Normal to add chlorine daily?

[farmerpatti]

I am a recent bacqucil convert --- finished a month ago. My numbers:

FC 0
pH 7.5
TA 130
CYA 50

I'm adding 1 gal 1 cup nightly to get to 5.0........in morning it is still 5.0, but by nightfall i'm back to 0 of FC. Pool in sun all day.

Is this consumption of chlorine normal?

I will test the CC in morning ....

Thanks

 

[Richard320]

Adding daily is normal.

Losing 5 ppm per day is not. Not unless you have a whole lot of people in that pool all day long or someone with a really weak bladder.

I'd say an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test is in order.

 

[farmerpatti]

I did the overnight two nights in a row and it remained at FC5 both mornings...same as it tested at night.

 

[DallasSocFan]

I lose about 5 ppm per day, or 1 gallon of 10% per day, put in on a stenner.

Of course, my pool is in Dallas on the west side of my house with nothing shading it.

 

[Akathisia]

What was the CC on those OCLTs and shouldn't you be shooting for FC= 6-8 every night? Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart

And just to double check that your CYA is really 50, do you test as outlined on this page (scroll down a bit for the CYA) Extended Test Kit Directions

 

[woodyp]

5 won't get you there through a daily loss. You should dose it up to 8 or 9 daily. 5 should be your minimum remaining daily.

 

[farmerpatti]

I'm in full sun as well, but in Michigan with a bit cooler weather!

- - - Updated - - -

Ok...forgot about that extra chart! The CYA is tough to read with bifocals!

Right now:

FC 1.5
CC 0.5
pH 7.5
TA 170
CYA 50

I usually dose up at night, but will get up to 8 and will test again after dark.

THANKS.....then we are heading out for a three day weekend....next week.....how do you handle that!

 

[farmerpatti]

Ok...I dosed up at 12:20pm to get to FC8 ---- 1.4 gallons of 12.5% ....30 minutes later, it was 5.0...now at 3:00pm it is FC - 0 again. I back washed before I did any of this to clean filter, we have checked behind the steps, and the pool is beautifully clean. I'm having kids vacuum up any bits of dirt/sand (we live on dirt road).

We have it covered when not using and have full sun from morning until about 5:30/6:00pm each day. When I tested for two nights straight and then next morning I had no chlorine loss.

I have been using some 2 in 1 tablets given to me in a floater. I'll stop that and see if things change.

Any other suggestions?

- - - Updated - - -

The CC was 0.5....I redid the CYA and it is 50. Dosed up today to FC8 and within three hours it was FC 0 (gone). I had back washed prior to adding 1.4 gallons of 12.5%, behind steps checked. I'm out of ideas!!! The overnight OCLT's did not lose any FC (same at night and in morning).

I was given some 2 in 1 tablets (3") that I've put in a floater....I will take those out...maybe something in that is eating the chlorine?

Any thoughts?

 

[farmerpatti]

Also, today while vacuuming, I found very tiny new growth of leafy plant...very tiny, extremely tiny. We have an oak tree next to the pool, not sure if it is dropping something. When we vacuum, I use a 'sock' over the skimmer basket to collect stuff....that is where I found the tiny things.....maybe 4 or 5; had maybe 1/2 cup of stuff vacuumed up - leaves, bugs and tree droppings.

Will get to FC 8 tonight and see what I have first thing in morning.

 

[pooldv]

Most likely bacteria and algae are eating the chlorine. It looks like you need to SLAM Process the pool to kill whatever is I the pool consuming the chlorine.

 

[farmerpatti]

slamming it is....my numbers were 1.5 below last night! ARGH