Good to hear it sounds like something fixable. I do t have any sort of automation so can’t help with any advice.
For real, what's going on with my chlorine level?
- Thread starter hawkmoon7
- Start date
It is always hard when there is more than one contributing factor. My stagnant bypass return and the Intellicenter/SWG issues may have both played a part. I'm going to monitor everything daily for awhile and see if things begin to settle into something that takes less than near constant oversight!
In SLAM mode... went from 25 to 20 in about 4 hours. Raised it back up to 25 for the night. Will do an overnight loss test tomorrow morning.
Losing 4 during the day is within the normal range, maybe on the high end of it.
Katodude
Silver Supporter
- Aug 22, 2017
- 3,004
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- 15000
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- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I would not worry about doing an OCLT yet. Let’s keep your pool in SLAM level for a couple of days. This is a good time to circulate water through all the pipes and water features that you talked about.
We will discuss your shrinking CYA after the SLAM
We will discuss your shrinking CYA after the SLAM
Only needed to raise 1.5ppm this morning.
I also realized there is a second pipe that doesn't get frequent circulation... The air blower to my spa will fill with water when it is off. 80 feet long x 1.5 inch wide. When we turn it on, it takes a bit for the air to push the stagnant water out of the pipe. We use it every so often (but it can go unused for a few weeks at a time), but it gets some periodic circulation. I've updated my system to run the blower for a few minutes each day to flush that standing water out of the pipe on a regular basis.
I also realized there is a second pipe that doesn't get frequent circulation... The air blower to my spa will fill with water when it is off. 80 feet long x 1.5 inch wide. When we turn it on, it takes a bit for the air to push the stagnant water out of the pipe. We use it every so often (but it can go unused for a few weeks at a time), but it gets some periodic circulation. I've updated my system to run the blower for a few minutes each day to flush that standing water out of the pipe on a regular basis.
I finally received my ammonia test kit to maybe get a clue about my CYA loss. I'm also about 24 hours into the SLAM, so I don't know how revealing it will be. Test shows maybe .25 ppm or slightly less of ammonia.
Tested at 20ppm this evening. I topped it back up to 25.
I also ordered a 16 oz. bottle of R-0871. More than I will use this year, but it was either that or a 2oz that won't make it through the summer. I'll end up discarding a bunch of it a year from now, but I think it's probably still the most cost effective way to go. I'll just set it next to my 48 ozs of r-0013!
Tested at 20ppm this evening. I topped it back up to 25.
I also ordered a 16 oz. bottle of R-0871. More than I will use this year, but it was either that or a 2oz that won't make it through the summer. I'll end up discarding a bunch of it a year from now, but I think it's probably still the most cost effective way to go. I'll just set it next to my 48 ozs of r-0013!
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23.5ppm this morning (loss of 1.5 overnight WITH the SWG running @ 100%). Topped it off to 25 this morning. Water still looks perfect.
CYA came in maybe a hair above the 50 line. Would it be correct to now let the Fc drift down a bit to maybe 20-22 considering the current CYA readings?
Also, I understand that some CYA loss is expected during a SLAM... so this is normal, right? And if chlorine levels are really high in the SWG itself, would this increase degradation of CYA?
When is a good time to clean out my filter? During or after the SLAM?
CYA came in maybe a hair above the 50 line. Would it be correct to now let the Fc drift down a bit to maybe 20-22 considering the current CYA readings?
Also, I understand that some CYA loss is expected during a SLAM... so this is normal, right? And if chlorine levels are really high in the SWG itself, would this increase degradation of CYA?
When is a good time to clean out my filter? During or after the SLAM?
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- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,053
- Pool Size
- 17888
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- Fiberglass
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- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
There can be a slightly accelerated degradation of CYA when FC is high. It won't effect the CYA testing itself though. Clean your filter when you suspect the pressure has increased by about 25%.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,050
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- 26000
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- Vinyl
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- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Erring on the side of caution with fc & cya during SLAM Process is best so u know u are killing nasties efficiently & not under chlorinating. A cya reading Anywhere between 50 & 60 counts as 60 so slam level is 24. This way u know you’re covered. This is not the time to back off. Doing so can make things drag on & use more chlorine in the end.
