New at this. Trouble searching for answers.

[Jlsergent]

I am using the search but nothing seems to come up that is related to what I'm asking. I have a 16,000 gal vinyl pool. I have an inline clorinator. Sand pump. Having trouble keeping chlorine in the pool. I don't have a good tester yet. I bought the cheapie sticks from Walmart and they say all is ok at the moment. While my aquacheck digital says pH is 8.4 and Fc is 1.8 one second and .9 the next. Is it really this unreliable?
Also, I'm relaying on those cheapie sticks to tell me my cya is ok but I will have to have it checked at Pool store to be sure. My inline chlorinator is on 3 and it is not keeping chlorine in the pool at all. Scared to turn it up because I did that last year and cya went way high. Had to partially drain.
Can't find an explanation of what the bbb method is but I need to do something quick to keep the chlorine right. My tablets are trichlor. Been adding liquid chlorine and also have tried calcium hypochlorite granules. Idk what is best to do right now. The first year was so easy. Chlorine stayed good with the chlorinator and some occasional liquid. Last year was a disaster and so far this one is following suit.

 

[pooldv]

Welcome to TFP!

Yes, that's why we call them guess strips. BBB is now called TFPC, more here, Pool School - What is TFPC?

Usually, folks having trouble keeping FC in the pool is either algae growing and using up all the FC or the CYA is way high leaving the FC ineffective.

First step is a good test kit, Pool School - Test Kits Compared. I use the TF-100 and I buy mine at TFTestkits.net. It has helped me keep my pool clear for many years.

Here is how we kill algae, SLAM Process

 

[Jimrahbe]

Jl,

Welcome to TFP... A Great resource for all troubled pool owners...

Are you using the "advanced search" just below the spy glass in the upper right corner of the screen?

You are here because you have found out the downside the using 3" pucks to chlorinate your pool.

Please read this... https://www.troublefreepool.com/content/122-what-is-tfpc-bbb

You also need to look through our "Pool School" using the link at the top of this page.

As a heads up, here is how we suggest a pool be chlorinated..

There are four ways to chlorinate your pool...

1. Using chlorinated 3" pucks... We do not recommend them, and you have discovered why..
2. Manually add Liquid Chlorine or plain Bleach on a regular basis. Usually daily or every other day.
3. Use a Stenner pump to automatically add Liquid Chlorine or bleach.
4. Use a Saltwater Chlorine Generator (SWCG) to convert the salt in your pool into chlorine.

The main premise behind the TFP method is testing your own pool water with one of two test kits.. Either the TF-100 or the Taylor K-2006C.
We use those kits and require others to use the same kits so that when we answer questions, we are always comparing apples to apples.

Thanks for posting and look forward to all your questions,

Jim R.

 

[Jlsergent]

I ordered the TF-100 yesterday! So, soon there will be no more guessing!

- - - Updated - - -

Thank you very much! Once I know my CYA levels, I will start to follow that chart for my FC. I'm going to stop using those pucks. Too bad I just spent 140. bucks on a big tub. Maybe I can exchanged them for liquid.
Any advantage to buying the liquid from the pool store over regular bleach from grocery store?