How to keep chlorine balanced when pool math says add nothing

[ChrisPickering]

Hello, I am a newbie to pool ownership. As noted in my signature below, I have a 15' round x 48" deep Intec softside pool. We have had it up since early May and until it turned green around June 25th, we have been enjoying it.

The reason it turned green, in my estimation, was a combination of a lot of rain and thunderstorms (almost daily since the pool was setup) and also that my readings on the CL were showing that they were good, so pool math would show that I didnt need to add anything. I now understand that the CL levels are constantly dropping as the pool sits in full sun from dawn to dusk.

I am now using the Clorox app to read my 6 point test strips and making sure to stay on top of TC and FC levels twice a day until I get them leveled (CYA also)

My TC and FC graphs are all over the place, but if I want to maintain a level of 3ppm FC and the pool measures at that rate in the AM, how do I calculate what needs to be added to keep it there until tomorrow morning? Or should I be doing this in the evening? Or should I be focused on something entirely different?

My readings as of midday 7/10/18 are
Total Hardness 0 (Is this the same as CH?)
TC 3
FC 1
Ph 6.2
TA 120
CYA 0

At 8am this morning
TC 5
FC 3
CYA 0

Yesterday, I added 20oz of CYA that was dissolved in a bucket before adding to the pool.

 

[Frankie5esr]

Welcome, I am newbie when it comes to pools but from what i've read is to get your PH levels between 7.2 -7.6 so that the FC work efficiently. So i would focus on getting your PH levels up then it would be easier to maintain your chlorine levels.

 

[MannyT]

Test Strips are very unreliable and using the Chlorox App with them is not much better. According to your 8am reading your TC 5 and FC 3 means you have CC of 2 which is not good. You need a better test kit. Also, if your PH is 6.2 it needs to be raised but again that can't be trusted because of your test strips.

 

[linuxninja00]

Welcome,

Rain and thunderstorms haven't ever turned my pool green and shouldn't with a TFPC pool with proper levels maintained. There's likely something else going on, but you'll need a reliable test kit like the TF-100 test kit. Only then can we get you on the road to a trouble free pool. With a CYA of previously 0, any chlorine you added was likely burnt off in a matter of a couple hours in GA sun.

 

[Mendy48]

Welcome!!!

The first thing you'll need to do is get a reliable test kit. We recommend the TF100 from TFTestKits.net or the Taylor K-2006C. As stated previously, test strips aren't reliable and neither are the tests done at pool store, so I recommend you invest in a test kit. Once you get your test kit, post your results, here, for FC, CC, pH, TA, CH and CYA. (TC is not relevant right now).

Assuming the results you have are correct, it tells me that your chlorine won't hold at all with a "0" CYA. Your FC will be eaten up by the UV (sun) in a very fast pace since you have no CYA. You need to not only bring your CYA up to a 30, but you'll also need to increase your pH to a 7.2. Once you've done that, you'll need to SLAM your pool. However, you need to get your own test kit first.

PoolMath is very simple to use. For instance, assuming your CYA is 0, you'll want to put 30 as your target. You'll also want to add the gallons of your pool at the very top (left) of PoolMath. When you do that, it calculates what you need automatically.

Nevertheless, here are some links that you can read up on to help you...
Pool School - Read This BEFORE You Post
Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Pool School - How to Chlorinate Your Pool
Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals
Pool School - SLAM - Shock Level And Maintain

Hello, I am a newbie to pool ownership. As noted in my signature below, I have a 15' round x 48" deep Intec softside pool. We have had it up since early May and until it turned green around June 25th, we have been enjoying it.

The reason it turned green, in my estimation, was a combination of a lot of rain and thunderstorms (almost daily since the pool was setup) and also that my readings on the CL were showing that they were good, so pool math would show that I didnt need to add anything. I now understand that the CL levels are constantly dropping as the pool sits in full sun from dawn to dusk.

I am now using the Clorox app to read my 6 point test strips and making sure to stay on top of TC and FC levels twice a day until I get them leveled (CYA also)

My TC and FC graphs are all over the place, but if I want to maintain a level of 3ppm FC and the pool measures at that rate in the AM, how do I calculate what needs to be added to keep it there until tomorrow morning? Or should I be doing this in the evening? Or should I be focused on something entirely different?

My readings as of midday 7/10/18 are
Total Hardness 0 (Is this the same as CH?)
TC 3
FC 1
Ph 6.2
TA 120
CYA 0

At 8am this morning
TC 5
FC 3
CYA 0

Yesterday, I added 20oz of CYA that was dissolved in a bucket before adding to the pool.

 

[ChrisPickering]

Welcome!!!

