First Time using Taylor HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mroll]

If your CYA is 65, then it's time to stop using the dichlor and switch to bleach. It's also time for you to keep a minimum of 5 ppm of chlorine in the pool at all times. Sometimes it just takes a few days for it to register. You've been using a lot of dichlor, so I'm not surprised it's risen a bit. If your pH is below 7.0, dose it with Borax to bring it back up to the 7.2-7.6 range.

Relax--it's just a pool!! :)

Janet
Silly getting stressed over a pool, right???
BUT I rather have a CYA of 30-40 and only need FC of 3-4....
How much bleach?

[aylad]

"In your pool, a quart of 6% bleach will add around 2.5ppm of chlorine.". Test your chlorine with your kit, and add whatever amount is needed to get back over 5 ppm, using that statement as a guide.

Janet

[mroll]

Unfortunately my DPD powder is almost all gone..did not last long,,Leaving on vacation in a week and son will be testing, hopefully with regular kit. According to Dave, he should put in about 4 cups bleach to keep it over 3. Is all this still right with CYA so high??? I think I will test that again Wednesday night. Could CYA go down by itself???
Oh gee this is getting too complicated.............waaaa

[aylad]

I think you're making this harder than it really is...all your son should do is test the water, see what the result is, and then add bleach to get it back over 5 ppm. If he needs to add 1 ppm, he should add 2 cups. If he needs to add 2 ppm, he should add about 4 cups. If he needs to add 3 ppm, he needs to add about 6 cups. These are estimates, but they will work to make it as simple as possible.

If you stop using dichlor, your CYA will eventually decrease via splashout or water lost during filter cleanings--but it's going to be slow. Plan on keeping 5 ppm of chlorine in the pool for awhile...

Janet

Janet

[mroll]

Redid CYA with same water and solution..looks like 50 now which would make more sense. Again, will only be able to test with DPD powder for another 2 or 3 days..Will order more..BUT With regular test , ONLY REGISTERS UP TO 3 ppm. So what do we do???

[aylad]

Here's how to force it to read higher...

http://www.poolsolutions.com/gd/how-to-test-your-pool-without-a-good-testkit.html

Janet

[mroll]

My DPD test will arrive Thursday but my son will only be using the OTO if he remembers. I am retesting everything tomorrow night and will repost the numbers so I can finalize my plans.. Tonight put in 3 cups bleach only

[BigDave]

What were your FC, CC, and last night? What day are you leaving?

[mroll]

What were your FC, CC, and last night? What day are you leaving?
Only did OTO test last night. (3+) Will do it all tonight around 5:30 -6 and post. Leaving Thursday. Thanks for getting back to me Dave.
M

[BigDave]

Please also do pH. 3+ OTO is what I'd like to see. We can run the recipie for your son for a couple days and see how it goes. Thanks.

[mroll]

Please also do pH. 3+ OTO is what I'd like to see. We can run the recipie for your son for a couple days and see how it goes. Thanks.
OK Tested. FC 4, CC .5, PH 7.2 BUT when I look down into it, its more reddish. Anyway added 2 cups bleach and 2 cups borax. OH redid CYA and it read 30.. Dont know what happened the other day. 30 makes more sense at this time, right?
(BTW how come on the OTO test they say 3 is too high and 1.5 2 is ideal???)

[BigDave]

Sounds like you're in good shape. Follow the recipie for your son while you're home to prove to youself it'll work. Test chlorine and pH daily (FC and CC as long as you can). The bleach program should be pH neutral so get it near 7.5 before you leave and your son won't have to worry about it.

Please dose 3 cups bleach not 2, I think 2 will let your FC get too low and you don't want trouble now.

Keep us posted.


(BTW how come on the OTO test they say 3 is too high and 1.5 2 is ideal???)These dosing recommendations are based on old beliefs that don't account for the presence and the effect of stabilizer (CYA) in pool water.

[mroll]

OK so you dont think I should add any more dichlor if CYA only 30???...so hard for me to read that..I see dot..I dont see dot..I see dot!! geez
Also..there are some little pieces of black on bottom of pool..some about 1/4 inch,,some look like strips..not a lot but annoying since I see them again the day after I vacuum. I am going to try to remove it with hand skimmer today. Dirt? dead Algae?
I dont know if its blowing in..very windy here ..The pool is used just by my husband and me..
(should this be posted somewhere else??)
Thanks..

[BigDave]

I think for your goal of turning the pool over to your son with a simplified recipie for your vacation, you're fine. This is based on the fact that you can hold chlorine above minimum with daily dosing.
We'll be glad to help you bring your CYA up a little more and figure out what the black stuff is after you return. The CYA test is the most difficult to read and subjective, I always have a hard time trying to figure out if I see the black dot or the shadow of my head.

Will your son brush the pool for you as well or is that out of the question?

[Watermom]

Will your son brush the pool for you as well or is that out of the question?
I think for most sons, asking them to brush too is pushing it! I should know. I have 3 of them! If he'll just add some chlorine, I'd say you're doing well!

[mroll]

Still FC 4 CC 0 PH still low..we dont have a brush...lol..should I get one? You are right Watermom.. Have 3 'adult' sons..Brush pool?????
OH BTW the 'black' spots were leaves from bushes..Put 3 cups bleach in tonight..going to add more borax..Whats with that???

[aylad]

The dichlor is acidic and pushes pH down...just keep it in the 7.2-7.8 range and you'll be fine.

[BigDave]

Mroll; I'm really glad to see your FC is still 4ppm and your CC is back to 0ppm - good news.
I'm also really glad to hear you've identified the black spots - I was a little worried it might be something growing and that's why I asked about brushing. Yep, a pool brush is a good tool to have and use, it physically breaks up colonies / biofilms so the chlorine can get to 'em. I think it was Waterbear who compared brushing your pool to brushing your teeth - has to be done to stay clean.

aylad; while I usually wouldn't advise messing with pH that's between 7.0 and 8.0, I've asked mroll to move the pH to near 7.5 to provide a cushion for the upcoming vacation with minimal poolcare provided by sons.

[mroll]

Tonight FC is 3.5 and CC still 0.. PH up to 7.5. Bought a brush. will use tomorrow..Put 3 cups bleach in tonight. I think I may have used 2 cups last night. my error...
I think I'm OK....

[BigDave]

I think you're OK too! :)

[mroll]

I think you're OK too! :)
Good so to reiterate..Will stick with 3 cups of bleach as long as FC is above 3 with OTO test while I'm gone?
However if it falls below, double the dosage?
I will test with Taylor tomorrow night again, though supposed to be storms here tomorrow evening. Hopefully dont fall again.
THANKS for all your help..........

[BigDave]

Sounds good to me.

[mroll]

OK so done for now.. FC holding at 3.5...
Will post if any problems or concerns when I return.
Thanks all so much for your help........
M

[BigDave]

Have a great trip!