Pool Survived Vacation! ?? Chlorine levels

[mroll]

Well walls DID feel little slimy but water still clear..Test FC was back down to 2 PH down to 7.4 SO I put in 4 cups of the liquid shock. Is that enough? Chlorine was so stable for so long.. Do you think this is cause of heavy rains?? Was no heavy use age..
thanks again...

Just added 6 more cups of shock after reading further on this forum..Hopefully that should do it....

[BigDave]

Rain doesn't cause high chlorine demand, the beginnings of an algae bloom do. I think it's pretty clear that algae's got it's foot in the door and it's time to shock.

As I recall your last reported CYA was 55 - how did you come by that? Half way between 50 and 60? Let's use 60 to be safe.

According to Ben's Best Guess Chart the shock level for your pool's CYA is 20ppm. One large jug (182oz) of plain household beach should get you there to start. Put it in, brush the pool, and test FC and CC half an hour later. Add bleach as needed to get the FC above 20ppm.

As often as possible (at least twice a day): Test FC and CC. Add bleach as needed to get the FC above 20ppm. ( In your pool each Cup of 6% bleach adds 0.7ppm of FC )

Brush the pool daily.

Run pump / filter 24/7; clean as needed.

Continue until one day after you you have 1ppm or less FC loss overnight ( test FC near sundown and again near sunrise ) and there is 0.5ppm or less CC and the water is clear. The one day after is to be sure we've got it all.

You can swim but wear an old suit as swimwear might be damaged by the shock level FC.

[mroll]

HELP!!!Before you posted I ran out and tested .FC was 7.5. I'm leaving in a bit I can throw in 1 gallon more of bleach and run filter before I go (Canot brush) OR I can test again around 3:30 when I'm back and see if I'm still loosing chlorine. Then either leave it or proceed with your instructions of throwing more in. Which should I do???

[BigDave]

Put the gallon of bleach in and brush when you get home. Buy some bleach while you're out. Run the filter.

[mroll]

Put the gallon of bleach in and brush when you get home. Buy some bleach while you're out. Run the filter.

Sorry.. Confused..Bleach in NOW ...Brush Later...Filter Now??? or everything later?

[BigDave]

Yes, put bleach in now.
Brush when you can.
Filter all the time.
Start the shock process as soon as you can.
Sorry for being unclear.

[mroll]

I truly appreciate all your help. Much thanks. I will throw bleach in now before I leave and let you know whats what later.
Oh BTW since I've been home I have been leaving the bleach outside. Could it be losing its efficiency? I cannot imagine what caused this to happen when it was gong along so good.....
Later

[BigDave]

Yep bleach (and especially Liquid Chlorine) degrade over time - the higher the concetration, the faster the degradation. This is accelerated by heat and light. Best to store your bleach in a cool dark place.

[mroll]

This is getting very confusing...last night FC was 8.5..This morning FC 6.5 so I added a little less than a gallon (all I had left) Ran to WalMart and stocked up on bleach.. At 5:30 pm I added 12 cups and tested 1 1/2 hours later and got FC 10 so then I added 6 cups more. I must STRESS that the pool is still sparkling clear and the walls seem fine too. I did test the CYA again and it was 35!!!SO WHERE THE HECK IS MY CHLORINE GOING???.WHATS GOING ON????.. I am running LOW on the reagent drops for chlorine testing now too so I guess I better reorder that too...
To add to this thunderstorms are expected tomorrow and Saturday!!
What do I do????????

[PoolDoc]

Hi Marcy,

It's getting a bit hard to follow what's going on with your pool. To make it easier on BigDave and others who've been helping, please do two things:

1. Complete the Pool Chart:

Pool Chart Entry Form

2. Go back to the 31st and log all your chemical readings and additions in your Pool History form (I just created it, and sent you the links by email.) You can view the results but you'll need to be logged into your GMail account to do so.

Thanks!

Ben