high FC low CC

[hkcon]

hi guys, here are my test results FC 66 ppm, CC 0 ppm, PH 8.0, TA 90 ppm, CYA 0... 26,000 gals. water clear and bright I live in northern ca. and I do not plan to winterize as we use the hot tub (connected) all winter. this is my first test with a k-2006 so results may be newbie "tainted"...I know I need some muriatic and stabilizer and that my CC is obviously low ( I have been adding 1 gal. of 12.5 liquid chlorine everyother day) so I am looking for order of adding ingredients...ty for the help I know you guys are going to hit me with....

[Watermom]

Do you really have a FC reading of 66ppm? Don't add any more chlorine for now. Explain how you tested. Also, tell us what kind of pool you have --- vinyl, concrete, fiberglass, etc.

Your pH reading of 8.0 cannot be trusted when you have high chlorine. So, do not add any muriatic acid at this time.

Is this a freshly filled pool? Is liquid chlorine the only source of chlorine you have used? Just trying to understand why you have no CYA.

Also, you do NOT want a CC reading. So, CC of 0 is perfect!

[hkcon]

Do you really have a FC reading of 66ppm? Don't add any more chlorine for now. Explain how you tested. Also, tell us what kind of pool you have --- vinyl, concrete, fiberglass, etc.

Your pH reading of 8.0 cannot be trusted when you have high chlorine. So, do not add any muriatic acid at this time.

Is this a freshly filled pool? Is liquid chlorine the only source of chlorine you have used? Just trying to understand why you have no CYA.

Also, you do NOT want a CC reading. So, CC of 0 is perfect!

Hi Watermom,
ok things have changed a bit since I was here last. I filled out the form so all my info is there (wherever that is) but to answer you I tested once and had to put in 33 drops before the water went clear with a taylor k-2006a. concrete, not freshly filled (water has been in for at least 5 yrs since I have owned it. Yes I only use liquid chlorine, but I recently switched from 10% to 12.5%. I believe i have no cya because I put in 8 lbs at the opening of the season and nothing since. I have not added anything as I was pretty sure I would do the wrong thing...I await your instructions...

[aylad]

If you put in 33 drops, then your chlorine is actually 16.5 (if you used the 10 mL sample). You divide by 2, instead of multiplying by 2. I would add CYA to around 40-50 ppm, but otherwise your numbers don't look too bad. If it's a concrete pool, then your calcium needs to be 200-400 ppm, but you didn't list that. If it's too low, then the water will leach the calcium out of your concrete finish and make it brittle.

[hkcon]

If you put in 33 drops, then your chlorine is actually 16.5 (if you used the 10 mL sample). You divide by 2, instead of multiplying by 2. I would add CYA to around 40-50 ppm, but otherwise your numbers don't look too bad. If it's a concrete pool, then your calcium needs to be 200-400 ppm, but you didn't list that. If it's too low, then the water will leach the calcium out of your concrete finish and make it brittle.

thank you Aylad, my test kit said to multiply by drop equivalence (0.2 for 25 ml, and 0.5 for 10 ml), and i just realized I am a moron and 33 times .2 equals 6.6 not 66, ok so question now becomes, "how much CYA to get my pool to that 40-50 ppm area"? I have 25 lbs on hand.

[hkcon]

also my ch is 230 so I am ok on that right?

[aylad]

What kind of pool do you have? If it's plaster or concrete, then Ca of 230 is ok but I wouldn't let it get lower than that. If it's a liner pool, then the Ca reallydoesn't matter, as long as it doesn't get high enough to cloud your water. I'm at work right now and don't have access to my chem caculator but when I get home later I'll figure the answer to your CYA question if nobody beats me to it.

[waterbear]

Hi Watermom,
I believe i have no cya because I put in 8 lbs at the opening of the season and nothing since.

Have you tested it? 8 lbs in 26000 gallons would be just shy of 40 ppm and since CYA is only lost by water replacement from splash out or backwashing I doubt it is at 0 ppm now but it might be below a testable level (30 ppm with the K-2006).

Test it first and if it is truly 0 ppm (sample stays clear with NO hint of cloudiness) then add 6 to 6.5 lbs (by wieght) initially. That should bring you to about 30 ppm (assuming your 26000 gallons is correct and give you margin for error if it is not). Test after 1 week (to make sure it is all dissolved). If you are still is too low to test or below 30 ppm add another 2 lbs, wait a week and test. Repeat this until your CYA is where you want it. (2 lbs is about a 9 ppm increase.) IT is much safer to 'creep up' on the desired level then to try and do it all at once unless you are ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN of your current level (which I do not believe you are) and you are ABLSOLUTELY CERTAIN of the ACUTUAL volume of your pool.

If your CYA is NOT 0 ppm when you test (the sample is cloudy but the dot does not disappear) then figure that every 2 lbs will raise it by about 9 ppm. Add 2 lbs at a time, wait a week and retest. Creep up on a value around 40 ppm and you should be good.

[hkcon]

ok I will do the 2lb thing as that sounds safest, I am not keeping chlorine for more than a day and I am not using the pool and it is covered. it is concrete so is the 230 ch a little low? how do I take care of that if it is? ty for all of the help you guys are giving me.

[aylad]

To raise your calcium, you can either add calcium flakes or just chlorinate for awhile using cal-hypo, and the calcium will rise.