Opening my pool and want to do it real nice this time

[Newdude]

can u explain to me in layman's terms exactly what this overnight chlorine loss test is

I'd love to. 2 things make you lose FC. The UV from the sun (daily burn off) and organics (algae, residual bather waste, etc).

If you lose FC overnight, with no sun, then algae is brewing. (And will be why the water is getting funky).

So to run the overnight test :

1) test FC after dark
2) test FC at sunrise. (Just before).

*both tests need to be good and mixed first. Leaving the pump on overnight will let you sleep until the last second.

 

[monsterman]

I'd love to. 2 things make you lose FC. The UV from the sun (daily burn off) and organics (algae, residual bather waste, etc).

If you lose FC overnight, with no sun, then algae is brewing. (And will be why the water is getting funky).

So to run the overnight test :

1) test FC after dark
2) test FC at sunrise. (Just before).

*both tests need to be good and mixed first. Leaving the pump on overnight will let you sleep until the last second.

sunrise is extremely early like 5 AM?? and its SUNDAY

 

[Newdude]

and its SUNDAY

Monday works if you'd be up anyway, or at least, getting up sooner than you would have on Sunday.

Your FC is in the 30s so no algae is going to exponentially explode between now and Monday morning.

 

[monsterman]

Let's say it is algae-- what do I do then can I shock it with that POWERSHOCK powder that has the algicide in it that I sent you guys earlier-- and NOT the GREENOUT- that has CYA in it?? Or I can use that clarifier- that works all the time--

 

[Newdude]

Let's say it is algae-- what do I do

We have a whole process for that. The pool store potions rarely fix anything and only mask it for a couple of weeks. Then next time it's a 'new problem'.

Hang tight.
Don't add anything.
Get us the diluted CYA test
Get us the overnight test FC results

 

[Kaylee34]

Oh dear. Monte, please, please don't use that clarifier in your pool.

It sounds like a floc to me but I'm not experienced with such things. I've NEVER used a product like this in my pool and I never will. Read the back..... use this, run the pump then vacuum.

It contains cationic polymers. Polymers can gum up your filter. Even worse, "don't get in your eyes, on your skin or clothing, don't breathe the fumes, don't mix with other chemicals". OK fine, most things say that these days. But why would you want this in your pool where your grandchild will swim? Do you even know what it is??

 

[monsterman]

We have a whole process for that. The pool store potions rarely fix anything and only mask it for a couple of weeks. Then next time it's a 'new problem'.

Hang tight.
Don't add anything.
Get us the diluted CYA test
Get us the overnight test FC results

The diluted cya test i can do at anytime correct?? But the overnight FC will be difficult since sunrise is so early?? Really. And u also frighten me when u say you have a whole process for the POSSIBLE problem if it is algae. This seems to turning into a full time task. I dont know if i have the patience or know how to put up with this. I am getting too old and tired to continue this. It is taking all my thoughts and energy the last few days.

 

[monsterman]

Just want to repeat-- does the DILUTED CYA test need to be tonight??please let me know this answer
(And the procedure is 50% pool water AND 50% Tap water - mix- then pour out 1/2-THEN fill again with Reagent and then MIX for 30 sec- Then read and MULTIPY x 2?)- correct?

And what is the latest time in the AM I can do the Overnight FC test-- I usually get up around 7 or so AM??

 

[monsterman]

Just want to repeat-- does the DILUTED CYA test need to be tonight??please let me know this answer
(And the procedure is 50% pool water AND 50% Tap water - mix- then pour out 1/2-THEN fill again with Reagent and then MIX for 30 sec- Then read and MULTIPY x 2?)- correct?

And what is the latest time in the AM I can do the Overnight FC test-- I usually get up around 7 or so AM??

sunrise is 5:26 AM--- I am sorry there is NO way- my wife will lock me out of the house.

 

[Newdude]

The diluted cya test i can do at anytime correct??

CYA needs bright, natural light.

I dont know if i have the patience or know how to put up with this.

Well my friend, we are at this point in time and there is no going back. You can give up and never return to TFP and that isn't going to fix the pool.

The old way is how it got fouled up so that's not going to fix it either.

It might take some doing, but it's also a crash course in TroubleFreePoolCare and people emerge as pros in a week or two. By day 2 or 3 you'll really be getting the hang of it and with just a wee little bit of confidence, you'll realize how easy the whole system is.

Just want to repeat-- does the DILUTED CYA test need to be tonight??

CYA is bright daytime only.

