Update - Around 9pm last night I added bleach to FC Shock level based on pool math. This morning (day 5) around 7:30am we were back down to 13.5 FC. Pool still looks the same as the pics posted yesterday. Added more bleach based on pool math; continuing to brush and vacuum. During this process, I've backwashed twice when the gauge showed an increase from normal; will do it again today for good measure even though the gauge doesn't indicate a need.
Unable to maintain chlorine levels - help
- Thread starter sas90
- Start date
Stephanie, it is important to test the water about 30 minutes after you dose with chlorine in the evening to know what number you are at. Pool Math normally works well but there are too many variables in play to assume you landed at the goal you set. It is best to test after the sun is off the pool and before it hits the pool in the morning.
And just so you know a slightly dirty filter will filter better than a clean one so wait for it to rise 20-25% over the clean pressure.
And just so you know a slightly dirty filter will filter better than a clean one so wait for it to rise 20-25% over the clean pressure.
ok - good points; thank you! i will do that this evening! And, i did not know that about the filter so i won't do a backwash until the rise you indicated. thanks again!
FYI - before I started to SLAM my CYA was 50; cl/CYA Chart indicates FC Shock of 20 so that's what's entered in pool math.
Yesterday evening 8/9 (day 5) -
Around 8:30pm my FC was 17 (it had been a couple hours since i added any bleach). i added bleach based on pool math. at 9pm, my FC was 18.5 so I added more bleach based on pool math. at 10pm, my FC was 23.
Question - any thoughts why I was above recommended FC shock level (after 1 hr of dosing) when at 30 minutes it was only 18.5?
This morning 8/10 (day 6), FC is 14.5. I added chlorine based on pool math and re-checked in 30 minutes. My FC is 23. The sun is up but my pool is on the west side and does not have any sun hitting the water. I re-checked it approx. 1 hr post bleach application and my FC is 22.
I'm wondering if i still need to adjust the galloons of my pool? i have 13,200 listed in pool math calculator. either way, i'm hitting my shock level yet still losing quite a bit FC overnight? the pool/water looks the same as the pictures posted a couple days ago.
Note - I use the same method of testing each time, i.e. water sample from the same area, same depth and use a speed stir. i take my sample from middle edge of pool at least 12 inches below water level. there is a return in the deep end and a return on the opposite side (of where i'm taking my sample) of the middle of pool but aiming towards shallow end.
Question - is there an ideal place in pool to take water sample?
Yesterday evening 8/9 (day 5) -
Around 8:30pm my FC was 17 (it had been a couple hours since i added any bleach). i added bleach based on pool math. at 9pm, my FC was 18.5 so I added more bleach based on pool math. at 10pm, my FC was 23.
Question - any thoughts why I was above recommended FC shock level (after 1 hr of dosing) when at 30 minutes it was only 18.5?
This morning 8/10 (day 6), FC is 14.5. I added chlorine based on pool math and re-checked in 30 minutes. My FC is 23. The sun is up but my pool is on the west side and does not have any sun hitting the water. I re-checked it approx. 1 hr post bleach application and my FC is 22.
I'm wondering if i still need to adjust the galloons of my pool? i have 13,200 listed in pool math calculator. either way, i'm hitting my shock level yet still losing quite a bit FC overnight? the pool/water looks the same as the pictures posted a couple days ago.
Note - I use the same method of testing each time, i.e. water sample from the same area, same depth and use a speed stir. i take my sample from middle edge of pool at least 12 inches below water level. there is a return in the deep end and a return on the opposite side (of where i'm taking my sample) of the middle of pool but aiming towards shallow end.
Question - is there an ideal place in pool to take water sample?
please also see my post just before this one.
At 9am, FC is now 21 (1.5 hours after application of bleach). Sun still not on water.
i will revert back to checking every few hours and applying bleach based on pool math. Please let me know if there are any adjustments i need to make and would certainly welcome thoughts on the above questions.
thank you!
At 9am, FC is now 21 (1.5 hours after application of bleach). Sun still not on water.
i will revert back to checking every few hours and applying bleach based on pool math. Please let me know if there are any adjustments i need to make and would certainly welcome thoughts on the above questions.
thank you!
at noon my FC is 16.5. i will add bleach based on pool math.
hoping someone out there has some answers (see questions above)?
hoping someone out there has some answers (see questions above)?
- May 3, 2014
- 62,714
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Question 1 - the pool was mixed better. You might find you need to brush a bit after adding a chemical to disburse it.
Question 2 - A bit below surface. Same area all the time. Nothing to worry over. Just try to be consistent.
You are doing great. Stay at it.
Question 2 - A bit below surface. Same area all the time. Nothing to worry over. Just try to be consistent.
You are doing great. Stay at it.
My SLAM process has been interrupted with rain the last 3 of 4 days; from looking at the water level in the pool, last night alone we got about 2-3 inches of rain!
Around 8:30pm (8/13/17), I added bleach based on pool math and 1 hr later the FC was 21. This morning it is 17.
