FC in cold weather.

[ciaka]

My FC has been at about 5ppm average, with TA 75 and CYA 40.
Temps here have been below 25F nearly a week now with ice all over and snow too going into pool.
I keep testing in the freeze too, and noticed my CC sometimes gets to 0.5 ppm (probably less but my testing is to 0.5 ppm resolution).
Should I get my FC higher to say 7ppm during the freeze? Wondering what the good course of action would be in the cold. Thanks.

 

[CrystalRiver]

It wouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't bother. 0.5 CC is nothing to worry about.

How are you testing if the pool is frozen over?

 

[Dirk]

No need to up your FC in colder water. If anything, the opposite would be true. The chances of algae developing are much lower in the winter. Near zero in the weather you've got going on just now.

At CYA 40, your ideal FC range is 5-7. I treat the low end of my FC range as my minimum, and never let it go below that. Nowhere near the actual minimum. This makes for a built-in buffer, a safety margin, in case of some anomaly. Extra swimmers. Bird bombers. A hot spell. Any of those can sneak up on you and tank your FC, so the buffer keeps you out of the green.

In winter time, that might be sudden spring temps, catching you off your guard. So I apply this "false bottom" rule all year round. That way, I don't have to think about it, or when to start doing it. It's just always there. So treat 5 as your minimum, never dip below it, and if that means dosing to 7 so that when FC drifts down between dosings that it'll still stay above 5, then do that. 7 is overkill in the winter, but maintaining the "false bottom" habit all year round keeps you from slipping up...

 

[ciaka]

I like your thinking @Dirk . Think I will start same outlook. Better safe than sorry for sure.

@CrystalRiver , I do it by sticking my arm into ice hole, as deep as I can while trying not to get all wet.
Do it so that I can better appreciate warm water, when it does arrive.
Fortunately we are having a warm spell here today, at 31F. A lot of ice melting, pool does not have standing ice in it anymore...things are looking up for sure.
My landscapers cancelled my Monday plan due to huge freeze, cannot get sod ordered. Now will be waiting til end of April...hope not, asend of April here means Temps of 90 and more. Was hoping to do landscape in the 60s or low 70s.
Who invented winter and snow anyways.

 

[Dirk]

If you ever want to take a break from your cold water acclimation training, build yourself one of these. It's a couple feet of 3/4" PVC with a cap on each end. Drill a 3/8" hole in each cap. The trick is to hold your thumb over the top hole before you dip the pipe into the water. Release the hole when the pipe is at depth (about 18") and the pipe will fill with 18" deep water. Put your thumb back over the hole and pull the pipe back out. Fill your sample container. Do it twice. The first time use the pool water to rinse your sample container. Which rinses the pipe with pool water at the same time. Then dip again and use the second sample for your testing. At most you'll get your fingertips wet, and you can do it without kneeling or even squatting.

 

[tgrinchy]

Interesting Dirk - I may try this. Thanks for sharing

 

[ciaka]

@Dirk , Yeah, meant to do this while back. Never got around to doing it.
When younger I spent plenty of time in 36 deg. Water. So guess it is my stubborn side still active. Plus the dip is not very long, few seconds at most.
But I do plan to build your gadget for sure, just missed my opportunity to use in target environment.
That's what I get for procrastinating.

 

[Dirk]

It's great for cold water season, but I use it all year long, too. Saves on the ol' parts...