How much chlorine loss is normal?

[dubbedout]

Ok so this morning FC is 9. Water still crystal clear. What's the deal?

[Watermom]

Since you only lost 0.5 chlorine overnight, that is good. It is normal to lose chlorine to the sun, but when you lose large amounts overnight when there is no sun, it is an indicator that you are fighting something. Since you lost less than 1ppm, it tells us that it is pretty certain that you have that algae bloom licked. But, you do need to add chlorine this morning. With your CYA level, you must keep the chlorine between 8-15 ALL THE TIME. If you let it drop below that, an algae bloom will start.

You don't show your volume, so I can't comment on bleach amounts. But, if you go to the Forum Q & A section, there is a thread called 'Bleach Calculator.' I think it is in the third post in that thread, there is a link so you can download a calculator. It has more than just a bleach calculator. In the upper left hand corner, there is a drop down with other calcs as well.

What you want to do is add enough bleach to get back up to 15. Then, test tonight. Again, add enough bleach to get back to 15. Then, tomorrow evening, see where you are when you test. If you are below 8, then you will want to take it just a little higher. My guess is that if you add enough bleach to get to 15, you should be able to make it a couple of days without adding more bleach. That is one benefit to having a high CYA pool.

I'm hoping that your chlorine loss will slow down and that your higher usage the other day was just a result of the recent algae bloom you were fighting. The key is that you can never let your chlorine drop below 8ppm.

Keep us posted how things are going and let us know if you have further questions.

[dubbedout]

Thanks Watermom! I have a mac so the bleach calculator doesn't work for me but I've been using www.thepoolcalculator.com to help calculate my chemicals and it seems to be working.

Btw, How do I get the standard signature with all my info on there? I remember filling out a google doc when I first signed up last year but never showed up for my sig.

[Watermom]

You can add it yourself and that would be a big help if you did. Go to settings (upper right near where you log in) and then click on create a signature. (or something to that effect). Please put type of pool, volume, size of pump, type filter and that you have a Taylor K-2006.

[dubbedout]

Ok, here's a little update.

On 6/26 my FC was 9ppm at 8am so I added 2 gallons of 8.25% bleach, I tested again at 10pm and it was down to 11ppm so I added another gallon. Then today I tested at 730pm and have FC at 10ppm.

So, as it looks I'm going through about 2 gallons a day to keep it above 8ppm due to my CYA being over 100. Water is still crystal clear so I'm assuming all this CL loss is due to the wonderful heat of AZ.

[posguy]

Ouch, $3 a day in chlorine + $ electricity for the pump. But in that heat I guess its worth it.

[dubbedout]

Yeah, if it weren't for the pool we really wouldn't spend much time outside during the summer. The pump runs overnight when the electricity is cheaper so it's not all that bad...what really makes the electricity bills out here so much is running the AC. I just went through 4 cases of bleach from Sams in a week!

I was wondering how much the temperature of the water plays a part in how fast my chlorine is being used. Currently my water is at 92, should I consider trying to cool off the water?