New Plaster Questions

[Reebee]

We just got new plaster 2 weeks ago, and have been testing, balancing, brushing, and vacuuming religiously. The water looks great and is crystal clear and have been pleasantly surprised that we have not had much pH rise over the last 2 weeks. I guess I expected to be adding acid daily, which we were used to when the SWCG was running (no salt added yet), but it has been maintaining in the 7.2-7.5 area with very little intervention from us. Is that to be expected? Could it be due to the rain we've been getting, I've heard that may lower pH, so maybe I'm getting an assist from nature? I'm actually questioning whether we ever go back to the SWCG, because managing the pH rise was a daily effort, and I suppose not any more difficult than manually dosing chlorine daily. May just switch back to bleach permanently if this helps keep pH in check.

While everything else seems to be in line, we've had Combined Chlorine levels in the 1-1.5 area since start-up. There are no signs of algae, and the FC levels are in line with current CYA levels. I don't want to raise them to SLAM or SHOCK levels since the plaster is brand new. So is the CC level of any concern and do I need to do anything about it at this point?

Finally, unrelated to the new plaster issue, I can no longer find plain old bleach in any stores (everything is either splashless or scented, and even "Regular Clorox" looks to have some sort of fabric protector added). Any brands/stores that I should be looking, or am I doomed to have to buy liquid chlorine at a pool store?

Thanks in advance!

 

[justinc]

How are you chlorinating in the meantime? Tablets? That could explain why your pH is not rising with the new plaster.

You aren't supposed to shock or SLAM fresh plaster for the first month.

Have you tried big box stores like Wal-Mart, Home Depot, or Lowe's for bleach or chlorinating liquid?

I would raise chlorine level a few parts per million over recommended for a few days and see if that won't help burn off some of the CC.

 

[Reebee]

How are you chlorinating in the meantime? Tablets? That could explain why your pH is not rising with the new plaster.
You aren't supposed to shock or SLAM fresh plaster for the first month.
Have you tried big box stores like Wal-Mart, Home Depot, or Lowe's for bleach or chlorinating liquid?
I would raise chlorine level a few parts per million over recommended for a few days and see if that won't help burn off some of the CC.

Thanks! Aha, they did use pucks/sticks at start-up, which I figured would help me with CYA anyway, so that likely has helped the pH stay in line. But otherwise I've been adding bleach as need. The "Regular Clorox" unfortunately is the best I could find between Safeway, Target and Home Depot, so hopefully whatever is added in it won't cause issues. I may have to resort to pool store liquid chlorine until the salt goes in, and just try to keep it a little higher to see if the CC goes down.

 

[justinc]

Stop using Clorox immediately. It is not acceptable for pools. Many users on this forum have come here to report cloudiness, foaming, bubbles, etc. You will need to find an alternate source. Wal-Mart Great Value Cleaning Bleach is an alternative.

This is why you have combined chlorine. The chlorine is trying to oxidize the polymers in the bleach....

 

[Reebee]

I've been reading through posts and saw someone mention that Jack's Magic products could cause a false CC reading. I'm wondering if that is what is causing my tests to show CC levels of 1-1.5? The pool got a bottle of Jack's Purple Stuff at start-up, and has been getting a maintenance dose of Jack's Magenta Stuff weekly. Since it is brand new water, fresh plaster, and we've been religious about testing and maintaining balance within the new plaster guidelines, I'm skeptical with the CC readings from the start. Could either of the Jack's products be the culprit and I can stop worrying about what is causing the CC to levels to persist?

 

[CarolineM]

Home Depot sells liquid pool chlorine, check online to see if your HD carries it in store. It’s $9.98 a case of 3 with a discount if you buy a couple of cases. It’s 10% so stronger than the Clorox and it has no additives

 

[justinc]

Did you stop using Clorox?

 

[Reebee]

Yes, got 10% liquid chlorine from the pool store

 

[justinc]

OK, it might take some time for the regular chlorine to burn off whatever Clorox started adding to theirs. That might be why you're still showing the CC.

The concern with Jacks' Magic products causing high CC is with the Copper and Scale stuff because it contains sulfamic acid. This causes high CC readings. The routine phosphonic acid based sequestrants don't cause high CC readings (maybe right after adding but not prolonged).

 

[Reebee]

Home Depot sells liquid pool chlorine, check online to see if your HD carries it in store. It’s $9.98 a case of 3 with a discount if you buy a couple of cases. It’s 10% so stronger than the Clorox and it has no additives

Thanks - we looked for it unsuccessfully at HD, and also didn't see it available online for our store.

 

[CarolineM]

Walmart also sells it.