Hi from Texas

[HermanTX]

Ok - so I must be doing something wrong. If you have a look at my pool math logs, yesterday I dosed 72oz of LC to bring it to 9ppm. This morning when I tested I was between 4.5-5ppm so dosed another 65oz. Is this correct?! I don't see how my wallet can sustain a half gallon of LC every day.

Another thought - after you add the 65 oz - test your FC level again (at least 30 mins after adding to allow for mixing).
did the FC level reach the target?
Your LC could be weaker than 10% is my concern.

 

[Maldravus]

Appears to be a Hayward CS200E and this is what it looks like now.

 

[Maldravus]

It's actually not that bad, it's been a few months since I've cleaned it. I am cleaning it now since I pulled it out to check.

 

[Maldravus]

Ok I spent 30 minutes cleaning it and it looks like new. I also removed the drain plug at the bottom and drained all the water out to spray out the housing. Wow! The bottom was full of mud, tiny insects and small pebbles. It is nice and clean now. Does anyone know how frequently we should perform this?

 

[JJ_Tex]

Take a look at your pressure gauge and note that as your clean pressure. Keep an eye on it and when it goes up by 25%, its time to clean again. My guess is that it would need to be done later in the swim season.

Routine Pump/Filter Maintenance

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[Newdude]

Does anyone know how frequently we should perform this?

Note the pressure of the gauge at full throttle and clean them when it raises 25%. You can do it at low RPM but it's easier to tell 25% of 20 psi (+5) than it is to see 25% of 5psi. (+ 1.25). Or whatever your system runs ar high and low. Just return to the same RPM when you want to check to see if it's time.

Your filter is 200 sq ft of material. It's not big by any means, but if you're not having to break it down frequently, it's not too small wither. Heavy debris times will need cleanings faster with a smaller filter, regardless of the style.

 

[Maldravus]

Another thought - after you add the 65 oz - test your FC level again (at least 30 mins after adding to allow for mixing).
did the FC level reach the target?
Your LC could be weaker than 10% is my concern.

I am going to check this in 30 minutes. I just clocked in at 5ppm FC this morning resulting in another add of 60oz LC to attempt to bring FC up to 9ppm AGAIN. Something doesn't seem right. OCLT test was 0ppm when I did it a week or so ago. Am I crazy or are is this normal to be adding a half gallon of LC a day and not able to hit target?

 

[Newdude]

Am I crazy or are is this normal to be adding a half gallon of LC a day and not able to hit target?

Did you confirm after that you hit 9FC ?

If you didnt, do so next time. If you're hitting the target you can raise the CYA 10 and see if that helps the UV burnoff, but do another OCLT for insurance first.

 

[Maldravus]

Did you confirm after that you hit 9FC ?

If you didnt, do so next time. If you're hitting the target you can raise the CYA 10 and see if that helps the UV burnoff, but do another OCLT for insurance first.

Not yesterday but I just dosed 10 minutes ago and am going to check in 20 to see if it raised to 9ppm.

 

[Newdude]

When things are going great, and everyday goes how you expect, you can trust your gut. You're confirming you're foreseeing it how it plays out correctly with the next test, whether that's today, tomorrow, or next week/month for CYA / TA etc.

If there are *any* hiccups, get your baseline, add to your target, then confirm after mixing accordingly. Then we go from there.

 

[Maldravus]

Just retested approximately 30 minutes after dosing to 9ppm. I came in at 8.5ppm from what I can tell. So I guess it is possible the LC is not quite 10%?

 

[HermanTX]

Just retested approximately 30 minutes after dosing to 9ppm. I came in at 8.5ppm from what I can tell. So I guess it is possible the LC is not quite 10%?

I think that is fine. There is a margin of error of 0.5 (1 drop) so I would say you are hitting your target.

So we are working through the problem of apparently high usage of LC. Some possible causes
Low CYA - I think you tested this again to be 50ppm which is OK for LC.
Presence of Algae - you did a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test test and that was 0 lost of ppm - passed
Weak Chlorine - you just did a test 30 mins after adding LC and is on target.
High UV exposure - is your pool in the sun most of the day? If so, may want to increase CYA to 60 or even 70

@Newdude - any other things to consider?

 

[Maldravus]

I think that is fine. There is a margin of error of 0.5 (1 drop) so I would say you are hitting your target.

