Time to slam again?

[Envieddesigns]

TFP is a breeze, letting your pool water get sideways not so much.
What boggles the mind is how many living organisms it takes to make your pool water cloudy. Algae reproduces rapidly and requires chlorine to eradicate.
Once you are back on top test often for an early clue that you are not meeting daily FC demand. Keep your FC well in the target zone for your CYA FC/CYA Levels. Stock up on inexpensive CYA reagent and practice testing and add CYA in 10ppm increments to find and confirm your pools sweet spot. Every day check water clarity especially at night and run a quick Overnight Chlorine Loss Test if you have any doubt.
Getting your pool back into TFP shape takes some work keeping it there is much easier.

I’m now stuck, I just did my last test for the night, at 5:50 pm I dosed 176oz of bleach.
At 7:05pm I was at 21.5 FC
At 8:09pm FC 23
Now at 9:17pm I’m at FC 20.5
I probably have enough RO871 liquid for one maybe two tests I’m guessing.
Any suggestions, should I just check now again in the AM?
Also after checking in the AM if I’m ok, should I dose a certain amount if I’m left without ways to test until I get my TFT order.
I mean if my FC dropped already in the past hour by that much I’m prob not done with SLAM.

 

[Oly]

Not stuck only a short delay. Source more R-0871 then bring your FC up to SLAM level tonight late. Wait to test again in the morning and raise to SLAM. While waiting for more reagent add liquid by best estimate to keep FC up. You may fall below your target and extend your time but perhaps you can resupply in time for the weekend when you have more time to stay at target. Are you seeing any progress in clarity? Turn on the light at night.

 

[Envieddesigns]

Not stuck only a short delay. Source more R-0871 then bring your FC up to SLAM level tonight late. Wait to test again in the morning and raise to SLAM. While waiting for more reagent add liquid by best estimate to keep FC up. You may fall below your target and extend your time but perhaps you can resupply in time for the weekend when you have more time to stay at target. Are you seeing any progress in clarity? Turn on the light at night.

Clarity has been there. I actually did turn my light on last night. Looked down at the deep end and didn’t see particles in the stream of light.
I just tested and I lost 1ppm overnight. From last nights test at 9pm FC 20.5 to 6am FC 19.5 I went ahead and dosed it to bring her to slam FC 20. We had some rain last night. I think before I leave for work I’ll guesstimate a dosage without testing to save on my regnant for tonight.
Also I’m about halfway on my last 5gal jug of chlorine. I’ve gone through almost 15 gals in 3 weeks

 

[Envieddesigns]

So I passed the OCLT for SLAM. Though I’m getting 0.5 on CC is this ok?

 

[Newdude]

It is. Well done !!!

 

[Envieddesigns]

So based on my current CYA of 50 the target for FC says 6 and recommended say 4-8 so should I shoot for the higher FC of 8 going forward.

 

[Newdude]

4 is minimum. Target is 6-8. Pool math only knows that if you are testing to add today's dose, anywhere 4-8 means you didn't fall below minimum yet. Then it's up to you. If you still have 8, you are good until tomorrow. If you are closer to 4 you need FC and STAT.

When you dose, aim for the 8 and not the 6. The average pool loses between 2-4 ppm per day through the summer. 6 is a GREAT end point tomorrow. It is a TERRIBLE start point today.

 

[BoringDamo]

Each pool is different and unique and you will get to learn what your pool does and when. This is why there is a range.
The minimum isn’t a “minimum target” for dosing, it’s a “don’t ever let your pool get below this number”.
If your pool loses 3ppm per day then you want to target at least 7ppm so you won’t go below minimum. In reality most of us want some safety margin so we might even target 8 or 9ppm. As long as it’s below SLAM level it’s safe to swim.
Some events happen that affect FC loss more than normal, eg super sunny days (especially if you aren’t in one of the more sunny climates) or heavy bather load. When these things happen you need to still make sure you don’t go below minimum.
Know that your having a party? Maybe target a couple ppm higher than normal, or top up a couple after the party.
It’s your pool, how much you lose will be different to the next person but from regular testing you will work out what generally happens and what events make it abnormal loss for you.
However, the average loss seems to be 2-4ppm. If it does get higher than 4ppm and you pass an OCLT (ie it’s not algae making it higher) then you might think about a slightly higher CYA.

