Water chemistry questions

[Adonisinpool]

Hello again,

It's me with the fantastic Xtremepower VSP

I didn't want to hijack my own thread so here it is.

I've been reading and reading this website about water chemistry. Now I'm curious.

I'm seeing that using Xtrablue tablets is being scorned upon by the experts here. Shame on me, right?
I have the tablets in my automatic chlorinator trickling at #4.
I've been using these for 30 years in this same pool and never had any problems, stains or green hair.
I've had algae before, usually after heavy Florida rain, and I just add a half a gallon of liquid chlorine when needed to kill them successfully.
Your thoughts or advice?

According to TFP school, it's advised to test the water and put a little chlorine in just about everyday. Is that really necessary?
I find that a little obsessive.

Also, do I need to test for FAS/DPD and/or CC?

My water is after rain yesterday. I did the PoolMath and says just add 7.5 oz. of acid.
FC 4.0
Ph 7.8
TA 80
CH 180
CYA 60

 

[mknauss]

With sufficient water replacement you can do what you are doing. Most areas of the country do not have that much free water.

 

[Adonisinpool]

With sufficient water replacement you can do what you are doing. Most areas of the country do not have that much free water.

So in my case, it's ok to continue to use the Xtrablue tablets?

And I don't need to do extra testing or adding chlorine often?

 

[mknauss]

If they work for you, fine.
Normally it is difficult to maintain proper FC/CYA ratio using only trichlor. Likely why you get algae after rain. Rain should have minimal effect on pool water chemistry

 

[Newdude]

it's ok to continue to use the Xtrablue tablets?

It is until it isn't.

 

[Adonisinpool]

If they work for you, fine.
Normally it is difficult to maintain proper FC/CYA ratio using only trichlor. Likely why you get algae after rain. Rain should have minimal effect on pool water chemistry

I use both.... liquid chlorine, 1 1/4 gallon a week, and the tablets in the auto chlorinator. I only get algae after days of heavy rains. Even after Tropical Storm Debby recently passed by, no algae yet.

 

[Adonisinpool]

It is until it isn't.

After using them for 30 years, when is it going to be it isn't?

 

[Donldson]

Xtra Blue tablets have only existed for 9 years...

 

[Adonisinpool]

Xtra Blue tablets have only existed for 9 years...

I've been getting them from Costco for many years. They had it under 6 in 1 brand name before changing it to Xtrablue for marketing purposes. Same stuff.

 

[Eauclaire]

Try this question in ChatGPT: When do copper minerals precipitate in swimming pools?

 

[Adonisinpool]

Try this question in ChatGPT: When do copper minerals precipitate in swimming pools?

I won't use ChatGPT or any of the AI platforms. They tell you what they want you to believe.

Regardless, according to the pool expert mknauss, I'm fine and can keep doing what I'm doing.

 

[Newdude]

Regardless, according to the pool expert @mknauss, I'm fine and can keep doing what I'm doing.

We highly suggest using reliable data to confirm the clear water is sanitary and balanced. Many think clear water is all they need and their eyes are opened when they finally 'see' what's been going on.

Failing an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test, for example. It means there's alage in the water which hasn't grown (exponentially) to the point of being visible yet because it's microscopic. But if alage can survive, then bacteria, viruses, pathogens and such can too.

Maintaining the proper FC/CYA ratio and passing an OCLT whenever any slight thought of the chemistry being out of whack, confirms that you are/aren't sanitary.

 

[mknauss]

If your only fill water is rain and you use trichlor, you must be adding alkalinity somehow with a TA of 80.

 

[Donldson]

Regardless, according to the pool expert @mknauss, I'm fine and can keep doing what I'm doing.

Pretty sure the intent was "only you can decide how to manage your pool".

Nobody is endorsing not testing water or blindly adding chemicals. If you're happy that's all that matters, but it's doubtful someone who follows TFPC would find the water to be pleasant to swim in or accept getting algae after rain as normal.

 

[Adonisinpool]

We highly suggest using reliable data to confirm the clear water is sanitary and balanced. Many think clear water is all they need and their eyes are opened when they finally 'see' what's been going on.

Failing an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test, for example. It means there's alage in the water which hasn't grown (exponentially) to the point of being visible yet because it's microscopic. But if alage can survive, then bacteria, viruses, pathogens and such can too.

Maintaining the proper FC/CYA ratio and passing an OCLT whenever any slight thought of the chemistry being out of whack, confirms that you are/aren't sanitary.

I never said I had algae problems. I can't remember the last time I had black or mustard algae.
When I test my FC, it's usually stays around 3.0-4.0 all week and I'd put 1.25 gallon every week.
Thus it would be moot for me to do the OCLT as I don't have 1.0 chlorine loss.
People have problems with their chemical levels because they think more is better and constantly throwing them off balance. I put exactly what I need.

 

[Adonisinpool]

If your only fill water is rain and you use trichlor, you must be adding alkalinity somehow with a TA of 80.

Of course I'm adding alkaline. I put about 4-5 lbs. every 3-4 months. It makes my water super clear.

 

[Adonisinpool]

Pretty sure the intent was "only you can decide how to manage your pool".

Nobody is endorsing not testing water or blindly adding chemicals. If you're happy that's all that matters, but it's doubtful someone who follows TFPC would find the water to be pleasant to swim in or accept getting algae after rain as normal.

Who said I'm getting algae? I only get some algae after 3,4 or 5 days of Florida rain. That's a given. Can't stop that. Putting chlorine in clears them right up.

 

[Newdude]

Who said I'm getting algae?

You did.

I only get some algae after 3,4 or 5 days of Florida rain.

Algae means your FC was too low. No matter how it happened. A 6 inch whopper of a storm will only dilute a 5 ft average depth pool by 10% when well mixed. The rain isn't the problem.

 

[Adonisinpool]

You did.




Algae means your FC was too low. No matter how it happened. A 6 inch whopper of a storm will only dilute a 5 ft average depth pool by 10% when well mixed. The rain isn't the problem.

Yup. We can get so much rain that my pool will overflow...diluting my water chemistry. Then a few days later, I can see it'll start to turn a little bit. A gallon of chlorine makes the world happy again.

Maybe I'm using the wrong terminology. I guess when it starts to turn a little greenish, I'd call it (green) algae.

 

[Donldson]

That's a given. Can't stop that.

Seems a lot of people outside TFP have been convinced of that. "Algae is inevitable".

I guess if that's all you've ever known...