The first thing you'll need to do is get a reliable test kit. We recommend the TF100 from TFTestKits.net or the Taylor K-2006C. As stated previously, test strips aren't reliable and neither are the tests done at pool store, so I recommend you invest in a test kit. Once you get your test kit, post your results, here, for FC, CC, pH, TA, CH and CYA. (TC is not relevant right now).

Assuming the results you have are correct, it tells me that your chlorine won't hold at all with a "0" CYA. Your FC will be eaten up by the UV (sun) in a very fast pace since you have no CYA. You need to not only bring your CYA up to a 30, but you'll also need to increase your pH to a 7.2. Once you've done that, you'll need to SLAM your pool. However, you need to get your own test kit first.

PoolMath is very simple to use. For instance, assuming your CYA is 0, you'll want to put 30 as your target. You'll also want to add the gallons of your pool at the very top (left) of PoolMath. When you do that, it calculates what you need automatically.

Nevertheless, here are some links that you can read up on to help you...
Pool School - Read This BEFORE You Post
Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Pool School - How to Chlorinate Your Pool
Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals
Pool School - SLAM - Shock Level And Maintain

Thank you for your kind reply!

Yes, pool math is one of the best things I have found on the net and it is very easy to use!

And I do see your point about the test strips as being inconsistent and unreliable. I follow what the test strip showed and put in half the washing soda suggested to raise the pH from 6.2 to 7.2 and ended up the next morning with 8.4. So, I'll be stopping by a pool store to get a better testing rig today.

My CYA shows as 50 now. And pH shows to be mid 7 so I will SLAM next.

My question now is what causes CYA to rise to levels above 100 if I am not adding any stabilizer to the pool? My other question is if I show a level of 3ppm of Cl at 8am and pool math says to not add anything, but I have a level of 0 at 8pm, what am I doing wrong?

Thank you!

 

[MrBfromNC]

And I do see your point about the test strips as being inconsistent and unreliable. I follow what the test strip showed and put in half the washing soda suggested to raise the pH from 6.2 to 7.2 and ended up the next morning with 8.4. So, I'll be stopping by a pool store to get a better testing rig today.

Chris, I very seriously doubt your local pool store will have the type of test kit that we recommend here at TFP. They may tell you it's the same thing, but it probably is NOT.

Order one online at: http://tftestkits.net/Test-Kits-c4/

and in no time at all, you'll consider it the very best investment you could have ever made in your pool. You know how Smokey the Bear says, "Only you can prevent forest fires"? Well, in this case, "Only YOU and the TF100 can test your water accurately"

 

[mknauss]

Your CYA only rises because you add to the water. There is no natural source.

CYA is in Trichlor (pucks), Dichlor (pool store shock), and stabilizer/conditioner.

 

[Teald024]

Hello and Welcome to TFP!

Some great links to Pool School were given above. One more important link is the article on Seasonal/Temporary pools . You can follow this modified care of TFP practices since you have a relatively small pool.

My question now is what causes CYA to rise to levels above 100 if I am not adding any stabilizer to the pool? My other question is if I show a level of 3ppm of Cl at 8am and pool math says to not add anything, but I have a level of 0 at 8pm, what am I doing wrong?

What have you been using to add chlorine to the pool? Trichlor pucks and bags of dichlor powder all contain CYA, at least 50% in some cases. Just using these products alone will raise the CYA.
If you test in the morning, which is fine, you have to add the amount of chlorine that you know will get used up during the day. until you get a good feel for what your pool consumes, estimate about 3ppm will be lost during the day. You can adjust as necessary if this isn't exactly what your pool uses. Also, I want to point out that as your CYA increases, so does the required FC level. Use the [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA] to determine the levels you need. Use the vinyl without swg section.

 

[ChrisPickering]

Chris, I very seriously doubt your local pool store will have the type of test kit that we recommend here at TFP. They may tell you it's the same thing, but it probably is NOT.

Order one online at: http://tftestkits.net/Test-Kits-c4/

and in no time at all, you'll consider it the very best investment you could have ever made in your pool. You know how Smokey the Bear says, "Only you can prevent forest fires"? Well, in this case, "Only YOU and the TF100 can test your water accurately"

Ok, I'll head on over and make an investment. The family says they are loving the pool, so I am sure it will be back next year and I am sure there is a more permanent above ground fixture coming soon. I feel like a pushover, but I also think the family time that does not include anything electronic is going to be worth it.

My question about the TF 100 is what I really need to buy. Do I just need what you linked or are there other items that are smart?

 

[Teald024]

The TF-100 test kit contains all you need for a non-SWG pool. Many folks like to add on the stirrer. You may get free shipping if you do. You can get an extra blue scooper or two for less than a buck (I lost line & had to reorder )