Hi from Texas

I am understanding more every day, so thanks for the replies. My plan of action for now is to continue testing and logging daily, keeping a single puck in the chlorinator and maintaining my FC at recommended levels using LC. I will test CYA biweekly. If my PH or TA increases to 8.0 or 100, I will perform an MA treatment.
Sounds like a plan. Just make sure you give yourself some wiggle room for when you need to use the pucks (like 1-2 week vacations, etc.).
 
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I guess I should stop saying “last question” because I’m clearly lying. When y’all test CH - do you go by the number of drops for when it changes to a purple-ish? Or do you continue adding until it is a darker shade of blue? The TA test is a bit easier because it’s instant but this seems to be more of a slow transition.
 
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Dunno because I'm living proof that calcium doesn't matter for some of us. :ROFLMAO:

I have to read the instructions once a year that I test because I ramdomly got curious about it.

Hang tight.
 
The purple color during the CH test is what is called fading endpoint. It is due to metals in your water. You need to go until you get blue. But you might try using the fading endpoint procedure. Read Calcium Hardness
 
Thanks. Can you elaborate a bit? If it is certain that an 8oz puck will add 3ppm per puck how then will you sometimes not see an increase in CYA? Is that because CYA will deplete at an equal rate?
Remember that the data provided for effects of adding a single puck implies it is fully dissolved. Depending on your setting that could be a week or more of pump run time. So measuring the effects of that single puck is very hard especially when we are measuring
FC in 0.5 ppm increments
pH in 0.2 increments
CYA in 10 ppm increments

Don’t try to be too precise or you go crazy with the numbers.
 
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Dunno because I'm living proof that calcium doesn't matter for some of us. :ROFLMAO:

I have to read the instructions once a year that I test because I ramdomly got curious about it.

Hang tight.

I’ve been told this since day 1. I did a bit of research and appears it may come into play if you have a heat pump, which we do. However from what I can tell it only becomes an issue if your CH is very high. Seems it can damage internal components over time.
 
The purple color during the CH test is what is called fading endpoint. It is due to metals in your water. You need to go until you get blue. But you might try using the fading endpoint procedure. Read Calcium Hardness

Got it and read it. Thanks! I ordered a Speedstir and am already getting more comfortable performing these daily tests. Given what you said and the contents of that article, it appears my CH is about 30ppm higher, which seems good. Attached this mornings results.
 

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I do have a question for down the road. Right now, my CC is at or below 0.5 (the test results are very mildly pink which turn clear with a single drop). However I expect I will need to perform the SLAM process at some point. Once again, Leslie's has already sold me (a few weeks ago, before I discovered TFP) a box of 12 packets of "shock" - I looked and these are 73% Calcium Hyperchlorite. My question is can I use these up during the SLAM process? Or am I once again out ~$120?
 
I looked and these are 73% Sodium Hyperchlorite.
Sure it's not Calcium Hypochlorite ? Poolplus 73 shock from Leslie's is cal-hypo.

Its fine but also adds calcium, here's the expected changes for 10lbs over time

Screenshot_20250324_105720.jpg


Use them sparingly like the tabs or sell them on FB too.

When used in large doses, cal-hypo can cause cloudiness for a couple days
 
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Sure it's not Calcium Hypochlorite ? Poolplus 73 shock from Leslie's is cal-hypo.

Its fine but also adds calcium, here's the expected changes for 10lbs over time

View attachment 634098


Use them sparingly like the tabs or sell them on FB too.

When used in large doses, cal-hypo can cause cloudiness for a couple days
It was, I was mistaken. I edited it. My CH is on the lower end - ~250. I don't have a need for it now, mainly wanted to know if it can be used when CC is above 0.5 or if I ever see algae.
 
Here you go.
I would suspend the use of the chlorinator. Quickest way to kill a heater. I wouldn't put any more pucks in there...and I'd likely remove whatever pucks are left.
NEVER put any other chemical in the chlorinator. NEVER mix pool chemicals. i.e. don't put cal-hypo in the chlorinator.

 
Or am I once again out ~$120?
Pointing this out for all the spring newbs we'll meet soon who find your thread. Not only does cal-hypo add calcium and cause temporary cloudiness, $54.90 after tax will get you 80 ppm FC with Walmart Pool Essentials chlorinating liquid and only raise the FC.
 
I would suspend the use of the chlorinator. Quickest way to kill a heater. I wouldn't put any more pucks in there...and I'd likely remove whatever pucks are left.
NEVER put any other chemical in the chlorinator. NEVER mix pool chemicals. i.e. don't put cal-hypo in the chlorinator.

I know enough to not mix chemicals or put anything other than the pucks in the chlorinator. Why would the chlorinator kill the heat pump? If this is something well known and documented, why would the pool company not make mention of this and sell us a heat pump with a chlorinator? (Please no sarcastic remarks, very interested in understanding the logic here). This is becoming quite the rollercoaster of emotions. One minute I think I have a plan and things are under control, the next minute I am basically being told equipment we were sold and installed is invalid and should not be used.
 
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Why would the chlorinator kill the heat pump?
(Cyanuric) Acid sits in the chlorinator and eats the valve when it's off, eventually oozing out when the pump is off. Then it eats whatever else is there. Check valves are installed between the heater and tab feeder specifically for this purpose, but the acid eats the check valve too, then the heater.

Its not a question of if, but when. It doesn't take but a year or two.
why would the pool company not make mention of this and sell us a heat pump with a chlorinator?
They all install a check valve, but as anything sacrificial, it only lasts so long. I circled yours.

Screenshot_20250324_112655_Chrome.jpg
 
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This is becoming quite the rollercoaster of emotions.
We get it and generally do our best to use kid gloves to break the news. We have met 'you' lirerally hundreds of thousands of times. We will continue to meet you over and over again, starting from scratch each time with each newb. :)

There's a reason why so many keep seeking us out. Keep an open mind and we'll keep trying to teach you kindly.
 

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