Do I need supplemental chlorine during cold weather?

[Tochizakura]

• Pool temp is around 50 °F these days
• SWG has not operating due to low temperature
• Measured pH at 7.6
• CYA is between 60 and 70
• Chlorine drop test was completely clear
• I clean the pool of any leaves the skimmer doesn't catch once a week.
• There is no visible algae.

Given that the chlorine drop test was completely clear should I be purchasing supplemental chlorine to add to my pool when the SWG is non-operational due to cold weather? Or can this be skipped as I am not noticing any issue with algae? My brain goes back and forth between (a) duh add it better safe than sorry and (b) don't fix what ain't broken.

Thanks to anyone who reads/replies.

 

[Jimrahbe]

T,

Since I never know for sure what the weather is going to do, day to day, I always maintain my FC level all year long. Takes about 15 minutes a week and very little Liquid Chlorine in the Winter months.

Seems like very little effort, just to make sure.

Let's see what our other members say that they do..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PoolStored]

Maintain your FC for your CYA all year long. Link-->FC/CYA Levels
In cold weather, additions will be fewer and smaller.

 

[JJ_Tex]

Yes. I usually keep a bucket of chlorine tabs and a few jugs of liquid chlorine for the winter. I'll use pucks in a floating chlorine dispenser, while keeping an eye on my CYA. Once it gets back to where I want it, I will use liquid chlorine.

 

[an1vrsy]

Chlorine drop test could mean the OTO. Or do you mean the fas-dpd test when you added the powder it did not turn pink? Either way I am curious which test kit you have? An algae bloom is never a good thing to deal with. Prevention is better than hoping nothing will happen.

I would add a half gallon of liquid chlorine and make sure my FC never went near or below minimum FC/CYA relationship.

 

[ajw22]

• I am not noticing any issue with algae?

Clear water is not algae free water.

Algae can be in clear water without chlorine waiting to bloom when the water warms.

 

[Newdude]

In cold weather, additions will be fewer and smaller

This ^^^^^^^^. So much this.

OP in LA in Jan is like my pool in Nov in NY. When the cell decides it's too cold, I only needed 2% or 4% runtime instead of 40%/60% during the season. So I need 1/15 to 1/30 the regular season chlorine to stay above minimum day to day, and a single dose a little over target level would last a week, or even weeks.

Adjust test/dose intervals as you go, but it won't take much effort to save a boatload of slam effort in the spring.

 

[Tochizakura]

Chlorine drop test could mean the OTO. Or do you mean the fas-dpd test when you added the powder it did not turn pink? Either way I am curious which test kit you have?

I realize I was not clear. Yes the first test I did was the OTO style one. I just did the DPD one from the TF-100 with the powder to confirm and it also is completely clear, no pink to see.

Clear water is not algae free water.

Algae can be in clear water without chlorine waiting to bloom when the water warms.

I did not realize this. Thank you.

My appreciation to all who replied -- I have acquired some liquid chlorine and will add it to maintain the appropriate level of FC for my level of CYA.

 

[ajw22]

When your water gets above 60F you should do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to confirm you have no algae lurking in the clear water. If you fail the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test then follow the SLAM Process