Chlorine question for Intex 22'x 52" pool

[Jewlz]

Hi all,

My pool is finally full now after about 28 hours of filling with the hose.

Yesterday I did follow the Super Simple Pool Chemistry Recipe by putting in 1 dose of bleach when the water level was above 6 inches, then in the evening I put in 4 doses. This morning I tested the chlorine and Ph levels. The chlorine was at a 5 (way high as I think it should be between 1-3 but please correct me if I'm wrong) but my Ph was perfect, about a 7.2.

I tested it a couple more times throughout the day as it completed filling and the chlorine is not even registering now. I did put a dose of chlorine in it today each time I checked it per the easy start up instructions (1 1/4 cup for my pool size), but it is still registering zero. The water is totally clear in the tester and not yellow at all.

I was able to start the pump about an hour ago since the water level was finally over where it needed to be.

I don't have any dichlor yet . . . I do have bleach and borax though. How much bleach should I put in it if it's not registering at all on my tester? Do I shock it? Then what is the best way to maintain that?

If I use the BBB method, do I even need dichlor at all?

Thanks for any and all help!
Jewlz :)

[Watermom]

The dosing guide, based on volume, is listed at the top of the SS Recipe.

The reason you have no chlorine showing is because you have not yet added CYA (cyanuric acid, also called stabilizer). CYA is kind of like sunscreen for your chlorine. Without it, you cannot keep a chlorine reading in your pool as you are finding out. Dichlor adds CYA as well as chlorine. As you use dichlor for the first few weeks, your CYA level climbs. When it gets to around 50ppm, then you should just switch to bleach so your CYA level does not get too high.

If you don't want to use dichlor (and it is the easiest way to start up a new pool), then you have to just add CYA separately. Let us know if you aren't going to use the SS Recipe so someone can walk you through needed steps.

In the meantime, add bleach a few times per day. A pool with no chlorine doesn't take long to give algae a chance to start! It would be a shame for a fresh pool to turn green!

(By the way, BBB doesn't mean that you use bleach, Borax and baking soda exclusively and never anything else. It really is more of a philosophy of getting to know your pool, testing accurately and only adding what you need without a lot of extra unneeded stuff.)

Hope this helps.

[Jewlz]

Thanks Watermom . . . I guess I'll be getting some dichlor ASAP :) I didn't remember reading anything about that in the SS recipe. In the mean time I've added 4 doses to bleach to the pool for the evening.

My water looks so wonderful and clear right now. I certainly don't want it to turn green.

I'll be glad when I get all this stuff figured out. :)

Thanks for the advice once again!
Jewlz :)

[Watermom]

The SS recipe page explains how to use the Dichlor and very importantly, what kind of Dichlor to buy. (At Sam's Club or Amazon).

In the meantime, keep adding bleach a couple of times per day.

And....... you are welcome! :)

[Jewlz]

Hello again,

I just got my Dichlor at Sam's today and was wondering once I put a 1lb. bag in, how soon is it until you can usually get in the pool again? And while I'm asking what is a safe chlorine level? I think it says on the bag that 3ppm or under?

Got some kids that want to possibly swim (although it looks like it could pour down rain any minute) and I don't want to throw it in there if I have to wait several hours for the chlorine level to go down or something in case they do decide to swim.

I just checked with my tester and there is NO chlorine level at all right now even though I threw in 3 cups of bleach earlier today, and we've had no sun at all.

Thanks,
Julie ;)

[Watermom]

Give it a half hour to dissolve and mix in and then let them swim. Even though the bag says 3ppm and under is safe, that is not the whole story. Needed chlorine levels are based on CYA levels. The higher your CYA is, the higher your chlorine needs to be. So, if you had a high CYA level and kept your chlorine at 3ppm, it would not be safe nor sanitized because your chlorine level would be too low.

Take a look at the Best Guess Chlorine chart in either my signature below or at this link: http://pool9.net/cl-cya/
It explains the relationship between CYA and how high you must keep your chlorine. The fact that many people do not understand this connection causes lots of green pools!

You are losing chlorine fast now because you don't have any CYA in the water. Dichlor adds CYA as well as chlorine so after you use it for awhile, your CYA level will build up and you'll be able to maintain a chlorine reading throughout the day. When your CYA gets to around 50ppm, you'll want to quit using dichlor and switch to just bleach so your CYA level doesn't get too high.

