"Target" and "Recommended" levels

invmgmt

Member
Jun 28, 2024
14
Laguna Hills, CA
OK, so after I added the test results the top item is pH is below the ideal range". Then, when I go to pH is shows current reading of 7.4 and the "target" at 7.2 and thells me to LOWER the pH by adding acid. My question is why does it show a target of 7.2 when it also shows an ideal range of 7.6-7.8? Is it infuenced by the alkalinity (currently at 80)? Didi I somehow inadvertantly change the target and it is trying to correct to that? All suggestions are welcome.

I have been battling algae on the surfaces and I am brushing every 1 or 2 days. Can't seem to get ahead of it. The CYA level was high but now at 50 after draining and refilling a few times at about 10% each time. Actually doesn't seem like it went down at all the last time replacing 10%, still at 50. The FC is 8 and the CC is 0.5.

My pool get tons of sunlight and it is hot in So Cal, water temp is 87.

Thoughts?
 
PoolMathis just a calculator.
If your present pH is 7.4 and you input a target of 7.2, it will recommend adding muriatic acid to lower the pH from 7.4 to 7.2.

Don't confuse that with the recommended or ideal range.

To your issue with algae....
Do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
If you fail the OCLT, you need to SLAM Process
With a CYA of 50, your SLAM Process FC level is 20.
Brush DAILY
Continue the SLAM Process until you pass ALL 3 CRITERIA outlined in the SLAM Process.
 
PoolMathis just a calculator.
If your present pH is 7.4 and you input a target of 7.2, it will recommend adding muriatic acid to lower the pH from 7.4 to 7.2.

Don't confuse that with the recommended or ideal range.

To your issue with algae....
Do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
If you fail the OCLT, you need to SLAM Process
With a CYA of 50, your SLAM Process FC level is 20.
Brush DAILY
Continue the SLAM Process until you pass ALL 3 CRITERIA outlined in the SLAM Process.
proavia, I don't believe that I changedtarget to 7.2. My question is will the app change the target based on other chemical readings.
Are you slamming yet? If not then that's what you're missing. SLAM!
The water is not discolored at all, in fact it looks very clear, it is just surface algae. The FC at 8 should be at a level to stop the algae forming on the walls, I would suspect.
 
proavia, I don't believe that I changedtarget to 7.2. My question is will the app change the target based on other chemical readings.
No - it is possible that PoolMath defaults to 7.2. You need to enter the target you want to attain.

The water is not discolored at all, in fact it looks very clear, it is just surface algae. The FC at 8 should be at a level to stop the algae forming on the walls, I would suspect.
If you have 'surface' algae, you need to brush the entire pool.
In order to eradicate the algae, you need to SLAM.
To prove to yourself that you need to SLAM, do an OCLT.
 
Did the OCLT and, not surprisingly, the levels did not change. I had added additional chlorine much-much earlier in the day hoping it would help and ran the pump all night. FC = 10, CC 0.5 after sunset, FC=10, CC=0.5 at sunrise.
Did you fully brush the pool and allow the pump to circulate the water first before doing the initial FC test in the evening?
Is there any visible algae anywhere in the pool?

If you have visible algae you need to complete the SLAM Process.
 
Brushed the pool, yes. Earlier in day. Pump is running 24/7. Based on the pum, it should completely cycle the pool in 5 hours. I can certainly SLAM, but according to the OCLT, I don't have FC loss or increase in CC. Are we sure that it couldn't possibly be anything else?
 

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