So we are working through the problem of apparently high usage of LC. Some possible causes
Low CYA - I think you tested this again to be 50ppm which is OK for LC.
Presence of Algae - you did a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test test and that was 0 lost of ppm - passed
Weak Chlorine - you just did a test 30 mins after adding LC and is on target.
High UV exposure - is your pool in the sun most of the day? If so, may want to increase CYA to 60 or even 70

@Newdude - any other things to consider?

Got it.
I probably need to retest CYA since it's been 15 days. Today is overcast so likely not a great day for it, particularly because I am still not confident in performing that test.
I did an OCLT, I honestly cannot tell you when exactly but it's within the last 2 weeks. It was 0. Additionally, my CC usually clocks in at 0.0ppm from what I can tell. The pool is also clean and clear.
Weak chlorine does seem to be out given the most recent retest results.
High UV exposure - yes, the pool is in direct sunlight most of the day. The weather has been a bit strange lately but on days where we get sunshine, it is fully exposed from ~9am - ~8pm.

 

[Newdude]

Herman is on the money above. Your bleach is strong enough within reason so you're hitting your target. Seemingly excessive FC loss is algae or CYA too low for that point in the season. (It may need to go up now, and maybe even again later).

Rule out algae with an OCLT. Lots can happen in a week or two.

If you pass, add 10 CYA and road test the FC loss once the CYA is well mixed

 

[Maldravus]

Herman is on the money above. Your bleach is strong enough within reason so you're hitting your target. Seemingly excessive FC loss is algae or CYA too low for that point in the season. (It may need to go up now, and maybe even again later).

Rule out algae with an OCLT. Lots can happen in a week or two.

If you pass, add 10 CYA and road test the FC loss once the CYA is well mixed

I will perform another OCLT tonight and see where we land tomorrow. I started TFP mid-March if I recall and my CYA was ~50-60. So I have not used pucks for a while.

 

[Newdude]

Providing you pass the OCLT, you'll be helping me feel better. You see, a great many of us realize our CYA dipped when we see excessive loss. Like every dang last time it happens.

Regular testing saves each and every one of us, each and every last time, because we see the red flags before the emergency.

 

[Maldravus]

Right, so I completely forgot to do an OCLT last night. I will perform one tonight and then test tomorrow morning and provide results. With that said I just did my morning tests and clocked in at 5ppm again, resulting in another 60oz dose of LC. Yesterday was mostly cloudy with a bit of sun in the late afternoon. A couple of things that may be relevant;

1) My pump is currently running 24/7 as the heat pump requires 2500rpm in order to work. I am guessing not but could this play into the larger than expected daily FC loss?
2) My CC is usually, if not always, 0.0. This leads me to believe there is likely no algae buildup but again, can be proven this evening with an OCLT.
3) The water is extremely clean and clear. If the wind is not moving it resembles glass and you can see the floor perfectly. Again hints at possibly not an algae issue but maybe more of a low CYA issue.
4) Today is forecasted to be completely cloudy all day so it will be very interesting to see what the FC clocks in at this evening.
5) I am dosing daily to hit the high end of my target, which is 9ppm, of FC.

 

[PoolStored]

1) My pump is currently running 24/7 as the heat pump requires 2500rpm in order to work. I am guessing not but could this play into the larger than expected daily FC loss?

Heater has minimal impact on FC loss.

2) My CC is usually, if not always, 0.0. This leads me to believe there is likely no algae buildup but again, can be proven this evening with an OCLT.

Algae can occur without CC.

3) The water is extremely clean and clear. If the wind is not moving it resembles glass and you can see the floor perfectly. Again hints at possibly not an algae issue but maybe more of a low CYA issue.

Neven know until you OCLT.

4) Today is forecasted to be completely cloudy all day so it will be very interesting to see what the FC clocks in at this evening.

Yep.

5) I am dosing daily to hit the high end of my target, which is 9ppm, of FC.

You should dose so that you are in range for your FC, when you test.

 

[Maldravus]

I guess I should add that I understand overcast does not = no UV rays, so maybe

Heater has minimal impact on FC loss.

Algae can occur without CC.

Neven know until you OCLT.

Yep.

You should dose so that you are in range for your FC, when you test.

Are you of the opinion this amount of daily LC dosing is normal or would you be concerned something else is going on?

 

[PoolStored]

Are you of the opinion this amount of daily LC dosing is normal or would you be concerned something else is going on?

60oz of 10% is 4.3FC in your pool. Seems to be on the high side for Austin this time of year, but in full sun, maybe.
You did let your FC get to 2.5 4 days ago, so maybe something is brewing.
Best bet is to do the OCLT.