Another Newbie to Pool Chemical Maintenace

First off, I would like to thank everyone for all their insight. My pool would not look as good as it does if it weren't for you. I am new to pool maintenance this year, so everything is a first for me and I am learning more every day. I am sure this is a question that has already been asked and I just haven't run acrossed it...so I apologize if it is.

My water is crystal clear, I see no algea growing, chemical balance seems to be in order, but I get no reading of chlorine except for when I put it in. Especially after the water has been exposed to it all day. The stablizer is at the ideal level. I did however have a crack in the lid to the housing that holds the second strainer basket, so I was sucking in a lot of air through the pump. Would that effect the Chlorine level? Should I add more Shock? Will that make a difference in maintaining the correct level? I saw a post ealier that said the chloring may still be killing things, so that's why their level may not have come up, could I be having that problem even though the water looks good?

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Originally Posted by dkdog68

My water is crystal clear, I see no algea growing, chemical balance seems to be in order, but I get no reading of chlorine except for when I put it in. Especially after the water has been exposed to it all day. The stablizer is at the ideal level.

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What time of day are you adding the bleach, and what is your CYA ppm? I add my bleach after dusk when it's dark.

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I did however have a crack in the lid to the housing that holds the second strainer basket, so I was sucking in a lot of air through the pump. Would that effect the Chlorine level?

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I wouldn't think so, as long as the bleach is being evenly dispersed and mixed in the water.

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Should I add more Shock? Will that make a difference in maintaining the correct level? I saw a post ealier that said the chloring may still be killing things, so that's why their level may not have come up, could I be having that problem even though the water looks good?

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Are you getting a CC reading? If yes, shock up the level prescribed for your CYA and hold it there a few days. In my experience, water can look crystal clear right up to the point it goes bad.

I usually don't add the chlorine until the pool is at least all in the shade...but ususally early evening, Sun isn't down yet, but again it's in the shade. I do think I need to bring my CYA up a little, but it appears to be between 30 and 50 closer to the 30 range. As far as CC I have no idea. I use the test strips but did read that maybe the liquid tests are better? Should I go that route?

DK,

Post your test results for FC, CC, pH, Alk, and CYA. That'll get you more help, quicker, than anything else you can do.:)

Okay, Thanks Dave.

I will post my results tomorrow.

DK,

Just saw your second post about test strips. Yeah, they're really not good for doing what you want to do.

Wal-Mart frequently has available an HTH 5-way kit that'll do in a pinch (only $15) but Ben's kit is THE SINGLE BEST INVESTMENT you will make in your pool.

In fact, since your water looks so good, you probably are in good shape and just need some accurate testing to confirm it.:)