Pool not holding chlorine

[raspbrypi]

Hey all, hope you are doing well as summer is approaching.

Over the last week or so, I've noticed that my pool will not hold chlorine very long. It will drop 3ppm in 2 days. It hasnt been very hot (<80F) here in central california either, so i cant imagine how bad it will get when we start hitting 110+ degrees. On 5/6 i cleaned my filters, then threw in a gal of hth algaecide and 2 1/2lbs of 56% cal-hypo. Tested on 5/7 and total chlorine was under 1ppm, so i threw in another 2lbs on 5/8. Today 5/10 my total chlorine was under 0.5ppm, my test kit didnt even change colors. The weird thing is that theres no noticeable algae, the pool looks great. Ive been sweeping every other day, and the brown spots is just staining i have yet to take care of. I also attachted an image of the stuff ive been using to sanitize, ive been using this because its the only cal-hypo they sell in stores thats reasonably priced. Theres mostly dirt around our pool, so phosphates have always been a problem, however constantly fixing them is expensive and i dont really worry about them. Could this be my problem? My phosphates are usually always over 2500ppm. I also just recently drained quite a bit of water because we used tabs all last year and had a ton of CYA, so draining brought that down to about 55ppm. This is also my first year using cal hypo rather than tablets, is this just the way it goes? 2lbs of this stuff a day is really expensive, at $40 for 6lbs that will only last me 3 days, yikes.

Trying to get this sorted out before summer really hits us, so any help is appreciated.

 

[Oly]

Chlorine demand here is 2ppm per day now and rising as days get longer, temps rise and pool usage increases. Get ready, add liquid chlorine every day and try to avoid an algae bloom. You may already have a low level algae population but may not currently have the tools (proper test kit) to diagnose this now.
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
Test Kits Compared

Here are some short vids.....
This is key.

 

[Newdude]

Hey RP !!!!

We find that pools average 2-4 ppm FC loss daily from UV, with the higher end in the peak season (usually).

1.5 a day in the early season is about right.

2lbs of this stuff a day is really expensive, at $40 for 6lbs that will only last me 3 days, yikes.

Invest in a TFpro from tftestkits.net. it will save you it's purchase price many, MANY times over. At the very least, add the K1515 to your existing kit to be able to test FC over 5.

We will help you every step of the way and keep you from spending on overpriced chemicals.

Once the kit comes or is upgraded,
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. If you fail the overnight test, it's time to SLAM Process.

 

[an1vrsy]

Keep in mind you’re raising calcium hardness level using cal-hypo. With one of the recommended test kits, you’ll be able to manage all chem levels. 2 lbs of 53% cal-hypo adds 3.3 ppm FC

2 gallons of 10% liquid chlorine adds 5.3 ppm free chlorine and a little salt. If you have a Walmart near by, check their price. Normally about $5.47 a gallon. And it is cheaper than the 2 lbs of cal-hypo you’re already using every 3 days.

 

[raspbrypi]

Hey RP !!!!

We find that pools average 2-4 ppm FC loss daily from UV, with the higher end in the peak season (usually).

1.5 a day in the early season is about right.

Invest in a TFpro from tftestkits.net. it will save you it's purchase price many, MANY times over. At the very least, add the K1515 to your existing kit to be able to test FC over 5.

We will help you every step of the way and keep you from spending on overpriced chemicals.

Once the kit comes or is upgraded,
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. If you fail the overnight test, it's time to SLAM Process.

Thanks for the reply. After seeing other comments, and considering I just cleaned my filters, I don't think this is algae. It sounds like I'm just greatly underestimating how much chlorine UV alone uses. I test my water every other day, and if the chlorine is low I add some. This is usually in the mornings, so that means the chlorine I add has to last around 2 days. 3ppm/2 days loss sounds pretty normal. My pool is full sun year round. I will get my water tested at Leslie's for a combined chlorine reading, and if it's out of the normal range then I will do an OCLT. What do you suggest for the lowest cost sanitization? Should I go with something like 50lb in the swim cal hypo or just straight liquid chlorine? My CH is usually on the lower end so cal-hypo also helps with that.

 

[Mdragger88]

If your cya of 55(round to 60) is to be trusted- pool stores get that one wrong more than they do right-
then fc target range is 7-9 ppm, minimum is 5ppm if you’ve been hanging out below minimum you may very well have an algae problem consuming your fc
FC/CYA Levels
The algaecide you put in may be suppressing it some but the algae will win without adequate chlorination.