[Jewlz]

Thank you Watermom. I haven't even tested the CYA level yet since I don't have one yet lol! I guess once I get this in the pool I'll test it after about a 1/2 hour?

Then according to the Ben's Best Guess chart, say if my CYA is at 20ppm, my chlorine shoudl be no less than 2 put no more than 5? Just want to make sure I'm reading it right.

Then what does the "Shock" and +Shock+ column numbers mean?

Thanks!
Julie ;)

[Watermom]

You got it!

Shocking a pool simply means taking your chlorine up extra high. How high you need to go depends on --- you guessed it ---- your CYA level. In most cases, if you need to shock, the number in the 'shock' column is high enough. With some types of very stubborn algae, you occasionally have to go even higher to the 'shock +' column but not typically.

[Jewlz]

Ok another question . . . in reading the SS recipe it says that once the pool is full (and I have my dichlor now as stated above) I should "add one dose of dichlor each evening. Do NOT skip! And then add 1/2 dose before each group swims. Add borax in equal quantities as dichlor (ie, if you add 1 cup of diclor, then also add 1 cup of borax)"

I did put in one dose yesterday and I'm getting ready to go test the water today in a minute. I've got the HTH 6 way test kit for now and I'm not sure how to test the CYA level as I don't see any instruction on the sheet that came with the kit on how to do that. Just trying to determine how much dichlor I should put in (or if I need to) and when I can get to the once a week recommendation that is on the bag?

And is it an absolute need to get the Taylor test kit? I see it's about 3 times more expensive than the HTH kit I have and just wondering. If I really need it I will get it, but just curious as to why the HTH kit won't do for me.

Thanks!
Jewlz :)

[Watermom]

Don't bother running the CYA test until you have been using dichlor for about a week to 10 days. Before then, you won't have enough in there yet that can even register on the test so you'll just be wasting your testing reagent.

Just keep following the SS recipe. You want the daily doses of dichlor until your CYA is between 40-50. Then you'll want to stop using it and switch to just using bleach. You will never get to the "just one bag of dichlor per week." Long term use of dichlor will cause your CYA to get too high.

The Taylor kit can test chlorine levels past 5ppm, the 6-way kit can't. If you only have the 6-way, it is imperative that you do not let your CYA get too high nor get any algae. Both of those things call for high chlorine levels and you won't be able to test.

Another option you have since you have the 6-Way kit is to just buy the FAS-DPD add-on kit. That will give you the test you will be missing in your kit. Click on the test kit link in my signature and you'll find it. It is the Taylor K1515.

[Jewlz]

Hello, after putting in my 2nd dose of dichlor yesterday evening, I checked my water this morning and the chlorine is all the way up to 5 on the HTH tester. The Ph is at 7.6 or 7.8.

We have been getting rain for the last couple of days and no sun. Since my chlorine is so high, should I still but the dose of dichlor in tonight and then keep doing it for the 7-10 days?

My concern is you said that I have to keep an eye on my CYA levels and not let it get to high but I may not have a CYA level yet since I just started putting in the dichlor a couple days ago, then I don't even know HOW to test for the CYA level with my HTH 6 way kit. I see the vial in my kit but unsure how many of those drops I put in there??

I guess the pool is still safe to swim in currently once the weather allows seeing as the chlorine is high right now?

Thanks,
Julie :)

[Watermom]

This chart can help you decipher colors higher than what your chlorine test (OTO) can show: http://pool9.net/oto-chart/ After you look at the chart, let us know what you think your chlorine level is.

The directions for your 6-Way kit: http://www.archchemicals.com/Fed/HTH/Docs/HTH_6WayTest_Instructions.pdf Let me know if you have more questions about the CYA test after you look at that link.

You don't have a high enough CYA level to bother with testing it yet.

[Jewlz]

I believe it matches the 5 ppm on the tester, and not higher than that as of this morning. It's definitely not the color of anything on the chart you sent me the link to :)

Should I put more dichlor in tonight??

Thanks again,
Jewlz ;)

[Watermom]

Maybe put in a half a dose and then try and run the chlorine test within an hour of sunrise tomorrow before any of it is lost to the sun. That way, it will help you figure out how much chlorine was added and you can use that info to adjust future dichlor doses if needed.

[Jewlz]

Ok thanks, I put in 1/2 dose of the dichlor and borax as well. We will be having rain AGAIN tomorrow as we have had for the last several days. I'm sure since the sun hasn't been out, the chlorine isn't burning off as fast. I'll see what it's like tomorrow morning.

