Newbie Pool Owner Needs Help

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The water looks good. It was a slightly different color this morning and after adding the bleach and waiting a couple of hours it looks very clean and clear. I know I need to keep an eye on the FC which I am doing at this time since it was 3.5 when tested earlier. I added liquid chlorine and will test again later tonight.

I do appreciate all the responses and help.

Thank you
 

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Yes! Add chlorine as much as necessary to keep the FC in your "target range". Based on your CYA (50), according to the FC/CYA Levels your FC should always be between 6-8, and never below 4. Your FC has dropped much too low as of lately. I have a sneaky suspicion you may have an algae problem and need to do a SLAM Process later, but we'll see. But you do need to keep the FC in that 6-8 range. I just picked-up the HDX pool chlorine from Home Depot (10%) and that's fine to use.
 
texassplash I tested FC just now using the method you provided as is did earlier. I am now at 10.5 FC.

Pool water in vile at 10ml line, one good scope of DPD and it instantly turned pink; followed by 21 drops of r0871 until turned clear.

I am going stop adding chlorine and let the pump run all until about 10 pm. I will test the water again tomorrow evening.

Thanks
 
good evening. I thought I would share my current test results taken a few minutes ago. The pool water still appears clean and clear as of this hour.

FC - 7
PH - 7.6
TA - using 25mml test = 120 / using 10mml test = 125
CH 310
CYA 60

based on the CYA/FC chart it looks like I am okay, right?

I am going to change my pump basket trap as I didn't notice until late yesterday it was full of trash. I also didn't know it could be cleaned out.

thank you,
 
Glad to hear things are looking more positive. Now that a few days have passed, I wish to share a few pointers:
- Originally your CYA was very high so you drained a couple feet of water. That was good, but your initial (new) CYA was 40, then 50, now 60. After changing only a couple feet, I thought the initial CYA of 40 was a bit optimistic, so I'm not surprised you are now showing a higher number. Either that and/or you are still getting the hang of the CYA test. You'll become more proficient with that test as you practice. But if using 60 as your new CYA, then an FC of 7 is an the low end of your target value. It's good, but anything below that and you run the risk of cloudiness/algae, so watch that closely. I would keep around 8-9.
- For your TA test, if you used 12 drops to get from green to bright/Barbie pink, then the TA is indeed 120. Each drop equals 10 ppm.

- Overall your numbers look very good. Your testing will become more & more comfortable and proficient as the season goes on. With that testing, your water will look clear and predictable. If it ever gets cloudy, there's a reason and your test kit should be tool #1 to figure out why.

Yes, watch that skimmer basket as winds carrying debris can fill it up fast. Also watch your filter PSI gauge to see when it increases enough for a cleaning. Run your brush (or cleaner) across the pool surfaces weekly and you'll be in good shape.
 
Thanks Texas Splash. We got in to the habit of cleaning the skimmer basket daily especially with all the trees around our neighborhood.

the pump basket I am referring to is this one. I posted for help in the Equipment thread, so I'll keep my double post short. The top will not twist off after 10 attempts. I turned of the pump and released air pressure and no luck twisting off. I feel like it will break and figured I better wait until better daylight.
 

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I see. Yes, if you aren't using a skimmer sock at the poolside skimmer, those fill-up fast. Even with silicone on the lid O-ring, it can get very sticky. Mine does. Tomorrow, with the pump off and pressure relief valve open, you might try gently tapping the lip edge all around with a rubber mallet if you have one. If it were mine, I might even grab a broomstick of skinny pipe and slip it into that handle for more leverage to twist, but that's if it were MY lid, and only as a last resort. I would err on the side of patience for now. If I see your other thread, I'll keep an eye on your progress there as well.
 
Good evening, so I am back at testing the FC and to my disappointment is reading FC-5. I also tested the CYA and it still reads 60.

Frustrating to say the least since I need to raise the FC asap again based on these reading. If I did pool math correctly it states to add 2 gallons of liquid chlorine. I am preparing to slowly pour the liquid near the jets as the pump is on.