Algaecide - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

You cannot do an accurate
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test with out the fas/dpd test. This is included in the recommended Taylor k2006(c) & tf100/pro only
Test Kits Compared

It is recommended to use liquid chlorine or a salt water chlorine generator for daily chlorination.

How to Chlorinate Your Pool

Before chlorinating your pool, you should know these simple tips. Learn the best way to add chlorine to your pool.

www.google.com

As for cost, the bigger the pool the more roi with a swg. You have quite a large pool so you would need a 60k gal unit which is the largest they make.

 

[Newdude]

+1 to allllllllll that ^^^^^^^

The pool store isn't open after dark, or before sunrise. You can't OCLT with them. Or anything really. You need to test the pool daily. See how many $14 test cartridges they waste on you when you don't buy the 6 products they reccomend after the 'free test'. Within a week, you won't be getting the free test anymore.

We'll teach you the cheap and easy way, or you can keep doing what you were doing.

 

[wireform]

If this is the look you're after you'll need to leave the pool store in your rear view mirror and follow the very simple guidance the forum members are giving you. The advice here has been true and tried and mixing pool store advice with ours will guarantee you to keep what you have now.

 

[raspbrypi]

+1 to allllllllll that ^^^^^^^

The pool store isn't open after dark, or before sunrise. You can't OCLT with them. Or anything really. You need to test the pool daily. See how many $14 test cartridges they waste on you when you don't buy the 6 products they reccomend after the 'free test'. Within a week, you won't be getting the free test anymore.

We'll teach you the cheap and easy way, or you can keep doing what you were doing.

Didnt think I would have to clarify, but I RARELY go to Leslie's. I got my CYA from my own test kit. My current test kit measures total chlorine (free+combined), and if algae was using my chlorine wouldnt that turn free chlorine into combined chlorine? if so my test kit would still turn yellow showing the combined chlorine, but last time i tested (today) it was completely clear. sorry if thats dumb, im just trying to get a full understanding. the soonest i can get a taylor k1515 is the 21st, til then i will use liquid chlorine to maintain 5ppm

 

[Newdude]

Didnt think I would have to clarify, but I RARELY go to Leslie's. I got my CYA from my own test kit

Ok, great !!

and if algae was using my chlorine wouldnt that turn free chlorine into combined chlorine? if so my test kit would still turn yellow showing the combined chlorine, but last time i tested (today) it was completely clear.

You need chlorine in the first place to make CCs. If your FC is 0, you won't have CCs either. (Unless it *just* went to 0 and the CCs are in the process of burning off). So you could have algae in there, or a host of actually dangerous/unsanitary things, with no CC / FC / TC.

Get the FC up and keep it up.

the soonest i can get a taylor k1515 is the 21st, til then i will use liquid chlorine to maintain 5ppm

Awsome. OCLT when the kit comes.

 

[Mdragger88]

Please add what kit you have to your signature. When the fas/dpd kit comes add that too. It helps folks know what you’re working with.
Also 5ppm fc is minimum - aim for target range. Playing kissy face with minimum is an unnecessary risk.

 

[raspbrypi]

Ok, great !!



You need chlorine in the first place to make CCs. If your FC is 0, you won't have CCs either. (Unless it *just* went to 0 and the CCs are in the process of burning off). So you could have algae in there, or a host of actually dangerous/unsanitary things, with no CC / FC / TC.

Get the FC up and keep it up.

Awsome. OCLT when the kit comes.

Tested chlorine level last night at 9:30PM and it was at 5.6ppm, tested this morning at 4:45AM and it was at 5.2ppm. Water is still completely clear and blue.

 

[Newdude]

Switch to 10ml test samples and each drop is .5 FC. It's plenty close for what we need to do and it saves 2.5X the supplies.

What is the new CYA reading ?

 

[Mdragger88]

Fantastic
So, from here on out - starting now… dose to high target for your cya or a scootch higher & be sure to test & replenish before fc falls to minimum to avoid algae or unsanitary water.
Testing every day will give you a better understanding of how your pool behaves then you can move to every other day. As peak season approaches be watchful, a high uv day can steal your fc quickly.