Has TFP's opinion on swimming in high chlorine changed?

[TheHomeGuru]

I learned a few years ago from this forum that swimmers need not wait for chlorine to drop to 4ppm after a shock treatment to use the pool. I've seen answers from TFP experts say numbers as high as 17ppm of free and total chlorine was just fine.
So today I was in a Facebook group and a person was asking howbto get her chlorine down from 12 and I said if the PH and combined chlorine were good that she could let people swim. That reply was deleted by the moderator. I started another post asking the same question and when I replied to a comment that said "no", I tried to link a TFP forum post on the subject. That was immediately declined. It did not violate any terms. Outside links are allowed as long as it isn't a sales ad.
So was I handing out dangerous information or are the mods over there just wrong, or are they affiliated with a couple products I see mentioned all the time. Specifically, Pool RX and Filter Balls.

 

[Antlo]

It would depend on the CYA levels also, there isn't a magic number to aim for from what I've learned on here. It's a matter of FC/CYA relationship!

 

[ajw22]

Safe to swim depends on your CYA level. FC up to SLAM FC level (40% of CYA) is safe to swim. This should be as measured by an accurate test kit and not a Pool Store.

Any pH above 7.0 is safe to swim.

Bottom of pool should be visible for safety.

 

[Newdude]

I learned a few years ago from this forum that swimmers need not wait for chlorine to drop to 4ppm after a shock treatment to use the pool.

Swimming is safe between min and SLAM per one's CYA level.



The 'harshness' comes from the active HOCL Content which with CYA and SLAM FC is less than that of 1FC in 0 CYA tap water. And tap water may have up to 4 FC.

The industry has stuck its head in the sand regarding CYA's buffering effects on FC. We can't control them or anyone following them if they shun science.

Further reading: FC/CYA Levels

 

[Donldson]

So today I was in a Facebook group and a person was asking howbto get her chlorine down from 12 and I said if the PH and combined chlorine were good that she could let people swim.

This is a case where everyone is wrong.

The mods are wrong and likely very wrong with their understanding of pool chemistry. The theories and fears pushed on pool Facebook groups make me shudder.

But you were also wrong to suggest a safe FC level without any reference to CYA level. You will also find that referencing TFP to most pool groups outside of TFP will not be met kindly. Most of these groups are either managed by industry members who has a company line to toe, or people who are deathly afraid of chlorine and would rather swim in the most unsanitary metal-laden water than allow a drop of 1 ppm FC water to touch them. Neither much cares for the conflicting information we provide. And in fairness it works both ways, as the person who literally asked to be deemed the "alternative sanitation expert" here found out.

I'd consider spending more time here than on FB groups. Understand why we say what we say, don't just repeat what you think you remember. There's a lot that can be learned beyond a few charts and graphs. The more you learn the more the advice you see elsewhere appears to be coming from places of confusion or "usually works for me" than from actual knowledge of water chemistry.

 

[duraleigh]

Donldson,

Excellent post ! 5 Gold Stars

 

[Newdude]

What tweaks my melons about all these algae control products / devices is that everyone pushing them is entirely ok with needing algae control. Here, buy an ionizer / UV / Ozone device, or add a bunch of shock/ algecide (probably copper based) / clarifier to control your algae.

Here's a thought. For just a small expense and equally small effort..... have a sanitary pool that algae can't grow in. Then you don't need algae control.

But that's not profitable, so.

 

[Darin]

swimmers need not wait for chlorine to drop to 4ppm

realize that 4 ppm is so low that it is an acceptable level in chlorine so much that it meets drinking water standards. so if you take a cool bath, it is 4 ppm. triple that to 12 ppm, ya i am good with that with 0 CYA.
There are some real goofy people out there on FB.

 

[Lake Placid]

SNIP <But that's not profitable, so.> SNIP

/Rant on
Consumers share a lot of responsibility/blame in this as well. It’s easier and convenient to slam some pucks in a feeder and dump some mystery goo in your pool and swim in it. Most folks don’t take the time to understand the why of water quality/sanitation nor have the inclination or desire to do so. I have too many accounts that are happy with a perceived minimal cash outlay for pucks in spite of marginal water quality and my fervent preaching for them to invest in a SWG for both the lower cost per ppm and the notable increase in water quality they will see. Until consumers wake up and demand more, the industry won’t change.
/Rant off

 

[Water Cat]

I would not swim in a pool right after shocking it. I have stuck my hands in to adjust equipment and gotten very mild but painful scalds doing that.

 

[hexabc]

I would not swim in a pool right after shocking it. I have stuck my hands in to adjust equipment and gotten very mild but painful scalds doing that.

The pool water bit you because you shocked it. (Sorry, couldn't resist )

 

[Lake Placid]

I would not swim in a pool right after shocking it. I have stuck my hands in to adjust equipment and gotten very mild but painful scalds doing that.

I’ve been “bitten” when I’ve inadvertently raised FC over SLAM levels in relationship to the CYA in the water. I’ve never been “bitten” when I’ve paid close attention and remained within the correct ratios.

 

[Decoy205]

That’s why the call it “balancing” your chemistry. The whole thing is about the relationships between the numbers.

 

[duraleigh]

I have to throw the BS flag here. From memory, several years ago we did a calculation that the 6% Clorox you add to your whites in the washing machine turned out to be about 250 ppm.........and no buffering CYA.

I'm sure the resultant mix of wash water was touched by human hands, etc and no reaction resulted. I am likewise sure that 6% clorox can be spilled on human hands with no dilution at all and there will be no "burns".

Unless there was a BIG error in the washing machine calculation above, evan a huge overdose of chlorine should be harmless if you just rinse it off.

 

[Darin]

Second the BS. This is flat out not true.
Get 6% on your hand and they get slippery real fast before you wipe right away but no chem burn. 6% = 60,000 ppm

 

[AUSpool]

I was banned from a pool FB group, never found out why and don’t really care. Pool owners FB groups run by pool shops, a conflict of interest just there.

 

[Katodude]

Life is just easier for me. I don’t have Facebook. So I am stuck coming here for fun.

 

[dereksanders]

I don’t do social media at all. Far too much drama from what I hear others say about it. It’s pleasant here and I actually learn something.

 

[Flboy44]

FB group, I wonder if it is the one that I was thrown out of for posting something that disagreed with the mod as you did. I also had placed a link from TFP and I believe that was what got me kicked out. They were in a panic about moderate levels of phosphates. Also, the mod was pushing his flavor of paid pool school! Would love to know the name of the group!

 

[cledee]

I learned a few years ago from this forum that swimmers need not wait for chlorine to drop to 4ppm after a shock treatment to use the pool. I've seen answers from TFP experts say numbers as high as 17ppm of free and total chlorine was just fine.
So today I was in a Facebook group and a person was asking howbto get her chlorine down from 12 and I said if the PH and combined chlorine were good that she could let people swim. That reply was deleted by the moderator. I started another post asking the same question and when I replied to a comment that said "no", I tried to link a TFP forum post on the subject. That was immediately declined. It did not violate any terms. Outside links are allowed as long as it isn't a sales ad.
So was I handing out dangerous information or are the mods over there just wrong, or are they affiliated with a couple products I see mentioned all the time. Specifically, Pool RX and Filter Balls.

You are better off helping people in this forum. Facebook groups are very hostile against TFP teachings. They think Chlorine is too harsh and don't know or care about the Chlorine/CYA relationship. Any bad advice that is against TFP principles you will find in those groups. Even friends and family are afraid and think I'm crazy, but guess who gets the most compliments on their sparkling pool since 2020?