Need help raising free chlorine levels!

[marybianchi]

Hi Friends,

Just moved into a home with a saltwater pool. First time saltwater pool owner. Salt levels seem fine and purifier is running but total chlorine, free chlorine and most other chemicals seem too low. The purifier is at a default of 65%. I raised it to 80% last night and this morning there was a very small increase in chlorine, but still nearly zero. The purifier also went back to 65% when I looked this AM, so I reset to 90%. The purifier seems to have plenty of power which I read can be the reason for minimal choline at high % settings. Am I just too anxious with how long it will take to get chlorine levels up? Thank you.

Pool Pilot Digital system
Salt - 3,200
pH - 6.2
Bromine - 0-1
Free Chlorine - 0.0-0.5
Total Chlorine - 0.5
Cyanuric Acid - 0
Totak Alkalinity - 0
Hardness - 50-120

 

[Mdragger88]

Welcome
What test kit are you using?

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome! Along with the test kit question above, please be sure to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info - to include the test kit. It's very helpful as we address your questions.

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[marybianchi]

Sorry about that!
I just updated my Signature, but we are currently using the Pool Spa 8 in 1 Test Strips.....
Thanks so much!

 

[PoolStored]

We recommend, and provide guidance when members have one of the recommended test kits...I'd get one ordered. Link-->Test Kits Compared

Salt water cells are not so good at raising FC. Raise your FC with liquid chlorine to your target, then maintain with the cell.

I would add 3ppm of liquid chlorine per day until your test kit arrives. Then post a full set of results and we'll go from there.

I have 7th and 8th GGrandfathers that lived in Rye!

 

[marybianchi]

Great advice on the test kits-thank you so much-I will order asap.
I'll be back with results once I have them-appreciate your help so much!

Re: your GGrandfathers who lived in Rye...how fun! Such a small world!

 

[marybianchi]

Good Morning,
So, I received my TF Pro Salt Kit (With Smart Stir) yesterday and tested the pool this morning with the results pictured below:
As I understand, I am to do this test daily, but are there other levels I should be testing as well to make sure any adjustments can be made? I have yet to test for FC and TA, so I assume those should be done as well?

Might be worth mentioning that it has been quite hot these last few weeks, but we had a very decent rain storm Weds night and the temperature has been about 15-20 degrees cooler since yesterday (Thursday) into today, (Friday).

Thanks for any feedback -I dont even know what I dont know at this point, so apologies if my post is missing anything.

-Mary

 

[Texas Splash]

Congrats on rceiving your first real test kit. The funs starts now. Please posts a full set of test results as follows:

FC (Use the FAS-DPD (powder & drops) for this one.
CC
CYA
PH
TA
CH

If you have any questions let us know.

 

[marybianchi]

Congrats on rceiving your first real test kit. The funs starts now. Please posts a full set of test results as follows:

FC (Use the FAS-DPD (powder & drops) for this one.
CC
CYA
PH
TA
CH

If you have any questions let us know.

Okay, so here are the results:

FC = 0 (did not turn pink, stayed clear)
CC = 1.5
CYA = 30 (but I could still see the black dot depite the tube being filled to the top)
TA = 40
CH = 100 ppm

Ph = I wasnt sure how to calculate this result?

 

[PoolStored]

Given the pH results, I'm not confident in your TA test.

Can you confirm the following process for the TA test. You need to keep adding drops until the color does not change, the subtract the last dot. Will make a difference on next steps.

Total Alkalinity

A drop-based test used to measure the alkalinity in water. Alkalinity helps serve as a … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Texas Splash]

Okay, here are some things to start doing:
FC - Add some liquid chlorine right away. Use the PoolMath APP (Effects of Adding) to show you how much chlorine to add to reach a goal of say 5-7 ppm. I think you'll find that 1.5 gallons of 10% liquid chlorine is equal to about 5 ppm of FC.

CC is elevated, we'll come back to that.

PH - According to your pic is elevated over 7.8. Use muriatic acid (carefully) to lower the pH down under 7.8.

Your CYA is still low. Use granular stabilizer to add 10 ppm via the sock method. More to follow.

Start reading the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. I think this would be good to do over the weekend.

 

[Texas Splash]

Along with the TA notes above, when you repeat the TA test, have a damp paper towel handy and wipe the tip of the reagent bottles after every few drops. For some reason, new TA bottles tend to develop static electrify which can influence the droplets.

 

[marybianchi]

Ahh yes- thank you so much.
And I really think there is something to the overnight chlorine loss and will review the link right now.

Thx again

 

[marybianchi]

Hi Everyone-
Just wanted to share a quick update to the levels:
Need to mention that the pool supply store did not have the CYA Granules in stock,so i had to buy the liquid version, and just poured in 2 gallons over the course of the day yesterday.

ph 7.4
FC: 8.5
CC: 0
TC: 8.5
Ca: 100
TA: 30
CYA: 30

Are we starting to move in the right direction?

 

[Texas Splash]

Those numbers look pretty good. How does the water look? Be critical. Crystal clear?

 

[marybianchi]

Yes. The water is clear, with the exception of a few random leave floating and minor pollen.
We had a lot of rain last night and just tested and the numbers are the same with the exception of the CC = 1 now…..

 

[Texas Splash]

Looks like you're doing well. Water looks great. The CC level can fluctuate. With some sunshine it should come down. If it remains stubborn at 1.0 or gets worse let us know.

 

[Mdragger88]

Looks great
I would do an
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test before calling it good & proceeding with target fc levels though.

 

[marybianchi]

Yes. The water is clear, with the exception of a few random leave floating and minor pollen.
We had a lot of rain last night and just tested and the numbers are the same with the exception of the CC = 1 now

Looks like you're doing well. Water looks great. The CC level can fluctuate. With some sunshine it should come down. If it remains stubborn at 1.0 or gets worse let us know.

you all are the best-really appreciate all of your kind help and support!