How soon until I can get a CYA reading? And in the meantime is the pool safe to swim in if the chlorine level reads over 3 ppm? At least until I can get a good CYA reading?

Thanks,
Julie;)

[Watermom]

Even if it rains, be sure you get out there and check your pool! Many people think that rains brings algae issues. In actuality, it is not the fault of the rain but due to nobody wanting to get wet and go out and check chemistry!

I'd wait until you have been using dichlor for a week to ten days before testing. You can kinda judge how much CYA is being added; for every 10ppm of chlorine that dichlor adds, it also adds 9ppm of CYA.

It is still safe to swim if the chlorine is a little high. Skin is pretty resilient, swim wear not so much. So, have the kids wear old swimsuits.

Report your chlorine level in the morning.

[Jewlz]

Thanks. I have checked my pool water every single day since it was full, even in the rain. :) I just want to make sure I don't have any issues at all with the water. It is still clear and I can kind of smell the chlorine smell now since I"ve been using the dichlor.

It's supposed to rain again today I think. The sun was out a minute ago but it hiding once again behind the clouds.

Thanks for all your help once again!
Julie ;)

[PoolDoc]

Just upgraded your account.

FYI, once your pool is in good shape, you really shouldn't smell chlorine at all.

[Jewlz]

Thanks for the reply PoolDoc and to Watermom for all your help!

Today I finally tested my CYA for the first time as I've been putting it in for about 10 days now. I just have the HTH 6 way test kit right now and 30 is the lowest number on the tester. I can barely see the black dot at the bottom of the tester so I'm guessing my CYA is probably about 20 or 25. It is pretty blurry but it's still visible slightly.

My chlorine has been registering at 5ppm everyday and my Ph is at 7.8 as well. I guess I'll still add the dichlor doses until my CYA gets up to 40 or 50ppm correct?

My water is still and has always been nice and sparkling clean since I filled it up 2 weeks ago and I check the chlorine and Ph every morning. The chlorine definitely stays in the pool now since i have some CYA.

We had rain for almost a week straight last week so the pool never got any sun during that time. We had a full HOT day of sun yesterday and the chlorine is still holding it's reading well. We should have sunny days at least until Thursday this week.

I forgot to put my dichlor dose in on 2 different evenings over the past 10 days so that may be why my CYA isn't up more yet.

Thanks!
Jewlz :)

[Watermom]

Yes, keep using dichlor until your CYA is around 50ppm.

Also, remember that since your OTO tester can only read chlorine readings to 5ppm, a reading of 5 means 5 or higher. I linked this above but will do so again -- the chart that helps you interpret higher than 5ppm on an OTO. http://pool9.net/oto-chart/

[Jewlz]

Thanks Watermom. I did look at this chart before and honestly it doesn't appear to be over 5ppm according to the yellow color in my tester. If anything, it definitely hasn't gone above 6ppm :)

Jewlz

[Watermom]

Ok. Cool.

[Jewlz]

Ok another question . . . is it normal to have to add bleach everyday even though my CYA is 50-55?? I'm mean I'm sure the chlorine goes down eventually with the swimming, weather, ect. but it seems the chlorine reading was good at first after my CYA was where it shoudl be, but everyday now that I check it, it just seems to be getting lower. This morning it looked like it was just 1ppm. I have added a dose of bleach everyday (for my pool that is 1 3/4 cup), and I added about 2 cups this morning because that is the lowest reading I've had to far after getting the CYA up.

We have had a couple of major downpours this week so maybe that affects the chlorine but I'm not sure. My Ph actually has gone up to about 8.2 and I haven't been putting any borax in it at all.

Just wondering what a 'normal' kind of procedure is with adding bleach so. Looks like I should have a min of 3ppm and a max of 5ppm for my CYA level.

Thanks,
Jewlz :)

[Watermom]

When was the last time you checked your CYA level?

If your chlorine level has been dropping below the minimum needed, it could be that you actually have an impending algae bloom that is trying to get started. Why don't you go ahead and shock the pool this evening. Then, a couple hours later, test the FC and CC and then repeat those tests in the morning within an hour or sunrise. If you have lost more than 1ppm of FC overnight and have a CC reading greater than 0.5ppm, you'll know that you are losing chlorine due to fighting something in the water.

