First AGP close- FC/TC levels high? Need shock?

[HeidiP]

I ran my SWG on super high and got to a total chlorine level of 10.2 and FC levels of 9.8. I had been at 0 after having my pump off a while.
Right now here in the north I'm fighting to keep my filter pump on and keeping my skimmer basket clear of leaves so I don't lose pressure.

I haven't had to shock this year because my SWG did a great job of maintaining levels.

So my question -
Do I have to shock now? and let levels fall? My CYA also went down to 2ppm and I've put in chemicals to raise it. Running pump overnight to solve that problem/try to balance. Will check levels tomorrow afternoon.

Today's Test/My equipment's ideal or range
CYA 2 / 20-80
TC 10.2 / 1-3
FC 9.8 / 1-3

pH 7.5 / 7.2-7.6
Total alkalinity 101/Adjusted - 101 / 80-110 recommended
Calcium hardness- 221 / 175-300
Salt - 3300/ 2700-3400 recommended

SECOND PART - IF i need to shock, is granular calcium hypochlorite OK? I realize that it's about a third calcium, but i've apparently got room for a bit of a rise.

I assume that once I have my levels balanced, I put my algaecide in, and i read up on whether i want antifreeze (guessing no, will freeze this winter, in Ottawa, where we go from 0C to -40C.

Any tips would be appreciated - trying to clean out leaves too - and it's a somewhat losing battle.
Thank you.

 

[OTPirate]

Alright, I imagine others are going to chime in. I'm not a fan of test strips, nor the pool store...get a Taylor K-2006 kit (yes, I do have a vested interest in the next one), or a TF-100 test kit. I wouldn't trust your chlorine readings with test strips. You need a FAS-DPD test to accurately measure chlorine levels. Here is an old thread I found similar to your situation: First time closing pool (Ontario, Canada)). Brrrrr....-40

 

[Teald024]

You ask if you have to "shock". The simple answer is that you are already "shocking" your pool if your CYA is really 2ppm (and I doubt it). The FC level of 10ppm is well above shock level. About your CYA, how did you test and how did it get down to 2ppm? What was your previous CYA?
When you add chlorine, I would only use bleach as it is easier in my opinion. Don't use the Cal-Hypo, you have a vinyl liner and adtl calcium is not needed. There is no proper range except to keep CSI balanced.

I would highly suggest that you disregard the recommended levels you list above. Read through the:
Recomended Levels
FC/CYA Chart

 

[LFrankow]

I ran my SWG on super high and got to a total chlorine level of 10.2 and FC levels of 9.8. I had been at 0 after having my pump off a while.

I buy a 5 litre jug of pool bleach/chlorine from Canadian Tire every spring when they have it on sale for 4-5$, it is 10%. That way if my FC drops like yours did I can raise my FC up by 5 in fifteen minutes just by adding the right amount of bleach according to Pool Math, link above.

Right now here in the north I'm fighting to keep my filter pump on and keeping my skimmer basket clear of leaves so I don't lose pressure.

I find my solar cover a handy helper when it comes to spring Elm tree seed explosions and of course fall leaf droppings. It doesn't totally prevent the junk from getting into the pool or skimmer basket but does lessen it. It also piles most of the leaves up around the sides of the pool making it easy to pull out by hand and drop in a 5 gallon pail.

I haven't had to shock this year because my SWG did a great job of maintaining levels.

I have the same SWG as you after running it for two seasons I can say it is a good little unit.

So my question -
Do I have to shock now? and let levels fall? My CYA also went down to 2ppm and I've put in chemicals to raise it. Running pump overnight to solve that problem/try to balance. Will check levels tomorrow afternoon.

With a cya of essentially 0, you are already at shock level. With falling water air and water temps along with the lower angle of the sun FC burn off will be lowered.

What level of cya are you aiming for? I use the granular pool stabilizer I buy from Canadian Tire, and usually wait two to three days after addition via the sock method to retest.

Today's Test/My equipment's ideal or range
CYA 2 / 20-80
TC 10.2 / 1-3
FC 9.8 / 1-3

pH 7.5 / 7.2-7.6
Total alkalinity 101/Adjusted - 101 / 80-110 recommended
Calcium hardness- 221 / 175-300
Salt - 3300/ 2700-3400 recommended

I try to keep my cya level at 70 during june/july/august, I can get away with lower in the 'shoulder' seasons.
My target FC is 5, just before the swg kicks in or 7-8 just after it turns off. I just dumped the last 3 litres of CT bleach into my pool at closing bringing my FC to 13ppm, with a cya level around 50.
PH is ok anywhere from 7.2 - 7.8, I lower mine when it rises with Muriatic acid I buy from...Canadian Tire paint department.
Total Alk will go down over time with the addition of acid to lower your ph. TA has no real set number but you will know you are there when your ph rise slows to a crawl. You can also do the TA "dance" detailed in Pool School. I did it to my pool a few years ago and am now running around 60-70 TA, which is my sweet spot apparently.
CH I have a vinyl pool and low CH fill water, last I checked it was 160.
Salt level is whatever my aquatrol tells me is fine, I do know the lights start flashing at 2700ppm, so usually keep it from 3000-3300 as per led on swg.

