Chlorine Lock ?

[mjsboone]

Good morning! I am remaining diligent in getting my pool balanced! I have entered additional pool history logs and am hopeful that I am almost there. Have not noticed algae in the past few days so have not addressed that possibility of mustard algae. The pool was used last night and stirred up really well-very clear this morning. Finally got the FC up over 25 ppm (actually 27.5) this morning. I have not been able to hold or not go down by 1ppm overnight so far. CC is where it should and has held at 0.5 for the past 5 testings. Pool is clear. I have not met the 3 criteria that Watermom advised I should meet before I start letting the FC slowly go down and hold between 8-15ppm. Looking forward to rain all weekend-ugh. Pool water temp. is 88°.

[FormerBromineUser]

How's it going?

[mjsboone]

I have not been able to hold the water at FC 25ppm for overnight. That's where I'm at. I have met 2 of the 3 criteria that Watermom told me to achieve. Hold FC at shock level of 25ppm, CC less than 1 (which I have achieved!) and the water is clear (which is beautifully clear). The FC seems to go down over night by 1-2 ppm. I add more bleach to bring it up and I think I'm ok, then test again in the morning and down it goes. It has been a little frustrating. We have been vacuuming to waste and adding water when needed. Not sure what else to do...

[CarlD]

It's only dropping from FC=25 to FC=23 or 24 overnight? Then you are good as gold! If it dropped to FC=10 then you'd still be fighting. But down 1-2ppm from 25? Not to worry!

[mjsboone]

After I test at dusk, generally I am at about 21. I add enough bleach to bring it up to 25 and then overnight I go down again when I test in the morning before sun up. I add mor bleach to bring it up again trying to hold that 25ppm as I was advised. It just evades me! PH is 7.4 but I understand that may not be correct because of high FC that I am trying to hold on to.

[CarlD]

If it's only dropping to 21 or higher, you are FINE! If everything else is now good, you can let the chlorine gradually come down to the maintenance level and go swimming!

[FormerBromineUser]

Thanks, Carl! I had a feeling mjsboone might be struggling out there waiting for input.

[mjsboone]

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

[FormerBromineUser]

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Carl: You are my absolute favorite storyteller on the Pool Forum (!!!) and have been SO much help to me with my pool!

I just had time to reread this whole thread and I noticed these responses (posts 96-100) from PoolDoc and wondered if you caught them.


Ok, you're reporting what sounds like mustard algae -- so you'll need even higher levels of chlorine.

... ~35 ppm or HIGHER!

Mjsboone has been aiming for a shock level of 25ppm. Do you think he's still good to go to maintenance?

[mjsboone]

That is correct. PoolDoc wrote that what I was describing sounded like mustard algae. We have vacced to waste 2 times and have not tried to get the FC 35ppm as we were afraid we could not use the pool and here in SC, we use our pool! My husband said tonight he noticed that he thought there was a slight powdery substance on bottom-not over entire bottom, but enough that if he swiped his foot, he saw greenish stuff that just disappeared. The pool remains very clear. If I could get a few days that I knew we would not be using the pool, should I bump it up to 35ppm? For how long?

[Watermom]

Yes. Take it on up. Mustard algae is tough to eradicate.

[mjsboone]

Gosh! Hopefully got one problem under control and now mustard algae! How long does it take to get rid of it? Days? Weeks? Do we continue to brush or just vac to waste? This pool is making me crazy. I love it but, it has been a real pain in the rear this summer.

[FormerBromineUser]

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Please don't be discouraged!

Look at all you have learned:
-How to ignore pool store advice!
-How to use a K2006! (Consider getting larger replacement bottles, btw)
-Not to use your chlorinator and tabs (except for vacation if you choose)
-The importance of maintaining good CYA/FC ratios
-That CC is not a good thing...!!!
-Patience ;)
-etc.

I try not to give much advice here as there are some really, really knowledgeable people on this forum who can answer MUCH better than me. But I have noticed that you received some conflicting advice over the last month. That's only because people really want to help you that they have chimed in but I think it has contributed to your confusion. My advice? Learn to recognize the experts and go with their recommendations.

[FormerBromineUser]

...you received some conflicting advice over the last month.
Whoops! I meant confusing!