Quick update - I ordered the kit, and I've been putting in the chlorine as directed. I tested my levels with the kit I have and the numbers are off the chart. Should I continue to add every day?
New(ish) pool owner in need of help
- Thread starter Illuminati1556
- Start date
The kit you have probably stops at 5 ppm so you don't really know what the CL level is, yet. You will need a high CL level for your SLAM so it's not going to be too high right now.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,012
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
If you’re concerned you can back it down to 3ppm/day - the average daily fc loss in an algae free pool is 2-4ppm. Up to 5ppm in the dog days of summer for many places. Generally much higher when algae is present.
I suspect if you routinely use tabs for daily chlorination your cya is likely elevated.
- it is safe for the pool’s free chlorine level to be anywhere between minimum & slam level for your cya.
See—> FC/CYA Levels
The yellow OTO test you have only tests Total chlorine up to 5ppm. It cannot differentiate between fc & cc.
Free chlorine (good stuff- free to kill nasties)
+
Combined chloramines (bad stuff- spent on nasties already)
= Total chlorine
I suspect if you routinely use tabs for daily chlorination your cya is likely elevated.
- it is safe for the pool’s free chlorine level to be anywhere between minimum & slam level for your cya.
See—> FC/CYA Levels
The yellow OTO test you have only tests Total chlorine up to 5ppm. It cannot differentiate between fc & cc.
Free chlorine (good stuff- free to kill nasties)
+
Combined chloramines (bad stuff- spent on nasties already)
= Total chlorine
Quick update. This is what the pool looks like 5 days after vacuuming and scrubbing, with no added chlorine other than the pucks I added when we got back.
I was waiting on the new kit and chlorine to arrive. Chlorine came today and kit is Friday. Seems as though I may have overreacted though
I was waiting on the new kit and chlorine to arrive. Chlorine came today and kit is Friday. Seems as though I may have overreacted though
Attachments
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,931
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Post up your numbers when the kit comes. We'll sort out any pre-slam issues.
Then follow the slam process until your pool looks like this...Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?
Then follow the slam process until your pool looks like this...Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?
This is how clear mine is right now. Looks like it belongs in that thread.
Attachments
Ok so I should be getting the kit today!
I'll be able to measure starting tomorrow.
Which tests should I do and when? It seems like the most important is doing the chlorine tests at night after the sun goes down and again before it comes up to measure chlorine loss.
Should I also run the whole panel while I'm at it?
I'll be able to measure starting tomorrow.
Which tests should I do and when? It seems like the most important is doing the chlorine tests at night after the sun goes down and again before it comes up to measure chlorine loss.
Should I also run the whole panel while I'm at it?
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,931
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,012
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Yes! Do all the tests!
List the results here like this
Fc
Cc
Ph
Ta
Ch
Cya
We’ll judge from there
List the results here like this
Fc
Cc
Ph
Ta
Ch
Cya
We’ll judge from there
Testing at dusk, here's what I got:
Fc-14.5 and 14. I measured twice back to back just to make sure I did it right.
Cc-0
Ph-7.8
Ta-100
Ch-75
Cya- 60-70
My chlorine has never been this high, but I was just following directions to add liquid chlorine daily. I only ended ip doing it twice though by the time I got it.
Fc-14.5 and 14. I measured twice back to back just to make sure I did it right.
Cc-0
Ph-7.8
Ta-100
Ch-75
Cya- 60-70
My chlorine has never been this high, but I was just following directions to add liquid chlorine daily. I only ended ip doing it twice though by the time I got it.
Last edited:
- May 3, 2014
- 62,676
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
With a CYA of 70 you are far under the SLAM level FC of 28 ppm.
Do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test tonight.
Do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test tonight.
That's the plan! I'll update you with the readings tomorrow morning. Isn't that the test that will tell me if I even need to do the slam?
And just to confirm, I only need to do the fc test in the morning, not the entire gamut of tests again correct?
