Major pool Chemistry problem
- Thread starter Johnny-M
- Start date
Please don't give up now, you're almost done.
You are not the first member to go through this "beat the ammonia" process (which, by the way, you're doing spot on correctly), and I'm sure you won't be the last.
Just remember this process so that you can help the next guy as he's struggling through it.
You are not the first member to go through this "beat the ammonia" process (which, by the way, you're doing spot on correctly), and I'm sure you won't be the last.
Just remember this process so that you can help the next guy as he's struggling through it.
I am not giving up, that's for sure. I am ecstatic the pool is finally clear and no haze. I just have one more test to pass, OCLT. I thought for sure last night was my night to beat whatever is in the water eating CL. Oh well back to work today and back to chemistry experiments after that.
Shouldn't be long now. :-DJohnny-M said:
When you get done, please remember to post a pic of a beautiful sparkly pool for us
Right near the end is the most frustrating time. You're so ready for it to be done and it's looking so good and every day it doesn't pass the test is a dissappointment. Hang in there! It'll be done soon.
I will post picture AFTER I pass the test. I am so superstitious. My luck I would take picture it wouold be perfect to post on the web, but something would happen and in real life it would go south. I have too much invested in Clorox for that to happen.
How do you buy stock in that company anyway. Maybe they would give TFP a discounted rate?
Hopefully posting picture soon!
John
How do you buy stock in that company anyway. Maybe they would give TFP a discounted rate?
Hopefully posting picture soon!
John
Well I knew it I jynxed myself! Pool still looks great but I ran out of FC reagent. 20 drops into my nightly test. Still dark pink, and no more drops. I guess I have to wait for Daves order to get here. My OCD will kill me not knowing where I am at. But I guess i dont have to check before the sun comes up tomorrow. Since it is clear I am just going to put as much bleach in as i did today and assume that my readings are worse than they may be. I will keep you posted. Is there any stores that carry the R0871 reagent excep online?
Some of that POP would be good right now.
John
Some of that POP would be good right now.
John
No Leslie's around here so hopefully it will come in maiol today.
I have a couple questions for the forum.
1. If Borax is an algaestat at 50ppm. Is keeping the FC at a higher daily ppm that crucial in keeping your pool free of organics?
2. At what point in the shock process can I put the solar cover on and does the solar cover retard FC loss during the day?
Sorry I know I am not at any of these points yet(still in shocking mode I think). But hopefully I can get past this and start putting less and less CL in this pool. I am going through 3-4 jugs a day keeping it above 16ppm.
Thanks
John
I have a couple questions for the forum.
1. If Borax is an algaestat at 50ppm. Is keeping the FC at a higher daily ppm that crucial in keeping your pool free of organics?
2. At what point in the shock process can I put the solar cover on and does the solar cover retard FC loss during the day?
Sorry I know I am not at any of these points yet(still in shocking mode I think). But hopefully I can get past this and start putting less and less CL in this pool. I am going through 3-4 jugs a day keeping it above 16ppm.
Thanks
John
While you are in the shock process you need to keep the FC at shock level. Borates help prevent algae from getting started but once algae is present it is the FC that kills algae. After the shock process is complete you can add borates to improve the feel of the water and they will act as a minimal algae preventer but FC needs to stay within its recommended range to prevent algae from coming back.
You can use the solar cover during the day to slow FC loss due to UV exposure, but you may see a temporary rise in CC.
You can use the solar cover during the day to slow FC loss due to UV exposure, but you may see a temporary rise in CC.
I figured as much, but wanted to make sure. So much of what i thought was a standard practice has been dispelled or expanded upon, so i ask questions before doing at this point.
Do you recomend putting any polyquat 60 in the pool as an insurance policy after the shock process? And is the Borax more for feel of the water as opposed to algae fighting?
Do you recomend putting any polyquat 60 in the pool as an insurance policy after the shock process? And is the Borax more for feel of the water as opposed to algae fighting?
Hey,
I've had my pool about 7-8 years now and have never used borates or an algaecide. I have always considered them as optional things to think about but never mandatory for the successful management of your pool.