For me, I lose about 1-2ppm a day (Uk weather is generally rubbish and I run a solar cover). But I work away each day and can’t rely on my wife to do the testing and dosing (she does it sporadicallly). So I target 5ppm above minimum. That means I get a day where if a dose is missed it doesn’t matter plus a bit of leeway (my logical brain does 2 + 2 + 1 for 2 days dosing plus a bit)

 

[Oly]

BoringDamo well stated. You need to copy this response on your computer and paste it into future threads when this information needs to be shared again. New frustrated pool owners arrive here daily the informative responses follow quickly then the thread turns over and falls off the front page fast. Thanks for taking the time to help others understand in detail how this works.

 

[Envieddesigns]

So I finally received more R-0871 and proceeded with slamming. I passed the overnight test with FC of 18 at 10pm and at 7:30am FC still 18
So before I left for work I said let me dose 32oz of chlorine because I figured I’d want to run slam tonight to be safe. I just got home and tested and got an FC of 11.5 ?
Loosing about 8 ppm in 10 hrs?
Water is clear.

 

[Newdude]

No loss at night and big loss during the day points to low CYA.

 

[Envieddesigns]

No loss at night and big loss during the day points to low CYA.

I’m getting 40 CYA

 

[Newdude]

I’m getting 40 CYA

I saw your logs and know it appears to be a 40, but nothing changed since last night except today's UV demand. Do another OCLT tonight on the off chance a bloom started today.

Make sure to verify you reached target tonight, and mix for 15 mins before testing in the morning. If you pass OCLT again, and lose FC unexpectedly tomorrow, it's the CYA.

 

[Oly]

Maybe someone is renting out your pool and yard by the hour while you're at work.
Pool Party! Sorry... trying to consider all possibilities here.

 

[Envieddesigns]

I saw your logs and know it appears to be a 40, but nothing changed since last night except today's UV demand. Do another OCLT tonight on the off chance a bloom started today.

Make sure to verify you reached target tonight, and mix for 15 mins before testing in the morning. If you pass OCLT again, and lose FC unexpectedly tomorrow, it's the CYA.

When you say mix for 15 min? You mean letting the filter run? I haven’t turned my filter off since I’ve opened the pool back in April.

 

[Newdude]

When you say mix for 15 min

Yeah. Sometimes people forget to mix.

I haven’t turned my filter off since I’ve opened the pool back in April.

*Nods in 24/7* carry on.

So looking back at your CYA pics, your shadow says it's pretty late in the day. (I know what time you posted it but that could have been the other day test, just as late) You need overhead sun for the test and proper light is everything. Try it again and maybe it changes, maybe not, but at least we can rule out the lighting.

 

[Envieddesigns]

Yeah. Sometimes people forget to mix.

*Nods in 24/7* carry on.

So looking back at your CYA pics, your shadow says it's pretty late in the day. (I know what time you posted it but that could have been the other day test, just as late) You need overhead sun for the test and proper light is everything. Try it again and maybe it changes, maybe not, but at least we can rule out the lighting.

Yes, that test was from today sun setting behind me. Here is another test in well lit garage.

 

[Envieddesigns]

Another thing is my Chems sit in my garage unconditioned. Sometimes the bottles condense. I have a refrigerator in the garage can I keep them next to my cold beers?

 

[Orion7319]

Another thing is my Chems sit in my garage unconditioned. Sometimes the bottles condense. I have a refrigerator in the garage can I keep them next to my cold beers?

I wouldn’t put anything in your fridge. If your keeping muriatic acid in your garage that’s not so good. If your keeping your test kit in the garage in the heat your reagents will go bad and your tests will be off.

Chemical Storage and Safety - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Envieddesigns]

FC of 15 from 18 last night. Guess it’s still going. Must have some good going on in there.