SECOND PART - IF i need to shock, is granular calcium hypochlorite OK? I realize that it's about a third calcium, but i've apparently got room for a bit of a rise.

I would just use bleach myself, and always do when my water temp gets below 60-65 F as my swg really doesn't work all that well in cooler temps.

I assume that once I have my levels balanced, I put my algaecide in, and i read up on whether i want antifreeze (guessing no, will freeze this winter, in Ottawa, where we go from 0C to -40C.

Your levels should pretty much good to go once your new cya additions kick in.
Algaecide, I have two gallons downstairs that are 8 years old, bought before I found this site. Bleach/chlorine/FC will do anything an algaecide can do. And once your pool is a large hockey puck your chlorine usage goes to zero.
Antifreeze I don't use as I blow out my lines and remove pump, 6 way valve for sand filter and swg cell indoors for the winter. Deep cleaning the sand filter then opening the drain valve at closing.

If I were you I would try to return your algaecide, cal-hypo and nature 2 sanitizer, then invest that money into a Taylor 2006 test kit. Amazon.ca does have the odd vendor that ignores the Lowry/Taylor agreement from 1985 which grants Lowry exclusive distribution rights to Taylor kits in Canada, which allow Lowry to sell Taylor 2006 kits for 285$. You can do better on amazon.

 

[HeidiP]

Thank you - having someone who's dealt with the COLD too is helpful. I didn't buy the winter closing kit yet - and I can return the other chemicals to Canadian Tire.

I just had a baby, or I'd have already driven down to the US to pick up a kit for testing (45 mins away, I can do it and get home in time to pick up the other 3 from school) $50-70 USD and ship to US or something like $180 CAD. Ridiculous. Will go this week definitely.

My CYA has hovered around 20 max and usually closer to 0 - it's a weird thing but I have TONS of leaves and acorns and stuff in my pool all summer being under a million huge trees - so I think that drops it. I have been anal about brushing and vacuuming and scooping out leaves. I don't get it.

Definitely have to go to get my test kit because the pool store will stop testing my water soon. I'm not a good customer.

 

[HeidiP]

I know. -40 is the worst. Hopefully very few of those. Heading to SC for November though so that should be nice! I am definitely buying test kits - I should have already, but I was pregnant and huge and miserable and sleep deprived. Now I have a 1 month old and honestly even with lack of sleep feel a million times better. Getting my kit shortly.

- - - Updated - - -

I kind of figured that - because of the chart - but it seemed crazy. OK - so I haven't been able to figure out how to get my CYA up and keep it up. argh!
I will figure that out for next season. Thank you for taking the time to answer!

 

[Teald024]

I just had a baby, or I'd have already driven down to the US to pick up a kit for testing (45 mins away, I can do it and get home in time to pick up the other 3 from school) $50-70 USD and ship to US or something like $180 CAD. Ridiculous. Will go this week definitely.

My CYA has hovered around 20 max and usually closer to 0 - it's a weird thing but I have TONS of leaves and acorns and stuff in my pool all summer being under a million huge trees - so I think that drops it. I have been anal about brushing and vacuuming and scooping out leaves. I don't get it.

Definitely have to go to get my test kit because the pool store will stop testing my water soon. I'm not a good customer.

Heading to SC for November though so that should be nice! I am definitely buying test kits - I should have already, but I was pregnant and huge and miserable and sleep deprived. Now I have a 1 month old and honestly even with lack of sleep feel a million times better. Getting my kit shortly.- - - Updated - - -

I kind of figured that - because of the chart - but it seemed crazy. OK - so I haven't been able to figure out how to get my CYA up and keep it up. argh!
I will figure that out for next season. Thank you for taking the time to answer!

Congratulations on the new baby! Fun but very tiring, hopefully the older ones can help out when they can.

The leaves and other organic stuff doesn't change the CYA. Only water removal and certain kinds of bacteria can reduce the CYA. If you are backwashing to clean the filter or vacuuming to waste a lot, it can remove a lot of water. Other than that, splash out or draining are the only usual ways. If you have been able to keep FC elevated, then the bacteria isn't the most likely reason.

We highly recommend the TF-100 test kit. Unfortunately it isn't available in a store to buy. But if you are going to the US (South Carolina) this fall and will be there for a few days, you may be able to coordinate to have the test kit shipped there. They ship out of North Carolina. Contact TFTest Kits , they are very helpful.

We recommend using granular CYA, hanging in a sock in front of the return. With a SWG, dose to 70-80 ppm.

 

[HeidiP]

Thank you! We could NOT get this stuff to dissolve so I will put the remaining dose in front of the return. We are in SC for 7 days in one spot, so I will arrange to have my package shipped JUST prior to going. Hopefully that works out for me. I have found a taylor 2006 that a neighbour is selling locally so I guess I don't get to go down shopping in the US until my SC trip.

My older kids are helpful with other stuff but I'm the pool guy in my house. Thank you for your help!!