Hi, I am a new pool owner. I just bought a house with a pool so this pool is well established. I have tested water and pH is 7.9, alkalinity 80 but CYA is 144 and high calcium. I use trichlor tablets (2-3/week, 9000 gal pool). I was told that I should use CYA, Ca2+ free shock chemistry, which basically is sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlor). But I am not sure if it is ok to use pool bleach with Trichlor. Any advise? Thank you!
- May 3, 2014
- 58,370
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Welcome to the forum!
What test kit did you use for your chemistry results?
Read How to Chlorinate Your Pool - Trouble Free Pool
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.
What test kit did you use for your chemistry results?
Read How to Chlorinate Your Pool - Trouble Free Pool
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.
Thank you for your reply.
I took water sample to a local pool/spa store and they tested for me.
I took water sample to a local pool/spa store and they tested for me.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,370
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You need a proper test kit, see Test Kits Compared. I suggest the TF-100 A proper test kit is needed to get the accurate water chemistry results needed to follow the TFP protocols.
So, you are saying that the professional tests they have at the stores are not accurate?
Base on the videos you posted it means that it is OK to mix trichlor tablets used on a regular basis and liquid chlorine to shock the pool ?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,370
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
That is correct. The accuracy and repeatability of testing from pool stores is not acceptable. You, as the pool owner, with a proper test kit will provide much more accurate and reliable test results.
You can use Trichlor if you like, with testing, and frequent water drain/fill. We do not 'shock' pool water.
The TFPC way of maintenance is to add to your pool what it needs based on testing. The most sustainable way of maintaining the sanitizer level in your pool water is with daily liquid chlorine additions or the installation of a SaltWater Chlorine Generator.
You can use Trichlor if you like, with testing, and frequent water drain/fill. We do not 'shock' pool water.
The TFPC way of maintenance is to add to your pool what it needs based on testing. The most sustainable way of maintaining the sanitizer level in your pool water is with daily liquid chlorine additions or the installation of a SaltWater Chlorine Generator.
First, welcome to TFP!
Nope, not particularly accurate. Or rather, not reliable. They got you in the store, that's what's important ?
The free ones done specifically to get you in the store so they have the opportunity to sell you products?
Nope, not particularly accurate. Or rather, not reliable. They got you in the store, that's what's important ?
DeanP66
0
We have a term here. We call it "Getting Pool Stored". It's when they run some tests on a sample of your pool water and then sell you a bunch of unnecessary chemicals that make your wallet lighter. It's amazing how many people find this forum after getting "pool stored" looking for a better and cheaper way.
OK, So now I know that stores are bad, the tests are not good but still do not know answer to my question. I bought a house and the previous owner was using trichlor tablets and was adding "shock" products when necessary. I live in Tucson AZ, so unstabilized chlorine will be destroyed in minutes. Another thing is that I am working person and do not have time to test water every day and add chlorine on daily basis, which in AZ will cause spikes and valleys every single day.
I have 1200V multitest and show similar results as these from a pool store. I promise the next one will be suggested above.
Worse than that, they stink!!
If you stay with us and continue to read the thousands and thousands of pool owners like you who have figured out pool store testing is bogus.
I could tell you didn't like that answer but it really is the truth,
We hope you stay and continue to read and learn.
You already have plenty of stabilizer, so any bleach you add is protected.
If you can't add liquid chlorine daily, get a liquidator or a peristaltic pump to add it for you, or install a saltwater chlorine generator and make your pwn bleach onsite. Use the search box up above on those terms. You'll find plenty.
Thank you. I will definitely search for those. I still do not have answer to my question. Is it OK, safe to mix trichlor and sodium hypochlorite in the pool? I was told i shouldn't mix different types of chlor e.g. dichlor, with trichlor or trichlor with pool bleach.
Yes, I am new to this topic and I need time to learn things about pools. Step by step but for now I need to make sure that the water pool is safe until learn about other solutions.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,370
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Once the products are in the pool water, they are dispersed into their constituents. So there is no direct mixing of trichlor and sodium hypochlorite. You do not want to mix them directly together or via a chlorinator.
- Jun 8, 2019
- 4,574
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
So long as they’re not added in the same place it’s fine. But if your CYA is over 140 then you certainly don’t want to add more, which Trichlor will.
From reading your posts it seems like you are thinking chlorine needs to be added in stabilized form for the stabilizer to work on it. That is not the case. The chlorine is used up as it oxidizes and some is always lost to UV, but the stabilizer (CYA) doesn’t leave the pool. It just builds up. And the more CYA you have, the less the FC will work.
Stick around, get a kit and test your levels yourself. If your CYA is really 140+ you will likely need to do a water exchange or drain/refill to bring it back down to 50 or so. That is a good amount of CYA in a pool in a hot and sunny environment. Then you can add liquid chlorine as needed (usually every day or two). How much will depend on your FC levels from your testing.
I’m assuming your pool is clear, no visible algae currently?
From reading your posts it seems like you are thinking chlorine needs to be added in stabilized form for the stabilizer to work on it. That is not the case. The chlorine is used up as it oxidizes and some is always lost to UV, but the stabilizer (CYA) doesn’t leave the pool. It just builds up. And the more CYA you have, the less the FC will work.
Stick around, get a kit and test your levels yourself. If your CYA is really 140+ you will likely need to do a water exchange or drain/refill to bring it back down to 50 or so. That is a good amount of CYA in a pool in a hot and sunny environment. Then you can add liquid chlorine as needed (usually every day or two). How much will depend on your FC levels from your testing.
I’m assuming your pool is clear, no visible algae currently?
Once one is dissolved in the pool, you can add a different type. You just don't want to mix them together before adding.
THANK YOU!!!
Just do want to add more stabilizer which is together with Trichlor. I would like to maintain the pool as is until the cooler months (November/December) and then I will think about modifications. Hopefully I will know more by then. mistakes are inevitable but I am hoping to avoid as many as possible.
One more question (probably one of many) any good resources about salt vs chlorine pools? Pros and cons? Should I convert chlorine to salt water pool? Is it expensive?
BTW, I am sorry for all mistakes... English is my second language.
- Jun 8, 2019
- 4,574
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
It’s all good, your English seems quite well. Just keep in mind that CYA or stabilizer does NOT need to be added with the chlorine for it to protect the chlorine. The CYA already in the pool will protect it already.
A saltwater pool is a chlorine pool - it just uses a saltwater cell to make the chlorine instead of adding it via liquid or pucks/granules. Cons are the initial cost and that they don’t last forever - eventually you have to replace the salt cell. Pros are that if you get them dialed in right they can make all the chlorine you typically need and so you don’t need to add more via other forms.
A saltwater pool is a chlorine pool - it just uses a saltwater cell to make the chlorine instead of adding it via liquid or pucks/granules. Cons are the initial cost and that they don’t last forever - eventually you have to replace the salt cell. Pros are that if you get them dialed in right they can make all the chlorine you typically need and so you don’t need to add more via other forms.
CYA doesn't go away. Chlorine does. So if you keep adding stabilized chlorine, you'll get too much. And then you have to drain the pool. Which is where you are if CYA is 144. That's about three times as much as you want.
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