Newbie with a 21' AG pool, wondering about copper

[Watermom]

If you don't want to use the dichlor, it is perfectly fine to use the granular CYA. I have done so for many years without a problem. You can slowly pour it into the skimmer while the pump is running and then just leave your pump running for the first 4 or 5 days after adding it while it is dissolving. Don't retest your CYA level for about a week after you add it to make sure it is fully dissolved and in the water to be able to be detected or else you are just wasting your reagent.

[The Frant]

Ok I picked up a box of PoolBrand dichlor bagged shock from Sam's today. When I got home about 1:00, I tested and the test said 0 CC. So I added one bag and waited a few hours. Then I got a surprise around 5. My K2006C test kit arrived. So I can now post my numbers.

So here are my numbers from the new test kit. If I did everything correctly
FC=.66
CC=0
PH=7.8
TA=120
CYA=0

[PoolDoc]

OK, need a little more chlorine.

Don't overtest CYA -- you'll run out of reagent.

[Watermom]

How can the chlorine reading be 0.66?? Maybe meant 6.6 instead?

[The Frant]

I thought something didn't seem right with my chlorine levels. So I checked again and my math was off. I multiplied by .02 instead of .2.

So my FC is 6.6, but my CC is still 0.

[Watermom]

CC of 0 is good. That is what you want!

[The Frant]

I tested my water today and my FC was 4, CC was 0 and CA was 40. I picked up a box of the 1lb dichlor bags from Sam's. I have been using that for the last couple of days.
How fast does CA usually drop? Should I continue to use the dichlor or do CA levels stay good for a while?

[BigDave]

CYA is lost from backwash, splashout, and sometimes bacteria will consume it if chlorine is depleted. Once you get it where you want it, it should pretty much stay.