Printable View
I have added 5 entries on the pool history form and submitted. For those that can access those history forms that I have submitted, are there any thoughts on my progress getting past this "chlorine lock". Pool is clear, but I don't think I'm there yet. Not adding nearly the amount of bleach everyday, but still adding. I hope I can get to the maintenance mode soon.
Thanks to all.
I don't have access to the data, but I would say you likely can consider yourself in maintenance mode. You'll need to keep the FC between 10% to 20% of the 130 CYA you tested going forward (if you don't drain). I'd shoot for keeping it at about 19FC for the rest of the season and see how that goes. Remember to keep testing the FC every 1-2 days to be sure. Consider this the key and the chlorine unlocked :)
Good luck.
The FC has been at 19.5 the last three testings but I think somewhere back in this thread, watermom advised to get it to 25ppm and hold and make sure CC less than .5 (the CC was 1.5 this morning), then back off until 10-15ppm and maintain. Ive been adding bleach to get up to the 25ppm but if I am understanding correctly, I can hold it at 19ppm, test every couple of days, and add bleach if necessary. PH 7.6 this am. It is to be sunny, hot and humid here for the week-normal summer. Will that full blown sun on the pool all day make my numbers go haywire again? Hang in there with me! I think I'm starting to "get it". My neighbor told me yesterday my pool was sparkling! :)
Take a look back on the thread. The 25ppm recommendation was for a shock level when you posted a CYA reading of 80. At 130 CYA, you're target numbers become respectfully higher.
Your numbers are not "haywire" as long you know what they mean and what to do (or not to do). That's when you know you've got it :)
Appreciated. Thanks!
Sorry to disagree Big Splash, but with a reported CC of 1.5, mjsboone is not in maintenance mode just yet.
Continue to keep the chlorine at 25ppm and test daily. Keep it at that level until you pass the 3 criteria:
1) Don't lose more than 1ppm from sundown one evening until within an hour of sunrise the next morning
2) CC of no higher than 0.5ppm
3) Water is clear
Then, keep it high for one additional day and then you can let the chlorine drift down and keep it between 8-15ppm ALL the time.
Thanks, WaterMom.
@mjsboone: I just checked your form results, and your pool definitely seems to be improving over the interval you recorded (8/1 - 8/4). In particular, I noticed the gradually diminishing CC levels (3.0, 2.0, 2.0, 1.5, 0.5, 1.5) and the improvement in odor. Both factors suggest you are on the right track, and are close to the 'finish line'.
Thank you PoolDoc. I will keep testing and posting until everything is square!
I was at 20ppm FC and CC 1 last night and added bleach- 1 1/2 jugs.
This morning I as at 24ppm FC and 1 CC- added 1/2 jug.
These numbers posted in history log.
I swept the pool this morning to waste and noticed a lot of greenish debris that was clumped on bottom-all out now! Also, there appears to be some staining on the liner that was not there before. Water is clear.
Brown / yellow dust that turned green when you swept it?
I would say more greenish brownish-clumpy. It has been over a week since being swept and with the filter pretty much going all the daylight hours, today was the first day that I looked at it very still. There was a lot of junk on the bottom. Pool has not had much use to stir it up. Could I still have algae or even dead algae settled on bottom?
Just went out and looked at pool again. Looks great-clear and sparkly. Could some of that staining disappeared this quickly??? Within the past 2 hours???
Yes, if the stains were organic, high chlorine can take care of them. Even though your water looks clear, still keep high chlorine until you meet the 3 criteria posted above.
Noticing some changes in pool this morning and have submitted pool history entries. Would it be possible for Watermom or PoolDoc to take a look?
Thanks for all your guidance and support!
Ok, you're reporting what sounds like mustard algae -- so you'll need even higher levels of chlorine.
BUT . . . I'm puzzled by the difference in readings between what you entered in the form, and what you entered in the notes. For example you entered pH=7.0 in the form, but in the notes you have pH=7.6 .
I am unable to enter decimal points on the form for some reason. I asked the tech guru in my household and he says that the keyboard that pops up on my tablet from your history form will not let me add symbols. I believe I have been entering the correct numbers with decimal points in the narrative section on pool history form.
Argh. I am SO not loving the transition from computers to tablets and phones! In so many ways, it's a technological step backwards, with smaller screens, worse keyboards, 'helper' apps that have unpredictable effects on data (and form!) entry, and so on.
I'm actually going to have drag out old pages from PoolSolutions, because they were better optimized for the smaller screen sizes typical of phones and tablets.
Personally, I have a 1920 x 1080 screen on both my desktop and my iPad . . . but naturally, the iPad is less than 1/4 as usable as the desktop. Of course, it IS easier to carry around.
Ok. Done whining for now.
I'm sure it is a challenge to keep up with tech advances which constantly set you back with changes. I am technologically challenged myself and depend on my 21 year old brainiac son to keep me on track! Back to my water... how much higher FC? I am trying to get it to that 25ppm and hold. Not there yet. Seems to go back to 21-22 FC over night and then again at dusk. Keep adding appropriate dose of bleach to get it to 25. Should that eventually take care of the mustard algae if I am diligent in vaccing to waste and brushing? I'm sorry I am so full of questions everyday...
No problem with the questions.
Chlorine => 25% of your CYA => ~35 ppm or HIGHER!
The other option is to use phosphate remover. Mustard algae is VERY chlorine resistant. I'd recommend first trying 35 ppm + daily brushing, and see if you can eradicate it that way. It's much easier to remove mustard algae from vinyl pools than other types. Do NOT use any of the mustard algae products -- they ALL have horrendous side effects. Don't bother with polyquat; it's not very effective against mustard algae.
If you want, you can try borates. Raising your borate level to 60 ppm improves the aesthetics of the pool water somewhat, and helps with green algae. It may help with mustard algae somewhat, AND it will help with winter maintenance. If you want to pursue that, you'll need 22 boxes of 20 Mule Team borax and about 6 gallons of PLAIN 31% muriatic acid, like the Crown Muriatic at Lowes
The remaining option is using a phosphate remover, but doing so successfully requires a definite plan and consistent efforts on your part. Simply adding phosphate remover without a plan and without accurate phosphate testing is likely to be nothing but a waste of money.
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°.
How's it going?
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...
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!
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.
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!
Thanks, Carl! I had a feeling mjsboone might be struggling out there waiting for input.
Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.
.
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PoolDoc
Mjsboone has been aiming for a shock level of 25ppm. Do you think he's still good to go to maintenance?Quote:
Originally Posted by PoolDoc
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?
Yes. Take it on up. Mustard algae is tough to eradicate.
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.
.
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.
Whoops! I meant confusing!Quote:
Originally Posted by FormerBromineUser