High FC and PH

[tcat]

I'm going to convert to SWG in a few weeks. Decided to take the corner off my cover and test a few things today. I can't seem to check FC or PH. Deep red and deep purple that don't seem to change (after 30 drops). I'd been adding about 1/3 the usual summer bleach with Stenner all winter. Is PH hard to measure until FC is brought down? I turned off the Stenner, will check in a week. Cover on pool at 60F. I'll likely drain 30%, since I know my CH is also high. Waiting on tf100 refill kit to test again when it comes.

 

[mknauss]

pH test is not a viable result if FC is above 10 ppm.

 

[BenB]

I'd been adding about 1/3 the usual summer bleach with Stenner all winter.

Wouldn't be surprised if that's the issue - your FC requirements over winter will drop to almost zero, so you probably genuinely do have very high FC - easily above 15 which is what your 30 drops got you to.

I'd try again with a 5ml sample and then each drop will count as 1 FC instead of 0.5FC. Will save you some drops and give you a ballpark as to where your chlorine really is.

 

[tcat]

Yeah, likely 15-20. Earlier in the winter my Stenner tubing was clogged and FC got to 0-1. I typically put two gallons of 10% in the tank + 4 gallons water. Can't win, but I take the blame for not checking more frequently during "winter" (cold maybe a week or two in Austin). Hopefully this weekend it's the last cold one!

 

[Newdude]

Can't win, but I take the blame for not checking more frequently during "winter"

Know what Tcat ? You *did* win. Because this is arguably the most frequent screw up of SWG people. They set it and forget it. Imagine how complacent you can get when there is 10k hours of chlorine production out back, instad of 4 gallons. Yeah. Several great tests in, folks go all Pfffffft it's fine, and let it be. In the first half of the season, you under produce at some point and inherit a swamp. In the back half of the season, you overproduce like you did just now.

Had you learned this a couple of months from now, the cure would have been alot more than shutting it off for a while. We can tell you all this stuff, but it sinks in way better when you slap your own head about it.