Questions

[gfritz1]

Last year with a chlorine block issue the Forum worked me through it and since have been on the BBB method or at least I think . I have only been using Bleach as required to keep my level around 5 ppm . Presently water is perfect as PH is 7.4 Alk 80 and hardness 180. Have no combined chorine . I do have a metal stain issue and need to address and looking at options?

When on 3inch tabs I was shocking every 2 weeks and treating weekly with Backup for Algae . Since on Chlorine bleach should I still be using the weekly Algae treatment of Backup as I have been doing this ? Do I shock and if so what schedule and with my history of chlorine block do you have a recommendation?

Thanks

[TomC]

I think for preventing algae growth, unless you have very specific problems, bleach is pretty much all you will need. If by chlorine block, you mean that your cya was so high you had to drain and refill, as long as you did this, and your cya level is in the 30-40 ppm range, the history doesn't matter. I know some here will disagree with me, but I super chlorinate my pool after every pool party, and at least every 3 weeks. My pool gets a lot of use, by kids of all ages, and my 2 dogs. We also have ducks that like to visit, so I'm always concerned about killing all the microbes introduced by both people and animals.

Do you know what your cya level is?

Tom

[gfritz1]

Thanks for reply . CYA is 90 . Both of the last two years I had periods of very clear water and everything in balance but could not get a chlorine reading . I did partial drain both years and then did a high shock after . Nobody could explain after 20 plus years why this problem was occurring . After last year which occurred around July I switched to bleach only and have not had a issue holding chlorine since . With a CYA of 90 I try to hold between 5-10 which was the recommendation last year . My concern other than normal check of chlorine and adjustment with addition of bleach I do nothing else .
Pool usage is low as its a few adults daily unless the grandchildren come home which might be once a month .
I do have a concern as the black birds have determine my pool is the deposit zone for their afterbirth . I have installed the fish line x cross plus the owl and some big eyes with improved results but appears now they have found ways to get through this defense system . Once birthing stops this will stop.
So when you super chlorinate what does this mean ? Do you only use bleach and how often?

[BigDave]

I see you're familiar with Ben's Best Guess Chart - great! It sounds like everything's under control and going well - Did I miss something?
I wouldn't use the algecide (and then only polyquat 60%) unless you expect chlorine to drop (like during stain renoval).
The bird donations are pretty gross, that's for sure. Perhaps keep the FC a little higher than the minimum, scoop out and vaccuum what you can see and the chlorine will destroy the microbes.

[gfritz1]

Just trying to make sure doing everything correctly

Pump runs 12 hrs per day
DE Hayward Pool inground vinyl 23000
Check all readings weekly unless heavy use or grandchildren home
Check chlorine daily and adjust to back above 5
Water 82-84 Full sun
Vacuum at least three times a week
Other than that do nothing else - so my questions trying to get answered

IS THIS ALL I NEED TO DO ?

You said don't add algaecide unless you have algae issue or if driving FC low for stain removal - So think I understand that now

Do I ever shock ? If so when and how ?

Yes the birds are nasty and am sure others have experienced this . Any solution?

[Watermom]

You seem to have a good handle on things. I would test the pH more often than once per week however unless over a period of time you find that yours stays pretty steady. As far as shocking the pool, you actually don't ever have to routinely shock a pool as long as you keep your chlorine in the appropriate range based on your CYA level and have a CC reading less than 0.5ppm. When it is necessary, you can simply add a large dose of bleach to take the bleach up to shock level. You say that you add enough chlorine to get back to 5. This means that it is getting below 5 which is putting your pool at risk of an algae bloom. With a CYA of 90, you don't ever want to let the chlorine go below 5pp. Speaking of CYA, yours is already kinda high at 90. If it were my pool, I would quit using the trichlor pucks and just stick with bleach.

[gfritz1]

It was above 100 last year when did a partial drain and then a super shock for 24hrs at above 20 .This was when I had a zero chlorine reading and had followed the pool store adding stuff. Since doing that last year and getting a reading and being able to hold that reading day in day out including winter I have been 100% on bleach . I learned the hard way that all the stabilized tabs do is eventually get you into a problem . Using only bleach I assume over time my CYA will drop as water is lost though daily sun exposure and people splashing and refilled with rain water .I know it will take time. So you saying if I look at best guess chart I should be 5-10 which means then need to raise to 7.5 and hopefully then can catch each day so does not dip below 5. What is normal in chorine lost per day realizing a lot of things impact that ? Im seeing maybe 2-3 ppm adding the bleach in the morning. MY CC is basically zero
Thanks again for all the help and answers

[Watermom]

You want to raise the chlorine high enough so that when you test in the evening, it is not below 5. Try going to 7.5 and if you still drop lower than 5, try 8, etc. Actually, with a CYA at 90, you might add enough bleach to take the chlorine to 10ppm and then you might not need to dose it for a couple of days. That is one advantage of having a higher CYA pool ---- less frequent additions of bleach. You just have to learn how your pool behaves. By the way, it is best to add bleach in the evenings when the sun is off the pool rather than in the mornings.