Ideal CYA, Chlorine & Calcium Hardness

[dorgan]

So I've now had to SLAM my pool three different times. The SLAM usually lasts about a week and then the pool goes back to being Chrystal clear for another couple weeks before I start to notice algae starting to creep back.

I've bee keeping my chlorine at 5, and my CYA at 60 and run my pump for about 8 hours a day. I am located in central Florida and just wonder if I should up my CYA/FC level to complete with the brutal sun and small pool size. (Details in signature)

Also for the vinyl liner pool what is an ideal calcium hardness level?

 

[mknauss]

So the minimum your FC has been is 5? Or is that what you are dosing it back to when you add chlorine?

Your target FC is 7-9. So when you dose your chlorine for the day, add enough to get to 11, or 3 ppm above mid-range target.

I would not raise your CYA. 60 is fine.

You do not need any calcium hardness unless your water is foaming. All you need to worry about is it if gets too high.

 

[dorgan]

I believe there was one point where it got down to 4 but that was one time

 

[peirek]

Welcome to TFP. Have you looked at the Chlorine/CYA chart? Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart

Non-SWG: 60 CYA indicates a MINIMUM of 5 with target of 7-9ppm. If using Chlorine only are you adding EVERY day to ensure you never drop below that 5ppm?

 

[dorgan]

Yes I add everyday, there might have been one instance where it went down to 4, but it only happened once. Yes I use Chlorine and add some everyday. Maybe I do need to aim for 9 just to be sure it down go below 5

 

[mknauss]

Your target FC is 7-9. So when you dose your chlorine for the day, add enough to get to 11, or 3 ppm above mid-range target.

Follow the above and you will have no problems.

 

[dorgan]

Ahh ok, would that make it so that I don't have to dose EVERY day?

 

[mknauss]

Nope. For that you need a SWCG.

 

[dorgan]

Ahh ok