- May 3, 2014
- 62,676
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Correct. FC only.
It is an indicator for active organic contamination. Live or dead algae in the pool water is also an indicator.
Okay so I woke up and did it, it's 14 again. I measured twice last night and it came in at 14.5 and 14. Originally it said 17 but I wanted to do it again bc I was nervous that I was going to screw this up so I did it after it was dark and not dusk.
So it sounds like no organic growth.... so then what's all this yellow/brown stuff accumulating?
If it's any help for context, I vacuumed to waste and it all went away. I didn't notice it again until after I put in the liquid chlorine.
If you brush it, it poof too a quick cloud and then goes away, it does resettle. It's also really on the one side of the pool.
The pictures don't do it justice, but it looks like it "bleeds" and it's lightly on the wall. By bleed I mean, imagine if you left a super saturated colored item in water. It would be dark on the item but the color kind of bleeds out around it and sits there.
So it sounds like no organic growth.... so then what's all this yellow/brown stuff accumulating?
If it's any help for context, I vacuumed to waste and it all went away. I didn't notice it again until after I put in the liquid chlorine.
If you brush it, it poof too a quick cloud and then goes away, it does resettle. It's also really on the one side of the pool.
The pictures don't do it justice, but it looks like it "bleeds" and it's lightly on the wall. By bleed I mean, imagine if you left a super saturated colored item in water. It would be dark on the item but the color kind of bleeds out around it and sits there.
Attachments
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,012
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
While you seem to have passed the oclt it looks like you have visible algae.Okay so I woke up and did it, it's 14 again. I measured twice last night and it came in at 14.5 and 14. Originally it said 17 but I wanted to do it again bc I was nervous that I was going to screw this up so I did it after it was dark and not dusk.
So it sounds like no organic growth.... so then what's all this yellow/brown stuff accumulating?
If it's any help for context, I vacuumed to waste and it all went away. I didn't notice it again until after I put in the liquid chlorine.
If you brush it, it poof too a quick cloud and then goes away, it does resettle. It's also really on the one side of the pool.
The pictures don't do it justice, but it looks like it "bleeds" and it's lightly on the wall. By bleed I mean, imagine if you left a super saturated colored item in water. It would be dark on the item but the color kind of bleeds out around it and sits there.
On to the SLAM Process !
Quick follow up. I was planning on doing the slam process this weekend but I have concerns.
There is no viable algae any more and the rate at which my chlorine is going down is very slow. It seems like if I bring it up to the slam level, it's going to stay there for a very long time and I plan on closing my pool by mid October. I'm only going down by ~1ppm per day as it is.
There is no viable algae any more and the rate at which my chlorine is going down is very slow. It seems like if I bring it up to the slam level, it's going to stay there for a very long time and I plan on closing my pool by mid October. I'm only going down by ~1ppm per day as it is.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,931
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
I'd rather see you slam and clear the pool before closing. If you follow the guide, you want to raise your FC to slam level anyway.
www.troublefreepool.com
Closing (Winterizing) Your Above Ground Pool
Closing an above ground pool at season’s end should be a fast and worry-free process. Learn the basics of above ground pool winterization in easy steps.
www.troublefreepool.com
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,012
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
If all 3 are true at the same time:
CC is 0.5 or lower;
You pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
AND
The water is clear.
(Crystal Clear w/no algae dead or alive)
Then you are done
P.s. - its ok to close with slam level fc - I do so every year.
Its how I open every spring TFP clear How Clear is TFP Clear?.
I would want to know I am truly algae free before closing .
CC is 0.5 or lower; You pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss TestAND
The water is clear.(Crystal Clear w/no algae dead or alive)
Then you are done
P.s. - its ok to close with slam level fc - I do so every year.
Its how I open every spring TFP clear How Clear is TFP Clear?.
I would want to know I am truly algae free before closing .
Oh, if closing with higher chlorine isn't going to damage the liner and cover, then I'll proceed with the slam tonight! Thank you!