New pool owner - new fill - keep adding chlorine and FC will not rise

DeegeSqueege

New member
May 2, 2025
1
Clarksville, OH
The post title says it all.

I am a new pool owner. We have an 18' x 52" above-ground pool, roughly 8300 gallons. The pool math app has suggested very low amounts of my 12.5% liquid chlorine to raise my FC. I ended up adding 256 oz of the liquid chlorine and the FC level is still 0. My CYA level is 0 as well and I do plan on adding some soon (I've been doing some research and it seems like 3lbs would bring me to my target of 45).

My question is this - why does the pool math app and any other online pool calculator suggest such a low amount of liquid chlorine? Do I have some other kind of issue since my FC level is not rising at all? I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and really don't want to mess up the water to the point that I need to drain it.

Thank you!
 
Welcome to TFP!!!

The target for FC is based on your CYA level. Without CYA, recommended FC level is 1-3.
Your FC, without CYA in the water, will get consumed by UV VERY quickly.
That is why low target and your FC is going away.

Read this whole article for more. Link-->FC/CYA Levels