Brand new pool owner = new to BBB method

[PoolDoc]

From what I could see of your numbers, it looks like your pool is doing fine, so long as you keep chlorine in it.

Ben

[stslimited84]

From what I could see of your numbers, it looks like your pool is doing fine, so long as you keep chlorine in it.

Ben

Question for you guys/gals:

On the multiport, there is a clear plastic half cylinder with water in it. This piece of plastic with water has green algae in it. Ive been monitoring the chlorine levels and have tried to keep it above 3 ppm. The CYA has been completely dissolved via the sock method as discussed previously. I add the required amount of chlorine to bring the chlorine to 7ppm every evening, but haven't been able to check it the next day till about noon. The level typically has dropped to 3ish by then. My pool gets sun early, but im not sure it would be using that much within a couple hours especially since the CYA has been added, so I suspect the chlorine is being used overnight.

Is the algae in the plastic half cylinder cause for concern?

On a side note, the previous owner essentially planted a forest around the pool for privacy, and the amount of debris blown into the pool is incredible. I'm going to be removing the mulch and replacing it with river rock. There are several large arborvitae around the pool. I don't think they contribute much debris and like the added privacy they give. I do want to replace the leafy plants which contribute heavily to the debris along with the mulch with something that will increase privacy and not dirty the pool. Suggestions?

[Watermom]

Is there any algae in the pool? If so, since your CYA should now be at about 40, your shock level would be about 15. Your maintenance chlorine levels will be between 3-6 all the time.

After you backwash your filter, do you rinse? I wonder if doing so would clear the sight glass? Might be something to try.

[PoolDoc]

On the multiport, there is a clear plastic half cylinder with water in it. This piece of plastic with water has green algae in it. Is the algae in the plastic half cylinder cause for concern?

No. It's the multiport backwash sight glass, and has no contact with circulating pool water.

On hot sunny days, you could definitely lose several ppm of chlorine by noon, with CYA=25ppm or less

I have no advice on landscaping, except to avoid 'crap myrtles' like the plague -- those things poop in the pool year-round! -- Seeds, twigs, leaves, petals, etc, all year long.

[stslimited84]

No. It's the multiport backwash sight glass, and has no contact with circulating pool water.

ok good thats a relief.

On hot sunny days, you could definitely lose several ppm of chlorine by noon, with CYA=25ppm or less

I havent retested the CYA yet but with the addition of the last 3 pounds, it should be up around 40ppm. My pool gets full sun for about 9-9.5 hours a day. Is 40ppm CYA sufficient or should we go higher?

[PoolDoc]

Use the Best Guess chart to determine appropriate chlorine levels. If you use higher levels than needed, you'll have higher chlorine loss than necessary.

[stslimited84]

Use the Best Guess chart to determine appropriate chlorine levels. If you use higher levels than needed, you'll have higher chlorine loss than necessary.

I meant using a higher CYA level to slow chlorine loss; however I do realize I need to monitor the pool more until I get a better feel for the rate of chlorine usage and then go from there.

My understanding from reading on this forum is the higher the CYA level the slower the chlorine loss. On the flip side, with higher CYA levels you have to maintain a higher baseline of chlorine. Correct?

[Watermom]

Your understanding is correct.