Pool Costs Per Month in the Summer

[Azcal]

Hi,
I live in the hot desert southwest and this summer I seem to be dumping more liquid chlorine into the pool than past years. I just passed OCLT test and FC moves between 12 and 7. Drained 80% of pool in April and CYA now sits at 50 and water temp is 82-83. I have a 16k gallon pool and will spend $200. this month in chemicals. Floated two discs this month. Does this seem average to this environment?
Thanks

 

[PoolStored]

Daily loss of 4FC, or 120FC per month.
1 gallon of 10% LC is about $6 at WalMart, and will add 6FC to your pool.
120 / 6 = 20 Gallons. 20 * $6 = $120.

Not too far off, but what did you buy with that $200?
How much chlorine do you add daily.

If you are comfortable with managing CYA, you might raise your CYA to 60-80. In Ohio, I routinely used a CYA of 70 with liquid chlorine to lower demand. You just need to make sure you never get below FC Range.

 

[Azcal]

Since April there was a SLAM or maybe two. The acid use seems high also. I am adding at least1-1.5 gallons a day. The water surface is in the sun almost always. I could probably get a pool service for the same amount of money or less and just drain when CYA gets too high.

 

[PoolStored]

'Twer it I, I'd get a Salt Water Chlorine generator, and run your CYA at 70-80. Way cheaper in the long run.

As for the pH rise, it is high TA that causes pH rise, here are a couple reads:

Lower Total Alkalinity

A lower Total Alkalinity level can help a pool owner stabalize their pH increase. We'll explain how to lower TA with a little help from muriatic acid.

www.troublefreepool.com

Lowering Total Alkalinity (TA) Quickly with the Acid Aeration Method

Thought I'd make a post that might help others. We've had quite a few members this year with high TA, and I've been typing the same information over and over. I'm going to post this so I can link it to help others. High TA can cause rapid pH rise. High TA is typically caused by high TA fill...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[proavia]

Look into adding a SWG.
You would be buying your chlorine up front with. SWG, but the cost per FC is less over time - if you follow TFP methods.
We recommend a SWG rated for two times your pool volume.
If your pool doesn't have automation, look at the Circupool RJ45+ or RJ60+.

If you follow TFP recommended levels, there is no reason to do the SLAM Process.

Post a full set of current test results from one of the recommended test kits.
Test Kits Compared

FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Water temperature

 

[Azcal]

In my limited research it seems the cost of constantly replacing cells and other equipment in SWG pools is no real advantage over liquid chlorine costs. SWGs are probably easier to mange on a daily basis though.

 

[Azcal]

FC 10
ALK 120
CYA 55-60
CH 200

Thanks for your input.

 

[mknauss]

In my limited research it seems the cost of constantly replacing cells and other equipment in SWG pools is no real advantage over liquid chlorine costs

Not anymore.
See SWG How It Works - Further Reading

 

[PoolStored]

Circupool RJ-45 puts out 2lbs per day, costs $1200, rated life 15,000 hours. Each hour output is .6ppm in your pool. .6*15,000 = 9000FC. $1200 / 4500 = $.13 / FC

One gallon of 10% will raise your FC by 6. $6 / 6 = 1$ / FC.

That is almost a 10x return. Even if you cut the rated 15,000 hours by 1/2, your at $.26/FC.

If you maintain proper water chemistry, there is no reason a cell won't last 5+ years.

CircuPool RJ-30 PLUS Saltwater Chlorinator | Discount Salt Pool

www.discountsaltpool.com

 

[Azcal]

Thanks. I am moving my pool equipment in January which will be a good time to look further into it.