CYA level and chlorine level and pool store recomendation

[Fishcrazy]

Janet Sorry for the confusion and I think I will take your advice and wait for the kit to arrive. I have been using test strips for my personal testing except that I did just get a CYA test kit because the test strips did not have that test included and I therefore had no way to check it other than the pool store. The results I get with the test strips are quite different from the pool store results which im sure are good quality tests. I therefore am not going to act on the test strip results and am going to get a test kit to do my own testing with. I am suspect of the pool store test results as well due to our difference in the CYA results that we show. I will post the test results as soon as I get the kit.

Carl thanks for the input. I will get some washing soda if the test numbers reveal that they are the same as posted above with a real kit. Im only confidant of the CYA number though at this point. I was relieved that my CYA tested at 35 as opposed to the 60 that the pool store told me that it was. Im somewhat surprised to hear that you feel 35 is high for CYA. What would your target level be for CYA?

[aylad]

I believe that Carl was referring to the reported CYA at 60 ppm as high--we generally recommend that people start out around 40 ppm in their pools, and only raise it from there if there is a continuing problem with chlorine consumption that is due to the sun, all other causes ruled out.

Janet

[CarlD]

Thanks, Janet. Yes I was referring to CYA=60 as high. It's not bad, you simply must compensate for it.

Carl

[Fishcrazy]

Well I recieved my test kit today and ran the following test on the pool. FC=7.5, CC=0.5, pH=6.8, TA=40.

I did not recheck the CYA and assume it to be unchanged from 35 yesterday. pH is low and Alkalinity low. Washing soda? How much? My pool is 27 round 52 inch. I have initally added algecide to the water and am wondering if I should do a periodic maintenance dose of that. If so how much and how often? Thanks

[CarlD]

Hi Fish:
1) I would add a box of washing soda, with the filter running, wait an hour, then check pH again. Your pool MAY be 6.8, but it may lower and you won't know until it's 6.9 or better. If it's still below 6.8, put in a second box. wait an hour, and test. At this point I would switch to borax instead of washing soda..your TA should be fine by then.
2) DO NOT USE THE ALGaECIDE! It will only make more problems. The ONLY algaecide we ever suggest using is called Polyquat 60%. If it says "Poly....<something unpronounceable>.... 60%" and has no other active ingredient, that's the stuff. All other algaecides cause more trouble than they are worth. If you use PolyQuat, only use about 1-2 ounces a week--that's all
3) CC=.5 means .5 or less. It should be no problem, especially if your chlorine doesn't drop much overnight. If it does, raise the chlorine up to FC=15 and it should clear it.

Carl

[Fishcrazy]

Thanks a lot Carl. I will get that started today. I sure appreciate all the advice!

[Fishcrazy]

I have been testing regular and until yesterday saw no need to add chlorine. I have been watching the FC fall from 6 at about a point a day till it hit 2.5 and decided to add some stabilized tabs through the floating chlorinator. My purpose here is to figure out how to set the chlorinator to keep the pool chlorinated at a steady level for purposes of extended times away from home. My CYA is at 35 so I can afford to use some of the stabilized tabs and I am watching the levels for any signs of increased levels. As soon as I figure out the settings for the chlorinator Im switching to bleach. Im hoping to be able to cover the pool while I am away with the pump running and the floating chlorinator loaded to keep the pool going for a couple of weeks. Am I just barking at the moon with this plan or what? I just have to be away sometimes. If this is not possible ahen any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. My alk=50 and the pH seems stable at 7.2 and CL=3 up from 2.5 over 2 days of the floating chlorinator at work. I have very little sun on the pool during the day. About 2 hours is all. My CL drops about a point a day it seems with CC=.5 or less. I only get a hint of pink with one drop clearing it. Does anyone make pucks without stabilizer in them? I dont know what I will do if CYA gets too high to use the pucks when Im away. Is there any reason that I should be concerned about the CC=0.5? It seems to be slowly disapating but traces still there. Any thoughts about covering up for 2 weeks at the time while running the pump would be appreciated.