Mid-day test. It's been overcast, but chlorine still down 2.5ppm. Just topped it back up to 25ppm. Water looks crystal clear. All lines being flushed and circulated.
Rained all day, and very heavy. Haven't seen rain like that in a while. Added a half inch to the pool
Fc at 16.5. That's a huge hit, right? Adding 1.2 gallons of shock to get it back up to 25ppm for the night. CYA looks like 50.
Fc at 16.5. That's a huge hit, right? Adding 1.2 gallons of shock to get it back up to 25ppm for the night. CYA looks like 50.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,053
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
It's okay. You're still on top of things. Doing good.
Fc at 21ppm this morning, raising to 25. SWG still at 100%. CYA clearly at most 50, maybe even slightly less. Overcast and rainy today. Water still looks perfect.
I wonder if the rain washing through the screened enclosure yesterday rinses a lot of nasties in the water, because yesterday was a 1/3 drop of Fc over 5 hours with only 1/2 inch of water and it being overcast all day. Depending on how today's rain goes, I may have to remove some water.
By the way, I love these little plastic pipettes. I got them on Amazon in a 50 pack for a few bucks (they are 3ml size) and I keep one in my test kit. They are perfect for adding or subtracting a bit of water to get to the right sample sizes. My fat fingers are useless for that, and constantly pouring out too much and adding back too much water gets tiresome. I also use them with the CYA test to sort of go back and forth a bit as I watch the dot appear and disappear... really helps me take better readings. They are technically "disposable" but they each last a very long time. Amazon link if anyone's interested
I wonder if the rain washing through the screened enclosure yesterday rinses a lot of nasties in the water, because yesterday was a 1/3 drop of Fc over 5 hours with only 1/2 inch of water and it being overcast all day. Depending on how today's rain goes, I may have to remove some water.
By the way, I love these little plastic pipettes. I got them on Amazon in a 50 pack for a few bucks (they are 3ml size) and I keep one in my test kit. They are perfect for adding or subtracting a bit of water to get to the right sample sizes. My fat fingers are useless for that, and constantly pouring out too much and adding back too much water gets tiresome. I also use them with the CYA test to sort of go back and forth a bit as I watch the dot appear and disappear... really helps me take better readings. They are technically "disposable" but they each last a very long time. Amazon link if anyone's interested
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Orion7319
Bronze Supporter
- Jul 1, 2020
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I have a bunch of those as well. What works better though is the Taylor samplesizer. It only works with the tubes from the Taylor test kits.
Amazon.com : Taylor 6190 - Samplesizer, 10 & 25 Ml, Anodized Aluminum : Swimming Pool Liquid Test Kits : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Amazon.com : Taylor 6190 - Samplesizer, 10 & 25 Ml, Anodized Aluminum : Swimming Pool Liquid Test Kits : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
Amazon.com : Taylor Sample Tube 10-25ml 9198 : Swimming Pool Liquid Test Kits : Garden & Outdoor
Amazon.com : Taylor Sample Tube 10-25ml 9198 : Swimming Pool Liquid Test Kits : Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,050
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Great idea
I have a bunch of these! I use them to make ejuice. When i get out of this hot tub I am throwing one in the kit!
Rain has little effect on Pool Water chemistry. If you get one inch of rain in a pool that averages 48 inches (most do), that's a 2% dilution. If your FC is 20 it dilutes to 19.6. The point is the rain is an inconvenience but really no change unless you get maybe 4+ inches added to your pool.
Thanks. I was surprised by the Fc drop that day, but I guess that's the point of the SLAM. We got 2.5 inches over those 5 hours. Thankfully, most of my pool is shielded, so I only added a fraction of that.
Orion7319
Bronze Supporter
- Jul 1, 2020
- 1,442
- Pool Size
- 19775
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- Vinyl
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- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
It’s awesome! I’ve had mine about 2 years now. Absolutely guarantees a consistent sample size every time.