I won’t be able to to test again until Saturday as I have a business trip for a couple of days.

I’ll see how this goes. We’re expecting rain today and tomorrow and I am hoping this helps too.

I should also add that I tested using the speed-stir which required 9 drops and the regular method of swirling the test container by hand which required 10 drops. I just rounded up to FC-5
 
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When you get back from your trip, I think it's time to do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to see if you have algae. with our moderate weather lately, there's no reason to loose more than 4 ppm of FC in 24 hrs. So I would review that Overnight Chlorine Loss Test page and be prepared. If you fail that test, a TFP SLAM Process would be next. Have a safe trip.
 

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thanks. I also have a correction, I am not adding 2 gallons as originally noted. I did the pool math again and its recommending 54oz of liquid chlorine. Not sure where I saw 2 gallons. I added 1 gallon already and stopping there.

The water still looks clean and clear and even with the lose of this much FC so quickly?
 
Silva1181 said:
The water still looks clean and clear and even with the lose of this much FC so quickly?
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That may be because the water is still a bit cool. If this was summer you may have a cloudy, green mess on your hands. So when you get back you can do those items I noted above and we'll go from there. Before your trip, give the pool a good healthy dose of chlorine. Since your CYA is 60, you can go all the way up to an FC of 24.
 
okay. I tested at 7pm, FC was at 7. I added another 1/2 gallon of chlorine. I tested again at 8:15. 10ml, 1 scope and 19 drops 0871, FC -9. Using speed-stir. I also noticed that even though the water turn pink to white when spinning, when I went to clean the vile the water was still lightly pink. I was going to share a video of me doing this test but I can't upload a video.

I'll add more chlorine before I fly out tomorrow evening. Pool maintenance is no joke and not easy!!!!

thank you and have a good night.

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Hi Silva, I’ve had good luck with the Kemtek brand of chlorinating liquid sold by Lowe’s. It is 10% so you don’t need to use quite as much as regular bleach. It’s about $3-4 per gallon. You can find it in the pool supply section.
 
Silva1181 said:
I also noticed that even though the water turn pink to white when spinning, when I went to clean the vile the water was still lightly pink.
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It's normal for the water to turn a bit pink if you let it sit after you're done with your test. Ignore that. The immediate result is the only thing you need to worry about. I usually dump the test cylinder or right away so I don't see it do that very much
 
tested again today at 3pm before leaving for trip.

measuring at 10 ML, I used the speed stir first, 1 scope of DPD, followed by 16 drops of R0871, so FC-8. Retested again and same result.

manual swirling method at 10 ML, 1 scope of DPD, 18 drops of R0871, so FC-9. Retested again and same result.

tested CYA and is holding at 60.

What's stumping me is how is it that from Monday to Tuesday it dropped by 4 ppm and now it's dropping by less? Tuesday was a sunny day and I've read sun burns off chlorine. Is it the Cooler weather, no sun today, or am I kidding myself that I am actually making progress to turn this around simply by continuing to add chlorine.

Last question before I leave. Should I add chlorine to keep it higher until I return? Am I doing any more damage/harm to water with all the chlorine I've been adding.

Thanks
 
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Silva1181 said:
What's stumping me is how is it that from Monday to Tuesday it dropped by 4 ppm and now it's dropping by less?
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That could simply be because you are more vigilant with your testing and chlorine maintenacne. That's good.

Silva1181 said:
Should I add chlorine to keep it higher until I return?
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You can. With a CYA of 60 you can increase your FC to "24" (SLAM level) no problem. Even safe to swim in. I would do that.
 
I would check your numbers but your signature has a blank in it for volume for your pool.
 
yes, sorry about not having my pool volume. I am estimating at 14k gallons although I've some conflicting info on precise volume, but I've been using 14k

I added the chlorine I had left, 1 and half gallons.

thank you,
 

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