(And the procedure is 50% pool water AND 50% Tap water - mix- then pour out 1/2-THEN fill again with Reagent and then MIX for 30 sec- Then read and MULTIPY x 2?)- correct?

Correct. I screwed my way up before. Apologies.

I usually get up around 7 or so AM??

What about on Monday ? Or try it at your regular waking time and maybe it still passes. If it fails, we can't say for sure it failed for real being exposed to sunlight. But if it passes it passes.

 

[monsterman]

So i can do CYA during tomorrow normal hours. And i will do FC momday morming before work

 

[Newdude]

So i can do CYA during tomorrow normal hours

Yes. If you get a few minutes of sunshine mid day, go for it.

And i will do FC momday morming before work

Sunday night after dark, test FC

Monday morning test FC as close to sunrise that won't get you locked out of the house.

Then we compare the overnight #s.

 

[monsterman]

So i can do CYA during tomorrow normal hours. And i will do FC momday morming before work

And where do i do the FC test in the dark. Can i do the testing in my house. I need to c when the color changes

 

[Newdude]

And where do i do the FC test in the dark.

You get the sample in the dark. Bring it indoors to test.

But then again, the smart stir lights up, so you don't need to come inside, but why not be comfy at the kitchen table ?

 

[Deb04]

I totally understand about the Grandson. I have a Granddaughter and the very best remedy when I'm having a bad day is to see her.

I promise not to yell at you about using strips in addition to your test kit provide you take no action based on the test strips and DO take action on what we tell you as a result of your test kit. In fact, maybe just don't tell us that you used test strips and certainly don't post their results instead of from kit. Oh, and reread post 189.

Here's a video about OCLT. https://www.troublefreepool.com/blog/2019/01/18/perform-the-overnight-fc-loss-test-oclt/

Tell your wife that the time being spent will decrease dramatically when we get this all pinned down. It will go faster when you can get test results from diluted CYA test and OCLT Test
.

 

[monsterman]

I understand- but one thing more- every time I get a link to read it never opens it keeps saying the page cannot be loaded run windows diagnostic-- this has happened on I believe the 2 links that have been sent to me recently??

 

[PoolStored]

I understand- but one thing more- every time I get a link to read it never opens it keeps saying the page cannot be loaded run windows diagnostic-- this has happened on I believe the 2 links that have been sent to me recently??

Clear your browser cache...

 

[monsterman]

(sorry it still does not work)--- also about the OCLT-- why am I not doing a CC test- to see if my combined chloramine is less than or more than 0.5 ppm. I thought from ur video that if my CC test is less than 0.5 ppm (I pray) that I would not have to do an OCLT test.

 

[Mdragger88]

(sorry it still does not work)--- also about the OCLT-- why am I not doing a CC test- to see if my combined chloramine is less than or more than 0.5 ppm. I thought from ur video that if my CC test is less than 0.5 ppm (I pray) that I would not have to do an OCLT test.

You can Do the fc & cc test. Both times if you wish but fc is the priority for the oclt
The presence of cc’s above .5 indicates there is a problem but the Lack of cc’s doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t a problem. The lack of cc’s doesn’t mean you don’t need to do an oclt.
Also - for the stirrer…
Put the pool water in the cylinder up to the appropriate line, put the cylinder on the stirrer, place the cross in the cylinder, turn the stirrer on (I always use the light). Voila, it should be swirling your sample for you so you only need to focus on the drops.
Every test that involves a cylinder is the same process.

 

[Mdragger88]

To perform the overnight FC loss test:

1. If you have an Saltwater Chlorine Generator, tablet chlorinator, or other chlorine feeder, shut it off completely.
2. After the sun goes down, and at least 30 minutes after your last chemical addition of the day, test your water for FC using the FAS-DPD test making sure your FC level is at least above 3ppm.
3. Record that result. Do not put any more chlorine in your pool.
4. If the OCLT is in conjunction with a SLAM, the pump should already be running 24/7/. If performing the OCLT independently as a diagnostic test, it is vital the pump be running at least 30 minutes before the grabbing the nighttime and morning water samples for testing in order to ensure the water is properly mixed.
5. The next morning, as early as practical and definitely before there is any direct sunlight on the pool, perform the FAS-DPD FC test again and record the results.

If your FC level remained the same, or went down by 1.0 or less, the water is clean. There isn’t any living algae or other organic contamination in the pool.

If you lost more than 1.0 ppm of FC, then there is something in the water that needs to be removed and you should SLAM, or continue SLAMing, the pool.