- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
So I thought I was doing pretty well in 2021. First full year owning a pool - thought I got the hang of the TFP methods after our pool opened up last year. Had to do a couple of SLAMs.
But a few weeks ago, after having a few people over, noticed the CCs went up to 1 (I test daily). Went back down after a few days. Actually posted about this on this forum and we attributed it to the bather load.
Keep in mind my pool is only 2300 gallons (yes I’ve read the article on seasonal pools). So there really are wild shifts in daily chlorine consumption depending on how much it is being used.
Well, two weeks ago we had 18 people in this tiny pool at various points of the day. Tons of fun.
Water looked slightly cloudy the next day (I made an effort to bring the FC up to 10, and then only higher as time went on). I checked my FC at the end of the pool party and it was 5 - that was the lowest it got.
I brought up to what I thought was SLAM level (16), thinking that would nip it in the bud… but chlorine consumption just continued to increase. Pool hasn’t been cloudy (although maybe it isn’t as clear as some of the TFP clear pool pics - those are really impressive), and CCs finally dropped down from 1.5 right after the party to 0-0.5 now.
So there I am, brushing and vacuuming twice daily… all parts of the pool… and still the chlorine consumption. I switched out my filters… then an AHA moment.
I had previously tested my CYA at 40. Well, the screw cap is kinda busted on my mixing bottle… so rather than squirting it out into the comparator tube… I was just pouring. Well apparently that doesn’t result in the same amount of agitation… so I thought my CYA was only 40… but when I changed my technique (and compared it to my CYA 50 standard reagent) - turns out it’s 60.
So I’ve been slamming at or above (mostly) 24 ppm for the last couple of days.
Also considered trying to get behind my LED lights, but I read elsewhere on this forum that the tiny LEDs are nicheless (they do have an electrical conduit behind them… but that’s 50 feet log). Also they have what seem like a million pieces so didn’t want to take those apart unless I absolutely have to. Attaching a pic of those as well.
Have been squirting bleach in the drains (pic attached) - don’t want to take those apart.
I guess I’m just frustrated. This is my saga. Not sure I have any specific questions, just lamenting all the spinning of wheels… and consuming 10-20 ppm/day of chlorine over the last two weeks. I kept the SWG going at one point as I’m a healthcare worker who can’t always be home checking on this stuff. But I’m back to the good old TFP basics now and following things as carefully as possible… although admittedly going over SLAM level just for convenience.
Considering draining, addressing any lights/drains issues, and refilling.
pH brought down to 7.3 (used pH meter to do this)
FC 25
CC 0
CYA 60
TA 100
CH 150
But a few weeks ago, after having a few people over, noticed the CCs went up to 1 (I test daily). Went back down after a few days. Actually posted about this on this forum and we attributed it to the bather load.
Keep in mind my pool is only 2300 gallons (yes I’ve read the article on seasonal pools). So there really are wild shifts in daily chlorine consumption depending on how much it is being used.
Well, two weeks ago we had 18 people in this tiny pool at various points of the day. Tons of fun.
Water looked slightly cloudy the next day (I made an effort to bring the FC up to 10, and then only higher as time went on). I checked my FC at the end of the pool party and it was 5 - that was the lowest it got.
I brought up to what I thought was SLAM level (16), thinking that would nip it in the bud… but chlorine consumption just continued to increase. Pool hasn’t been cloudy (although maybe it isn’t as clear as some of the TFP clear pool pics - those are really impressive), and CCs finally dropped down from 1.5 right after the party to 0-0.5 now.
So there I am, brushing and vacuuming twice daily… all parts of the pool… and still the chlorine consumption. I switched out my filters… then an AHA moment.
I had previously tested my CYA at 40. Well, the screw cap is kinda busted on my mixing bottle… so rather than squirting it out into the comparator tube… I was just pouring. Well apparently that doesn’t result in the same amount of agitation… so I thought my CYA was only 40… but when I changed my technique (and compared it to my CYA 50 standard reagent) - turns out it’s 60.
So I’ve been slamming at or above (mostly) 24 ppm for the last couple of days.
Also considered trying to get behind my LED lights, but I read elsewhere on this forum that the tiny LEDs are nicheless (they do have an electrical conduit behind them… but that’s 50 feet log). Also they have what seem like a million pieces so didn’t want to take those apart unless I absolutely have to. Attaching a pic of those as well.
Have been squirting bleach in the drains (pic attached) - don’t want to take those apart.
I guess I’m just frustrated. This is my saga. Not sure I have any specific questions, just lamenting all the spinning of wheels… and consuming 10-20 ppm/day of chlorine over the last two weeks. I kept the SWG going at one point as I’m a healthcare worker who can’t always be home checking on this stuff. But I’m back to the good old TFP basics now and following things as carefully as possible… although admittedly going over SLAM level just for convenience.
Considering draining, addressing any lights/drains issues, and refilling.
pH brought down to 7.3 (used pH meter to do this)
FC 25
CC 0
CYA 60
TA 100
CH 150
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