Pool store couldn’t even get reading or explain it!

[Alwayshad1]

Good afternoon,
I have always bought my chlorine, and acid from the same store. I test my own pool chemistry with a Taylor test kit and keep up on maintenance. I do not use stabilizer pellets and add chlorine as needed to maintain proper levels, shocking after heavy rains or swimming. A few days ago I dumped about a gallon of chlorine in the pool due to the reasons above and a few ounces in the 300 gallon spa. But I did not check levels prior or after(stupid me). Today checked the levels and could not get any reading in either pool or spa. So I went ahead and cleaned both filters and started back up. Added a few ounces to the spa and Several to the pool and still no reading. Don’t know if this made sense but I took a bucket filled with water from both the pool and the faucet and added a couple ounces of chlorine to both of them. Still no reading from those buckets. Is that normal? Defective chlorine? Went up to the pool store and everything duplicated the same way. I just dumped almost two gallons of chlorine from a new container in the pool and about eight ounces in the spa. I did a test right after and still nothing. Should I get a reading in an hour or so? Surely even if there was algae or other contaminants it would not destroy all that chlorine that fast right? At my wits end here...All the pool store lady seemed to be concerned about was that I did not use the stabilizer...which I have never used before and had no problems. Ideas? Picture is pool right now.
****update***Just did test on pool and it is at 30ppm. The spa...I stopped adding drops after 40 ppm...running out of reagent! Will update tomorrow...for what it is worth I used a new jug of chlorine, maybe just a coincidence I don’t know.

 

[reggiehammond]

Post a full set of test results.

It sounds like you don't exactly follow TFP methods, given you are "shocking" the pool. If you truly have no CYA (stabilizer), then yes, in full sun, your FC would stand no chance. TFP methods rely on the science of the relationship of FC/CYA Levels.

If you do have CYA, then perhaps:

Ammonia - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Lack of CYA is a killer of chlorine, hence algae moves in. Daily to EOD testing should be peformed....not just once in a while. You're in FL, and the sun is wild there. Why no CYA? Don't assume the birdcage screen will block all the rays, it won't.

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.troublefreepool.com

Check date on your chlorine. Was it fresh and less than 3 mo old? Not stored in hot sun or anything?
If not... you may be so high you're bleaching out the test if the store used strips to test?

Maddie

 

[Alwayshad1]

So my understanding was that stabilizer somewhat diminishes the ability of chlorine to do its job due to the fact that it’s trying to prevent it from losing its potency. Kind of like a soldier fighting the bad guys while getting defeated by the heat of the sun...so along comes stabilizer to put a protective cover over the soldier to protect him from the sun, but while doing so limits his fighting abilities. That’s how it was explained to me. Maybe I’m wrong.

 

[mknauss]

CYA - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

That's a weird analogy. But the solution is to add more soldiers. With higher CYA, you need higher FC.

 

[Alwayshad1]

That's a weird analogy. But the solution is to add more soldiers. With higher CYA, you need higher FC.

So say I admit I’m wrong...and I probably am..if I decided to put the stabilizer in with a pool about 13,500 gallons and a spa about 300 gallons with no stabilizer in it, how much would I need and is there a certain time when I should add it? Like when chlorine level is at a certain level.

 

[mknauss]

Half life of chlorine in a pool with no stabilizer, with sun shining on the surface, is 50 minutes. So you would need to constantly add chlorine during the daylight hours.

That is why some pools with a SaltWater Chlorine Generator can have essentially no stabilizer and be OK, since they can run the SWCG at high output to make up. It burns up the SWCG quickly, but homeowners with out interest let it happen.

 

[Alwayshad1]

Lack of CYA is a killer of chlorine, hence algae moves in. Daily to EOD testing should be peformed....not just once in a while. You're in FL, and the sun is wild there. Why no CYA? Don't assume the birdcage screen will block all the rays, it won't.

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.troublefreepool.com

Check date on your chlorine. Was it fresh and less than 3 mo old? Not stored in hot sun or anything?
If not... you may be so high you're bleaching out the test if the store used strips to test?

Maddie

No two weeks old in shaded area. No test strips used just Taylor chemicals.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Ok, but still your chlorine isn't there when and where you need it. How then do you protect yourself and guest swimmers from person-to-person illness diarrhea, eye and ear infections, other odd things in water? Water is not a sterile product and chlorine is a consumable item so you need to protect it...and your swimmers.
So here are some basics to review-
Pool Care Basics

Maddie

 

[reggiehammond]

So say I admit I’m wrong...and I probably am..if I decided to put the stabilizer in with a pool about 13,500 gallons and a spa about 300 gallons with no stabilizer in it, how much would I need and is there a certain time when I should add it? Like when chlorine level is at a certain level.

Use PoolMath to determine the right amount of CYA to target 30-40ppm to start.

Once you have measurable CYA, then the FC/CYA Levels charts will direct you to the proper FC needed to maintain the pool.