Low chlorine reading

[Watermom]

The 6-Way kit does not read higher than 5. Only a FAS-DPD test can. That is why we encourage people to buy the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C kit.

[sabres07]

OK, I will get that test kit ASAP. In the meantime, based on amounts of bleach I have used, my chlorine levels should be 15-20 at the least, which is where I want to be for now, right?

[PoolDoc]

Just one emendation: the 6-way does not READ higher than 5 ppm, but it does INDICATE higher levels, by a transition from dark yellow (~10 ppm) to orange (~30 ppm) to brown (> 60 ppm).

This is a VERY important difference from the DPD color match tests, which can bleach out and read 0.0 at FC levels as low as 15 ppm! Before we began pushing OTO *or* DPD-FAS kits, we used to have lots of problems with people adding more and more chlorine to their pool, think they had none, when in fact it was way too high.

[sabres07]

Yes, my test kit does go very yellow, to orange, which is where I am at right now this afternoon. I am keeping it there until tomorrow. It looks like it is holding on its own, and it is pretty sunny today.

I have added a home made aerator because my next problem is to lower TA. When this is making bubbles on my water, I am now getting some foaminess. Is that as a result of all the soda ash I added previously? Water looks very blue but still cloudy.

[Watermom]

Foaming is usually the result of cheap algaecides being added.

[PoolDoc]

Foamy pool water usually is a result of algaecide use.

[Watermom]

Looks like PoolDoc and I were posting at the same time!

(P.S. I'm glad to know that he knew the correct answer! )

[PBLsQuad450]

Maybe not ideal but your sticky on measuring Cl with a cheap kit might make things a little more accurate?

http://www.poolsolutions.com/gd/how-...d-testkit.html

[sabres07]

I am headed to the store to get some distilled water. I am really curious what my chlorine level is at. After numerous tests today, it appears as though it has remained stable (shock level). I am really curious why the water is still so cloudy. Is it possible to reach a point where there is no chlorine load anymore but the water still remains cloudy? I still believe that I added too much soda ash at the recommendation of the local pool store. I think all the excess soda ash is just in suspension? If that is the case, what should I do?

[PoolDoc]

Is it possible to reach a point where there is no chlorine load anymore but the water still remains cloudy? I still believe that I added too much soda ash at the recommendation of the local pool store. I think all the excess soda ash is just in suspension?

Nah! Soda ash is extremely soluble. And yes, pool water can be cloudy AFTER there's no longer any chlorine demand. There are at least a dozen reasons why that can be the case.

It's usually NOT worthwhile to try to figure out exactly what's going on . . . unless your purpose in having a pool is so you can do water treatment experiments! Instead, get your water right; get your filter right . . . and then wait!