Should be here between the 23rd and 29th. Reaaaaaalllly hoping to avoid a SLAM as I am way to busy with family stuff and work right now.
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Greetings...newbie checking in....
- Thread starter molardog
- Start date
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- Jan 4, 2016
- 5,288
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- 44000
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- Chlorine
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That's a long time, so we need the CYA number.
All I can think of is to take 4 samples of water (rinsed out water bottle, whatever) to 4 pool stores. It will be very educational, haha. Get them to test your water and tell us all 4 results for CYA. No need to type all the other results. They'll do it really quick and then try to sell you chems. Don't buy any. (but you can check their price for 12.5% chlorinating liquid)
In the meantime, we'll assume 50 PPM CYA as a shot in the dark from the guess-strip and what your pool builder put in. Keep your FC at 4 and above at all times, target of 5 PPM FC. If it were me, I'd say up to 12 PPM FC is OK for swimming, in case the CYA is only 30 from the pool builder, but that number is your judgment call. Maintain it using the SWC and bleach top-ups as needed.
The experts will correct me if that's out of line. Truth is, we should have a self-tested CYA number we can rely on.
All I can think of is to take 4 samples of water (rinsed out water bottle, whatever) to 4 pool stores. It will be very educational, haha. Get them to test your water and tell us all 4 results for CYA. No need to type all the other results. They'll do it really quick and then try to sell you chems. Don't buy any. (but you can check their price for 12.5% chlorinating liquid)
In the meantime, we'll assume 50 PPM CYA as a shot in the dark from the guess-strip and what your pool builder put in. Keep your FC at 4 and above at all times, target of 5 PPM FC. If it were me, I'd say up to 12 PPM FC is OK for swimming, in case the CYA is only 30 from the pool builder, but that number is your judgment call. Maintain it using the SWC and bleach top-ups as needed.
The experts will correct me if that's out of line. Truth is, we should have a self-tested CYA number we can rely on.
Keep your FC up around 8 or 9 if your CYA is 50 and brush the pool. This might help to avoid a SLAM.
Good news....Amazon to the rescue again. Being the impatient person I am I just ordered a Blue Devil B7524C CYA test and it will be here tomorrow.
I am going to end up with a rather large assemblage of test kits.
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I am going to end up with a rather large assemblage of test kits.
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Btw I bought some 10% chlorinating liquid at wall world today for $2.50/gallon.
What is the going rate at the pool store for this magical stuff?
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What is the going rate at the pool store for this magical stuff?
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Ha-ha...can't wait to tell the wife to get cracking with the brush while I am at work!
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- Jan 4, 2016
- 5,288
- Pool Size
- 44000
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- Chlorine
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Well with the limited tools I have on hand there does not appear to be a change in the FC from overnight. DPD and test strip still indicating 5 ppm. I need that FAS-DPD test to get here.
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- Jan 4, 2016
- 5,288
- Pool Size
- 44000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
OK, remember to take it up to 9 PPM FC. That will hold it and we may be in good shape. The passed OCLT is a very good indication. 
Well got the cya test done....30 ppm. So now I need to lower my pH and raise my CYA....should I do one before the other?
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Just lower PH. I wouldn't raise CYA until you pass an OCLT with an FAS/DPD chlorine test.
- Jul 3, 2013
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- CircuPool SJ-40
- Jan 4, 2016
- 5,288
- Pool Size
- 44000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
If you can, put your brush in the deep end and take a picture when it's sunny, so we can see how the water looks.
In case you end up needing a SLAM, keeping your CYA low makes the SLAM easier. You'll still get most of the UV protection. You just sacrifice a bit of SWG benefit.
Without the reliable test, continue to keep your FC higher than target. If it was me, I'd use a bare minimum of 5 between chlorine additions and shoot for 8 or 9 when adding liquid chlorine, until I had the FAS-DPD test. Totally safe for swimming and no one will sense the chlorine. You'll lose more FC during the day because of the lower CYA protection until it's all dialed in.
In case you end up needing a SLAM, keeping your CYA low makes the SLAM easier. You'll still get most of the UV protection. You just sacrifice a bit of SWG benefit.
Without the reliable test, continue to keep your FC higher than target. If it was me, I'd use a bare minimum of 5 between chlorine additions and shoot for 8 or 9 when adding liquid chlorine, until I had the FAS-DPD test. Totally safe for swimming and no one will sense the chlorine. You'll lose more FC during the day because of the lower CYA protection until it's all dialed in.
I'll see if I can get a pic uploaded tomorrow. In the meantime it looks like I need to buy all the liquid chlorine the local wally world has.
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- Jan 4, 2016
- 5,288
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Hahaha, just don't wear a hoodie, bandana or eye patch. Hopefully the SWG meets most of the daily demand.
Took this pic in the deep end yesterday...been running swg @100% for last two days 20 hrs/day along with adding 10% bleach as instructed. Brought the pH down yesterday to 7.8 with 2 gal of MA...
FAS-DPD kit showed up today as well so will be doing OCLT tonight. FC currently at 11.5. We got zero sunshine today so I guess my swg is doing its job!
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- Jan 4, 2016
- 5,288
- Pool Size
- 44000
- Surface
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- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
Excellent, the water looks great!!! So you have your TF100 test kit now?
We were targeting 8 or 9 and hit 11.5, that's high but not too bad. No liquid chlorine needed of course.
And are you sure CYA is at 30 now? Everything is looking good, and subject to the successful OCLT, you'll need to raise the CYA soon.
For OCLT, do the baseline FC test after any added chemicals have had time to mix. For the morning test to complete the OCLT, test the water before sunrise.
We were targeting 8 or 9 and hit 11.5, that's high but not too bad. No liquid chlorine needed of course.
And are you sure CYA is at 30 now? Everything is looking good, and subject to the successful OCLT, you'll need to raise the CYA soon.
For OCLT, do the baseline FC test after any added chemicals have had time to mix. For the morning test to complete the OCLT, test the water before sunrise.
Tf100 is still on the way. Got my hands on a separate Taylor FAS-DPD from Amazon however that showed up today. For some reason I like to order test kits.
Ran the cya turbidity test a couple of times and came out right at 30 ppm each time.
Will report back in the morning with another FC reading...
Is 11.5 ok to swim in?
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