chlorine

[willis1]

I can add bleach to my pool and the reading is very high and check it 3 hour later and the chlorine is down to .5 why, some sun and outside temp. Is 88. How do i fix this

[jwhouse]

Several things can cause large chlorine loss. Low CYA+full sun all day, algae bloom and the list could go on. How are you currently testing? Using a drop test OTO, "guess" strips or pool store results?

First thing to do would be to get a GOOD set of test results, preferrably from a titrating drop test kit such as the Taylor K-2006 and post those. Then we can help you figure out what's going on in your pool.

[willis1]

I have the kit and the cya is how down to 0, i just tested it again

[jwhouse]

I have the kit and the cya is how down to 0, i just tested it again

So by "the kit", do you mean the Taylor K-2006 and if so, you're saying that your black dot never disappeared?

If your CYA is less than 30, this is most likely why your chlorine is disappearing so quickly. Have you done an overnight chlorine loss test to determine if you are losing chlorine due to anything other than sun burnoff? If not, with your pump on, hit your pool with a dose of chlorine after the sun is down then before bed test your chlorine level. Be sure that at least an hour has passed to give your CL time to circulate before you test. Then, in the morning within an hour or so of the sun coming up but preferrably befor the sun hits the pool, test again noting the difference in the two tests. If there has been no loss then your chlorine loss issue is due to your lack of CYA in the pool.
You can add CYA by using stabilizer (cyanuric acid) to your pool or you can chlorinate with a stabilized chlorine product such as dichlor or trichlor. If the latter, be sure to verify the ingredients of the chlorinator prior to purchase/use. If it has anything in it such as Copper Sulfate pentahydrate and/or Aluminum Sulfate then DO NOT USE.
Be sure to read the Best Guess Chlorine Guide as the amount of chlorine you need to maintain is directly related to the levels of CYA in your pool.

[CarlD]

You need to read our stickies on pool chemistry and testing.
You'll find more tips at our sister site, Poolsolutions.com