If you don't and you verify that your CYA actually is 50-55, then it may be that you might want to consider raising it a little higher. Where do you live? Some people who live in some really hot parts of the country find that running a higher CYA pool allows them to test and add bleach less frequently. If you have a lot of rain, it can lower chlorine some but not tremendously. In my pool, a lot of rain affects my pH more than my chlorine --- lowers my pH.

After writing my reply, I scrolled back through your thread. Did you ever order a K2006? If not, you won't be able to measure CC.

Are you aerating the pool? Is your return jet eyeball aimed upward to create splashing on the surface? That can cause pH to rise. How high was the chlorine when you tested pH. With kits other than Taylor, the pH test will be inaccurate if the chlorine is higher than 5ppm. (With the Taylor kits, it is ok to test pH with chlorine levels up to 10ppm.) Anytime your chlorine is higher than 5 or 10, depending on the kit you are using, you can dilute your sample before testing pH. Take 1/4 cup of pool water and mix it with 1/4 cup of distilled water. Then, run the pH test as normal.

[Watermom]

I think I figured out your problem. I just ran some numbers and I don't think you are adding enough bleach. I'm estimating your volume to be around 11,400 gallons. In that sized pool, each cup of bleach would only add about 0.5ppm of chlorine so that means that when you add 1-3/4 cup, you are adding less than 1ppm of chlorine.

A quart of 8.25% bleach will add about 1.8ppm of chlorine and one of the 121-oz jugs will add about 7ppm. Use those as references to help you figure out doses. If you really do have a CYA of 50-55, each evening when you test your water, add enough bleach to take your chlorine level back up to 6ppm.

[Jewlz]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I guess that makes sense about the bleach . . . I was using the dosage recommendation on the BBB instructions. My pool (according to the Intex guide) is like 10,4xxx and some odd gallons.

I actually checked my CYA level this past Monday for the 2nd time and that was when it was finally over 50 just a bit so I stopped adding the dichlor since then, and have been just adding the bleach everyday.

I'm still using the HTH 6-way kit but I am going to bite the bullet and get the Taylor kit you recommend through Amazon. My chlorine was originally 5-6ppm on Monday when I checked the CYA and it's steadily been going down everyday even though I was adding 1 3/4 cup of bleach. BUT if I haven't been putting enough in for my pool size, then that makes total sense. I actually threw in 2 cups this morning so I may need even more.

We live right outside Springfield MO so it does get quite hot here, although we haven't had too many bad days yet, but they are coming. We've just had a lot of rain.

I've been testing my pool water every morning (like around 9am). I work from home and that is the first time I can usually get out there unless I start getting up earlier. Is that the best time to test your water, or should I be doing it in the evenings for the best results?

Also, I have been pointing my return jet up so it ripples the water. Is that not good? I figured for some reason it would be better than way so the water on the surface wasn't stagnant. Not to mention I love the soothing sound of it lol!

Thanks!
Jewlz ;)

[Watermom]

I like the sound of the rippling water, too, but that may be what it making your pH rise. Get the pH down to mid 7s range. Then, keep the jet aimed downward most of the time unless there is a lot of floating debris that you are trying to direct into the skimmer.

To lower your pH, you can use a little muriatic acid but please read the info at this link first:> http://pool9.net/muriatic/
What is your TA, by the way?

Before deciding to raise your CYA up any higher, try using larger doses of bleach as I mentioned previously. The best time to test and add bleach is in the evening after the strong sunlight is off of the pool. Each evening when you test, add enough bleach to take the chlorine back up to 6ppm.

[Jewlz]

Hi Watermom,

I just tested my TA and it is coming to 250ppm. Took 25 drops. I've never done that test before and I was wondering if it was working because it took a while for the green to go away, then it finally went to a pale yellow, then the pink/red color. It finally turned a really dark pink color, almost red. I tried putting in a few more drops just to see if it would change color further but it didn't. Is that a good TA reading or????

I also pointed my return jet down now. I don't have a skimmer yet but want to get one if you have any recommendations. I see Intex has one you can attach to the side of the pool and isn't too expensive. I just do manually skimming in the morning and during the day as needed. We just get like tree pollen and a few gnats in the pool mostly not a whole lot thankfully. Then in the afternoon we've been seeing apparent suicide attempts by our Japanese Beetle population lol. Thankfully that seems to be going away now. I was taking out at least 50 a day during the early afternoon.

Thanks again,
Jewlz :)

[PoolDoc]

Sounds like a generally valid TA result.

If your TA is high, and you aerate even a little, you'll see a pH jump. Read http://pool9.net/alk-step/