I've always had bad CYA but the pool is clear. thanks
CYA 70 and PPM 8.5 - too high for swimming?
- Thread starter Patsy B
- Start date
DrewLG
Gold Supporter
- May 31, 2022
- 674
- Pool Size
- 8000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
Thanks for the quick response. I just did test for chlorine again and used my new 0871, last one was several years old and getting to end of bottle. Now it indicates 11.5. Still good or a no go?
DrewLG
Gold Supporter
- May 31, 2022
- 674
- Pool Size
- 8000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
It's safe so long as the FC concentration is less than 40% of the CYA concentration... So for your case, with 70ppm CYA, the maximum FC level would be 40% of 70, which is 28ppm. Your 11.5ppm FC is fine.
One thing, though: The drop test for pH starts to become inaccurate (reads too high) when FC rises above 10ppm. So with your 11.5ppm FC, be aware that the pool's pH might actually be slightly lower than what your drop test tells you.
One thing, though: The drop test for pH starts to become inaccurate (reads too high) when FC rises above 10ppm. So with your 11.5ppm FC, be aware that the pool's pH might actually be slightly lower than what your drop test tells you.
JupiterFL
Silver Supporter
- Mar 28, 2023
- 128
- Pool Size
- 12638
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
It’s safe to swim all the way up to slam level, which is well above where you are now.
You’re in the regular range of us on #teamrunhot
You’re in the regular range of us on #teamrunhot
Yes that I do remember about the PH. Thanks so much - I'll tell him it's okay.
Today I am at CYA = 50 and PPM 18.5 - looking at this chart slam level is 20. I dumped a bunch of liquid chlorine in two days ago as it had none and was looking pretty gross. I might have been heavy handed. Have let it run all day/night - electric bill will be out the roof next month. What are the repercussions of someone swimming at this level?
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,029
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
You will be fine. If it is looking gross, I would do this test. Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
If you fail, time to start a SLAM. Link-->SLAM Process
If you fail, time to start a SLAM. Link-->SLAM Process
Swimming is safe between min and SLAM per the above chart. Going over doesn't return results as people would suspect. FC burns off faster at higher levels and SLAM was designed for balancing efficiency and waste.
It looks great now, but this is good protocol to follow. Thanks
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,029
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Well I just did the FC drop test and now it's showing 25PPM - I have a very small pool (10,000 gal) and did take water from a different area. I only use liquid chlorine no tablets.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,029
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,070
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
How are you determining how much liquid chlorine to add? Seems like something is off with your pool size, chlorine strength, measurements, etc if you are consistently getting way higher than expected.
If helpful, assuming you have a 10k gallon pool and are using 10% liquid chlorine, each 1/2 gallon of liquid chlorine will add 5.0 FC to your pool.
If helpful, assuming you have a 10k gallon pool and are using 10% liquid chlorine, each 1/2 gallon of liquid chlorine will add 5.0 FC to your pool.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Your signature says you have a chlorinator- is this a liquid feeder or a tablet feeder?
Lets also be sure you are doing the test correctly.
I have the large Taylor kit. I am taking 10mg of pool water, adding heaping spoon of the R-0870 putting in the Taylor speedstir and as it stirs counting each drop of R-0871 until the red/pink turns clear.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,029
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
I just looked at my profile and I actually only had my location. I do have a chlorinator tablet but I don't use it. Well that's not true in the winter when no swimming I put tablets in but don't add liquid as it is too cold to swim.