Question - I have to go out of town and won't be back until after dark tomorrow night. What can I do to not lose ground on this?
I'm on day 10 of SLAM. The water remains the same as the pictures i posted several days ago.
Around 8:30pm (8/13/17), I added bleach based on pool math and 1 hr later the FC was 21. This morning it is 17.
Question - I have to go out of town and won't be back until after dark tomorrow night. What can I do to not lose ground on this?
I'm on day 10 of SLAM. The water remains the same as the pictures i posted several days ago.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,714
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
If no one can add bleach while you are gone do what you would do if you left under normal maintenance. How do you chlorinate if you leave without doing a SLAM?
You will most likely back track. But hit it often when you return.
Rain has minimal effect on pool water chemistry. pH tends to rise due to aeration.
Take care.
You will most likely back track. But hit it often when you return.
Rain has minimal effect on pool water chemistry. pH tends to rise due to aeration.
Take care.
i used to chlorinate with the in-line chlorinator that holds 3 inch chlorine tabs.
Based on pool math i only need to add 59 oz of bleach. I may just add a jug (121 oz) of bleach just before i leave today and then see where I'm at tomorrow night if I can't get anyone to add 1 more jug tomorrow morning. For the last few days, in total, it's probably still requiring around a jug of bleach. do you think that would work?
thanks again!
Based on pool math i only need to add 59 oz of bleach. I may just add a jug (121 oz) of bleach just before i leave today and then see where I'm at tomorrow night if I can't get anyone to add 1 more jug tomorrow morning. For the last few days, in total, it's probably still requiring around a jug of bleach. do you think that would work?
thanks again!
- May 3, 2014
- 62,714
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
That should work.
When you get out of your SLAM mode you will need to consider keeping your CYA a bit low so you can use the tablets when you leave.
Take care.
When you get out of your SLAM mode you will need to consider keeping your CYA a bit low so you can use the tablets when you leave.
Take care.
So, I returned last night, tested the water and added bleach; 1 hr later (and after dark) my FC was 21.5 (target 20). This morning (before sun hit pool), FC is 19 so i'm hoping i'm near the end of this process. I've had to waste water twice now (once on Sunday and once yesterday) due to the volume of rain we've received over the last several days.
I also added a new pressure gauge on sunday and has been around psi 10.
I also added a new pressure gauge on sunday and has been around psi 10.
- Mar 24, 2014
- 2,455
- Pool Size
- 32000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool SJ-55
I hear you on that one. I like to keep my water below halfway on my skimmer and it's nearly impossible all the rain we've been getting.
Sounds like you are close, how 'bout a picture when you decide you are done!
So last night after sunset, my FC was 21. This morning it is 20! My CCs are 0.5 so i believe i'm done. However, i'm wondering if i should now do the 24 hr shock level for yellow/mustard algae just to be safe? As i understand it, if it's this type of algae that caused my problem it will return if i don't do this final step.
Any thoughts or advice?
Any thoughts or advice?
just wondering if anyone is out there that may have some input on this final step?
Was mustard algae confirmed?
It's your pool, if you will feel better about raising to mustard slam level for 24 hours, go for it. Worst case is you wasted the bleach, and made it a bit harsh on the pool for a day.
It's your pool, if you will feel better about raising to mustard slam level for 24 hours, go for it. Worst case is you wasted the bleach, and made it a bit harsh on the pool for a day.
How do I confirm mustard algae? in reading about it, it just references its appearance and where it's found. and that's it difficult to get rid of.
before and after SLAM, my water has looked the same to me, the only difference is the green discolored areas (patches 3-5 in diameter; worse when chlorine levels were 0) i saw on the sides of the pool are no longer visible.
before and after SLAM, my water has looked the same to me, the only difference is the green discolored areas (patches 3-5 in diameter; worse when chlorine levels were 0) i saw on the sides of the pool are no longer visible.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,714
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
well, my pool is on the west side of the house so i don't feel like any sides of the pool are more shaded than others so that didn't help me. the green areas have been found on sides that protruded out into the water (i have a free form fiberglass pool) as well as sides that were concave (curved inward). other than at the beginning of spring (where i saw green on both walls and floor), the green areas have just been on the sides of the pool, some days more than other depending on how long i went without FC levels (remember this whole summer i haven't been able to maintain FC until now!).
The green areas were only about 3-5 inches in diameter. for the most part, it always brushed away easily and didn't cause any change to the clarity of the water. i was told (by my pool store) it was most likely pollen but i haven't seen it return since about 3-4 days into the SLAM process. and, the pool school says that's one distinction in pollen vs algae. That even with high FC levels, pollen would still be there.
i'm sure it was algae, just not certain what type of algae.
The green areas were only about 3-5 inches in diameter. for the most part, it always brushed away easily and didn't cause any change to the clarity of the water. i was told (by my pool store) it was most likely pollen but i haven't seen it return since about 3-4 days into the SLAM process. and, the pool school says that's one distinction in pollen vs algae. That even with high FC levels, pollen would still be there.
i'm sure it was algae, just not certain what type of algae.