Start Up Chemistry Results

[DOMO]

Hi all. Been open for about 2 weeks, water improving, but still a little cloudy, so wanted to send along some test results for recommendations (as I just got our new TF-100 kit). Doe the chlorine results (i.e. TC) from the 'daily test kit' make sense based on the FC and CC results? Also, thinking I need to lower the TA (although my Ph has been relatively stable and in range).

Ph 7.2
FC 2
CC 10
TC .5
TA 150
CH 125

 

[Jimrahbe]

D,

I would leave TA alone as long as your pH is somewhat stable.

I'm much more worried about your FC being at 2 ppm. 2 ppm is the absolute minimum you can go with a CYA of 30 and since you did not provide us with your CYA reading I'm going to have to assume it is higher.

See this chart... https://www.troublefreepool.com/content/128-chlorine-cya-chart-slam-shock

This chart is the key to the whole TFP process. You must maintain an FC in relation to your CYA level...

I also assume some typo, as you can't have a CC level of 10 and a TC of .5

It works better for us, when your report your readings, if you only use the results from the TF-100. Do not report the chlorine reading from the "daily" test kit.

Like this...

FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.

 

[DOMO]

Hi Jim, Thanks for the reply. Apologies for not including the CYA, it was 50. I agree on the chlorine readings not making sense, so I re-tested. FC is 2 (4 drops of R-0971, however, I also got a reading of 3 at 6 drops) and CC is 7 (14 drops of R-0871).

 

[Richard320]

Before we all start to panic at the high CC results, let me ask: Did you listen to the pool store and "shock" your pool on opening? Perhaps with some kind of non-chlorine "shock" using monopersulfate? MPS will mess up the CC test. https://www.taylortechnologies.com/ChemistryTopicsCM.ASP?ContentID=24

 

[DOMO]

I avoid the pool store as much as possible. When I opened, I did use a liquid shock to help jump start the process (bottle doesn't say anything about MPS). I had not made the switch to true bleach.

 

[Richard320]

I avoid the pool store as much as possible. When I opened, I did use a liquid shock to help jump start the process (bottle doesn't say anything about MPS). I had not made the switch to true bleach.

Yes, you did. Pool store liquid shock and clorox bleach are the same stuff, just in different concentrations.

Ignore the readings from the colormatching test and stick with FAS-DPD until things get sorted out.

FC 2 and then 3... if you got that by testing with drops and it went clear, and then a minute or two later it went pink again so you resumed the test, your FC is 2.

The high CC could be coming from ammonia, or something rotting in the bottom of the pool. Can you see anything or is it too murky? In either case, more bleach is the answer. And removing any organics by scooping or vacuuming, even if you have to do it blind.

Consider that bleach is an oxidizer. Burning things oxidizes them. Think of it as flameless burning. If the fire isn't hot enough, you get a lot of soot and smoke. That's what CC is. Half-burned stuff. The cure to a smoking fire is more heat and more oxygen. The cure to a lot of CC is more bleach.

 

[DOMO]

OK, thanks. So, will add bleach. Does 1 gallon sound right? I did some more cleaning of organic materials yesterday, so hope that helps. I am see the bottom but it's a little cloudy, but enough to see the bottom drain. Will post back once the bleach cycles. Thanks!

 

[DOMO]

Hi all been a hectic week and we've had some ugly weather up here. Please see sat night's results below. Calcium looks a little better, Alkalinity still high. Waster marginally clearer (but still not perfect) after slamming with bleach. Assuming I need to keep going on that?
Ph 7.2
FC 3.5
CC 7.5
TA 150
CYA 55
CH 100

 

[DOMO]

Hi again. Please see today's test results below. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Ph 7.2
FC 8
CC 0
TA 140
CYA 60
CH 125

 

[Richard320]

Hi again. Please see today's test results below. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Ph 7.2
FC 8
CC 0
TA 140
CYA 60
CH 125

You're nowhere near shock level. Reread the SLAM Process directions. You have to keep things up until the water is clear (even after brushing) the CC is .5 or less, and you pass an overnight loss test, all at the same time.

