FC use dropped since adding Solar Cover

[steveb21]

FC usage has dropped significantly since i added the solar cover.

Added fact we have not had much sun and i have also adjusted my pH from 7.8/8 > 7.2.

30th August 2017 - 16:30
pH 7.9
FC 7
CC 0

31st August 2017 - 16:30
pH 7.2
FC 5

1st September 2017 - 16:30
FC 5

2nd September 2017 - 17:30
FC 5

3rd September 2017 - 17:30
FC 4

4th September 2017 - 17:30
pH 7.2
FC 3.5
Added Liquid Chlorine to bump FC to approx FC 6

7th September 2017 - 16:30
FC 5

So initial 5 days, loss of just FC 2.5

8 days approx FC loss of just 3.5!

As the weather has not been too good pool has not been used in this time.
Would it be recommended to take off the solar cover every now and then so the pool can get some direct sunlight?

 

[domct203]

Yes, you should open the pool occasionally to 'let it breathe', and for the sun to help eliminate any CC's that have built up under that cover.

It's been the same here, I actually had to cut my SWG output in half due to cooler weather and the pool being covered most days. Like you have noticed, a cover & cooler weather greatly improves FC retention.

 

[steveb21]

Am i correct in thinking that if my CC readings are still showing as 0 (which they have been) - then i can keep the cover on? Or should i still remove it say every week or so?

 

[Mr Bruce]

Even if you don't measure any CC, it is good practice to brush the entire pool once a week and that would be pretty hard with a solar cover on.

 

[Perpetual summer]

Air temps here in the sixties, cloudy and not much sun. I have been testing daily and pool has been loosing less than a ppm of FC a day. Solar cover on most days. I have been taking it off about twice a week for 4 to 6 hrs.

 

[sleepysdad]

I'm a new pool owner (going into week 3). I'd been reading this forum/pool school for several months before and during construction. I was expecting MUCH more chlorine consumption than what I'm actually experiencing. Due to my location I'm also using a solar cover 23 out of 24 hours each day. My pool seems to only consume about 1ppm on some days. The only day where I had notable chlorine consumption was last Monday (labor day holiday) when we had a pool party. Other days my FC barely drops day over day. Making it hard to dial in my SWG. Wasn't sure if it was the cool weather or the cover - but based on your experience I'm leaning toward the cover being a substantial contributing factor to my almost non-existent chlorine demand.

 

[mknauss]

With your cover on the pool I would think it would be prudent to dramatically reduce your pump run time from the 12 hours per day you show.

Your SWCG may only need to be on an hour or so of that time during the days you have the cover on.

Do you have any automation? Would make things easier since your FC load is highly variable.

Take care.