Safe to swim? FC 8, PH 7.7, CYA 0, TA 53, CH 24

[NYinATX]

Hello - I've been maintaining the water since we installed our pool (1.5 yrs) trying to follow TFP methodology. For the past month, the FC has been 7-8 and I've lowered the SWG to 20% but the FC hasn't come down. We would like to heat the pool to swim but I'm not sure if it's safe; do I need to add neutralizer to lower the chlorine level?

Also, I've tried to increase CYA a couple of times but have only managed to get it up in the 40s, and it doesn't stay. I thought the only way to remove CYA was to drain the water but I haven't done that so not sure how it has dropped to 0 (and having the FC remain high...)

Would appreciate some guidance on what I may not be doing correctly.

 

[ajw22]

What test kit are you using?

If CYA is really 0 then FC of 8 is too harsh to safely swim in.

When did you last add stabilizer/CYA and how did you add it?

You need at least 20-30 PPM of CYA to be safe at FC 8.

What chemicals are you putting in your pool?

You need to raise the CYA, not lower the chlorine.

 

[NYinATX]

I have the TF-Pro test kit and because I still feel the need to cross check my test results, I took the water into Leslie's.

The last time I added Chlorox chlorine stabilizer was several months ago. This was the only brand I could find at the time.

I'm a bit confused though because if I increase CYA with FC 8 then aren't I holding the FC at 8?

 

[ajw22]

Tell me what your TF-Pro tests show.

We have no interest in Leslie tests.

How are you chlorinating the pool?

What do you mean by "holding the FC at 8"?

 

[NYinATX]

My test is FC 8, CC 0, CYA 0, PH 7.8 (will add muriatic acid for this as I have to weekly), and I didn't test CH.

We use SWG for chlorine and I have lowered the output to 20% (thinking about turning it to 0% if the chlorine level keeps so high).

My confusion is if CYA is needed to hold chlorine levels but my chlorine level is high then wouldn't I want to lower the chlorine level first and then increase CYA?

 

[ajw22]

Your FC would not be high if your CYA were 30-40. It is better to raise your CYA to meet your FC level.

The fastest path to swimming is to add 1 gallon of liquid stabilizer around the pool, which should raise your CYA 25 PPM. Shake the bottle well. Then, after pouring it into the pool, fill it halfway with pool water, shake it, and pour it into the pool. Repeat until the water is clear and you have poured everything in the bottle into the pool.

The CYA may take a few days to show in the test, but you can swim after the water has circulated for 12 hours.

 

[NYinATX]

Your FC would not be high if your CYA were 30-40. It is better to raise your CYA to meet your FC level.

The fastest path to swimming is to add 1 gallon of liquid stabilizer around the pool, which should raise your CYA 25 PPM. Shake the bottle well. Then, after pouring it into the pool, fill it halfway with pool water, shake it, and pour it into the pool. Repeat until the water is clear and you have poured everything in the bottle into the pool.

The CYA may take a few days to show in the test, but you can swim after the water has circulated for 12 hours.

Thanks so much for your help. Will follow the advice but if you have time, could you help me understand why my approach wasn't effective? Just trying to learn

 

[ajw22]

I do not understand the details of what your approach is to critique it.

 

[Bperry]

Thanks so much for your help. Will follow the advice but if you have time, could you help me understand why my approach wasn't effective? Just trying to learn

Show us your CYA test result in a picture. That may help avoid mistakes from possible testing error.

 

[Newdude]

Are you letting the water sample warm up to room temperature? Cold water messes up the CYA test. Per your recent weather, your water is pretty cool.

 

[JamesW]

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