 

[DOMO]

Thanks for the reply. I have read the SLAM directions, but I must be stupid as apparently I'm not understanding what is needed to get to shock level. I poured 3 big bottles of bleach in but that clearly wasn't enough. I don't understand what is needed to get to SLAM level in relation to my results.

 

[Richard320]

Thanks for the reply. I have read the SLAM directions, but I must be stupid as apparently I'm not understanding what is needed to get to shock level. I poured 3 big bottles of bleach in but that clearly wasn't enough. I don't understand what is needed to get to SLAM level in relation to my results.

Shock level for 60 CYA is 24. To raise 10000 gallons from 8 to 24 will require 237 ounces of 8.25% household bleach per poolmath. That's so close to two full 121 oz jugs that you might as well just empty both at once. In a few hours that 24 will be down a few points, and you plug in the current value with 24 as the target and add some more to keep it at 24.

 

[DOMO]

Hi. Thanks again for your help. Please see last nights results after dropping 2 bottles of bleach in the night before. How is it possible that my FC # is lower? I'm confused!!

Also, we have been battling a yellow staining issue on our finger glass shell (have recently used Jack's Magic Blue Stuff, but no noticeable improvement. Is our Calcium # low and is it possible that is contributing to that problem?

As always, thank you for the help!

Ph 7.0
FC 4.0
CC 2
TA 110
CYA 60
CH 100

 

[DOMO]

Hi again. So here are yesterday's results. I am concerned that as I continue to dump bleach in I am not getting the FC up to SLAM level (although it has climbed slightly, but certainly not at the 24 level I need). Also, rather concerned that my Calcium level has dropped so dramatically, and it was already on the lower side at 100 previously (and we are dealing with a yellow staining issue on our FG pool shell, so thinking this needs to be addressed?). Please help!

Ph 7.2
FC 9.0
CC 0
TA 120
CYA 65
CH 30

 

[Richard320]

How often are you checking the FC and adding more bleach? You can easily lose half the FC to sunlight in a day, and if you're fighting algae, even faster. Don't worry ab but FC & CC during a SLAM. The rest can be fixed in a couple hours, once you've eradicated any algae. If the water is clearing up and it's still really thirsty for bleach, then you need to check the hiding places like behind lights and beneath steps and ladder rungs.

How does the water look?

 

[DOMO]

Thanks for the reply. Have been checking every 24-36 hrs. We don't get much algae as we're FG. No ladder rungs or hidden areas. Water is pretty clear, can see the bottom drain, but not perfectly clear as we usually get. The appearance of the water however is tainted by the yellow staining we have developed on our shell which we are trying to remove.

 

[Richard320]

I suggest you run the SLAM Process process exactly as described to completion. Then deal with balancing. And lastly, the acsorbic acid treatment for stains. FC has to be low to treat the stains, so if any algae remains, it will come back with a vengeance. Taking FC up to shock level once and then ignoring it is not a SLAM.

 

[DOMO]

Thanks. A few days ago it was recommended 2 bottles of bleach to bring to SLAM level, but it never got there. Have done that twice now at my CYA level, but haven't been able to get FC anywhere near SLAM level. On the staining, not sure what the ascorbic acid procedure is (is there a link for that)? I have tested the stains with vitamin C and the stains did not react.

 

[Flying Tivo]

Thanks. A few days ago it was recommended 2 bottles of bleach to bring to SLAM level, but it never got there. Have done that twice now at my CYA level, but haven't been able to get FC anywhere near SLAM level. On the staining, not sure what the ascorbic acid procedure is (is there a link for that)? I have tested the stains with vitamin C and the stains did not react.

The main problem is that you add the 2 bottles of bleach and then recheck 24 hours later, when Slamming you need to check every 10-15 minutes. If it falls below 15 you need to add immediately more to get back up to 24, then repeat checking and adding until it does not fall. Then you can check FC every 4-6 hours. You cant just add and leave unattended a SLAM.

Felipe