Salt Water Pool Water Smells Like Must

[desherer]

I have been a long supporter of Pool Solutions and Salt Water Generators. However over the past 3 years I have noticed that when you get out - your skin smells like must / bad odor. My wife wants to take a shower when she gets out. I have increased my chlorine and have even replaced all of the water three years ago with a new liner. This year I dumped 5,000 gallons and replaced with new water. Still have the smell. I was wondering if anyone else is having this problem or if they know of a fix. Following please find my measurements that I took tonight with the PS232 Kit. 6/20/11

15,000 gallon Vinyl Pool Zodiac Salt Water Generator Located in Indianapolis IN

FC 14
CC .5
PH 7.7
ALK 170
CYA 110
Calcium 180
Water Temp 78
Salt 4,000 PPM
Water is Clear

Appreciate any input!!

Thanks,

Devon

[Poolsean]

A "smell or odor" is pretty subjective.
However, why are you keeping your chlorine level so high? Your water chems seem to out of balance too. TA is high (should be down between 80 - 120 ppm, with my preference at 80 - 100 ppm). Cya is much higher than even allowable by commercial pool standards. This should be down around 60 - 80 ppm. Calcium Hardness may not factor too much into this as you have a vinyl liner pool, but you should still maintain balanced water conditions (according to the saturation index).

The smell may be resulting from the FC at 14 ppm having some bleaching effects on clothing or your liner...just a guess.

Dilution is the solution to getting the cya, ta, and FC levels down quickly...and would be my first step.

FWIW, I have a Pool Pilot on my pool, without any of the smells you're describing. I do maintain about 75 ppm cya, at 2 ppm. TA is frequently below 100 ppm, and Calcium hardness is around 350 ppm. pH kept at 7.4

[desherer]

Sean,

Thanks for your input. I will dilute and see what happens. I have always had problems getting my TA down. Do you know of any tricks.

Thanks,

Devon

[Watermom]

Info about lowering alk:

http://www.poolsolutions.com/gd/lowering-swimming-pool-alkalinity-step-by-step.html

[CarlD]

Almost sounds like you are smelling brine, like at the ocean. I find brine kind of musty smelling, but at the ocean you don't think about it...It's the BEACH!!!!
Is the salt level at the high end for your SWCG?

Carl

[AnnaK]

Well yah, especially in NJ where the "beach" can smell like just about anything :)

[Watermom]

Well yah, especially in NJ where the "beach" can smell like just about anything :)

WOW! That sure sounds appealing! Anna, I'm guessing you don't work at the department of tourism for NJ! :p:D

[AnnaK]

No ma'm, I don't, but I have written them a letter or two about the interesting variety of items and their associated aromas found on NJ beaches. Because this is a polite and civilized family-oriented forum I won't enumerate. A musty smell is the very least of it.

[waterbear]

am I the only one that noticed a FC of 14 ppm and a CC of .5 ppm? I question the 110 CYA reading. How was this obtained? The CYA test only goes oup to 100 ppm and above that it's not very precise. There is a good possibility that the CYA is actually MUCH higher than this and the smell is because of something growing in the water.

[Poolsean]

Evan, you've been retired TOOO Long. Post #2...I noticed it. = )

[waterbear]

Sean,
I saw your post. My point is that the CYA is most likely higher than 110 ppm and that, even with the FC at 14 ppm there is still CC. Therefore, the CC could very well be happening because the pool is overstabiliized for the FC level. The other possibility, as you mentioned, is that the high FC level is forming disinfection byproducts by reacting with proteins in the skin and that is what is being smelled. Showering will not remove them. You can recreate this effect by dipping your hand in bleach for a few seconds and then trying to wash off the chloramine smell. (although if the FC is at the proper lever for the CYA then most of the chlorine would be in the form of chlorinated cyanurates and would not be available to form disinfection byproducts).
And the plus side to being retired from the industry is that I finally have the time to care for my own pool! ;) Although, if there was an opening with Team Horner I might consider going back into the industry ;) I DO love my AquaCal!

[CarlD]

Well yah, especially in NJ where the "beach" can smell like just about anything :)

All those comedians out of work and you're cracking wise? No wonder the state troopers WATCH for PA plates!

Actually, from TV you'd think our beaches were infested with Snooki, whatever that is, and the rest of the state with The Sopranos.

The South shore beaches, near Delaware are much nicer than the Northern ones. However, I haven't been the JERSEY shore in years. In fact, I haven't been on an Atlantic beach north of Florida in years--and the beaches down there smell of brine, too.

Carl

[waterbear]

Actually, from TV you'd think our beaches were infested with Snooki, whatever that is, and the rest of the state with The Sopranos.


Carl

Nah, the Sopranos are just in Short Hills! (Glad that is no longer part of my hometown Millburn!)

[CarlD]

Nah, the Sopranos are just in Short Hills! (Glad that is no longer part of my hometown Millburn!)

Actually the Sopranos are supposedly based on the family of Richie "The Boot" Boiardo, here in Livingston. The Boiardo "Stone Lions Gate" is right around the corner from me. His grandchildren went "legit" many years ago and one is a respected orthopedic surgeon. Short Hills and Millburn are not far from here.

[desherer]

Well it looks like this post has created some input - some on the subject some not. I have been deluting my water and I currently have my chlorine down to 5. My ph is 7.2 as I am in the process of trying to get the alk down below 100. My method of measuring the cya is Ben's old kit of which you look down at the dot and wait for it to disappear. I have found that this method usually reads high (wrong or right) compared to the pool store measurements. I just got out of the water (cold 78) and the smell I have tried to explain is not the water - it is the musty smell of our skin when we get out. It's hard to explain but everyones skin smells like sweat/must. The water itself smells great and is severe clear. I will continue to get my numbers correct and will keep you posted of the results. I am surprised that more people have not had this problem.

Thanks for all your input!

Devon

[Watermom]

Well it looks like this post has created some input - some on the subject some not.

That's kind of the way our forum works sometimes. Some silliness and playing mixed in with lots of help and sound advice. Sorry if it bothered you, but it doesn't mean we aren't trying to help. Just having a little fun along the way!


My method of measuring the cya is Ben's old kit of which you look down at the dot and wait for it to disappear. I have found that this method usually reads high (wrong or right) compared to the pool store measurements.

The disappearing dot test is the only CYA test that we trust. So, your reading is more accurate than a pool store's reading if they aren't using this method.


Hope somebody can help you figure out your issue with this musty smell.

[desherer]

No Problems Watermom. I enjoy the fun. Guess I need to get my CYA down too.

Thanks for your input!

Devon

[Poolsean]

Carl, an Orthopedic Surgon? Must be from all the practice from "Louie says you owe him money. Pay up or I'll break your thumbs".

[CarlD]

Carl, an Orthopedic Surgon? Must be from all the practice from "Louie says you owe him money. Pay up or I'll break your thumbs".

Makes a better story but, no, Dr. Boiardo is a legitimate orthopedic and sports surgeon. For a while he was the surgeon to the Newark Bears minor league baseball team--pretty popular around here. (Minor league games are a blast--far more fun than pro games.)

Carl