I would also suggest that you delay those decisions for a couple of weeks. You are just now getting into the "maintenance " phase of your pool and you will really become familiar with the basics so they will soon be second nature to you. Then I would give the borates and/or polyquat 60 a second look.
I've had my pool about 7-8 years now and have never used borates or an algaecide. I have always considered them as optional things to think about but never mandatory for the successful management of your pool.
I would also suggest that you delay those decisions for a couple of weeks. You are just now getting into the "maintenance " phase of your pool and you will really become familiar with the basics so they will soon be second nature to you. Then I would give the borates and/or polyquat 60 a second look.
Thanks Dave I appreciate the advice. I do like the feel of the Borax water, but i could probably get that same feel from addition of Salt at a later point. I was really thinking of adding the Borax not because of feel but because of the algaestat properties and its aid in CL useage. But if its just for feel I dont think it is worth messing with.
Well, chem geek (and others) has some pretty solid evidence of it's algaecidal properties as well so I don't think it's just for feel.
I am a proponent of not overthinking (reflects on my capabilities
) pool chemistry (K.I.S.S.). Chlorine, used correctly, is all I have ever needed to prevent/eliminate algae.
Borates also act as a ph buffer (similar to TA) and can help stabilize ph. That is probably the biggest effect I have noticed. Since I keep my FC level at the recommended level (independent of borates), I can't say if it's algaestatic properties have been significant for me. I did not notice any decrease in swg run time (i.e. lower chlorine consumption) after I added the borates, but that was by no means closely monitored on my part either.
If you had the proper FC level relative to CYA to begin with, then you wouldn't notice any drop in chlorine demand after adding Borates. The Borates are like an insurance policy, just like any other algaecide. So IF the FC level were to drop for whatever reason, then algae would take longer to grow because of the Borates. The Borates would only lower chlorine demand in situations where one wasn't using a sufficient FC/CYA level in the first place.
Well its been a good fight but I can proudly say I passed all three tests this morning.
Readings at 11:00 pm:
FC 17
CC 0.25( slight pink used half a drop)(This still bugs me a little how it cant be 0, but i may have had some frogs swimming last night)
Readings at 6:15 am
FC 17
CC 0.25 same color used half a drop
Pool is crystal clear!!!
And I am exstatic.
And now to figure out the maintenance dose.
Should I just let my FC stand for today,
Test it tonight and figure out how much my FC loss was for the day.
And add that much more CL per day to keep it at 5ppm?
Thank you for all the support!!
I definitely wouldnt have stayed on the same course without all your help.
I will post a pic when i get a chance!
Readings at 11:00 pm:
FC 17
CC 0.25( slight pink used half a drop)(This still bugs me a little how it cant be 0, but i may have had some frogs swimming last night)
Readings at 6:15 am
FC 17
CC 0.25 same color used half a drop
Pool is crystal clear!!!
And I am exstatic.
And now to figure out the maintenance dose.
Should I just let my FC stand for today,
Test it tonight and figure out how much my FC loss was for the day.
And add that much more CL per day to keep it at 5ppm?
Thank you for all the support!!
I definitely wouldnt have stayed on the same course without all your help.
I will post a pic when i get a chance!
That may change soon.
Several of us are carpooling and are headed up to your place for FREE beer and bratwurst (OK, you don't have to have bratwurst) this Memorial Day weekend.Man, we love crystal clear pools!
Seriously, nice work.
Yes, just leave your FC alone until it drifts down into your maintenance range per the FC/CYA chart. Your loss today will be above normal so don't use that as a guide. Generally speaking, you can plan on losing about 2-4ppm daily with light bather loads....it'll be a trail and error deal to get it tuned in nicely.
Johnny-M said:Pool is crystal clear!!!
And I am exstatic.
And now to figure out the maintenance dose.
Should I just let my FC stand for today,
Test it tonight and figure out how much my FC loss was for the day.
And add that much more CL per day to keep it at 5ppm?
Yes, you can just let your FC drift down to maintenance level. Re-test and adjust up to the target level each evening. What is the CYA level?
Thank you for all the support!!
I definitely wouldnt have stayed on the same course without all your help.
I will post a pic when i get a chance!
Congratulations!
