Raising Free Chlorine levels with Bleach

[Deadduck]

New member here. Bought a house last year that has a pool. 30,000 in ground with vinyl liner. Last year used pool store BioGuard products. Took water sample in and went by their recommendations. Worked ok but expensive as heck.
Last fall I started using Pool Brand chlorine tablets from Sam's club because they were cheaper. I also used a bucket of Pool Brand granulated chlorine this spring to bring my chlorine levels up and to use as shock.

I just discovered this website and am trying to learn to do all this myself. I don't have the good testing kit yet, but according to my test strips my ph is 7.8 or so, TA and Hardness are on the high side but ok, but my free and total chlorine are low, and my CYA is around 80. My water is very clear and looks good, but I'm wanting to get my free chlorine level up.

I bought some 8% bleach. How much should I add to get my free chlorine levels up? Do I need to discontinue use of the Pool Brand Tablets and shock? Sounds like they are adding too much CYA which is counteracting the free chlorine, is that right?

Thanks!

[Watermom]

Hi and welcome to the Pool Forum!

In your pool, each gallon of 8.25% bleach will add about 2.8ppm of chlorine or each of the 121 oz. jugs will add about 2.6ppm. Use that as a reference to help you figure out doses of bleach to add.

If you haven't already done so, take a look at the Best Guess Chlorine Chart in my signature below for the relationship between CYA levels and needed chlorine levels. You are right that you don't want to use any more stabilized forms of chlorine which will continue to add more CYA and yours is plenty high already!

It sounds like you are going to order the Taylor K2006 kit? Good decision if that is the case. It will make it so much easier to take care of your pool. Plus, with a CYA of 80 (assuming that is right though we don't trust test strips), you're going to have to keep your chlorine between 5-10ppm all the time and it is the only kit that will allow you to test chlorine levels that are that high.

Hope this helps! Let us know if you have further questions!

[Deadduck]

Great, thanks so much for the information. Yes, am planning to get the Taylor 2006 kit.

So adding the bleach, just pour in the pool in various places or what? Also, what do you do if you are going to be gone for a week if you don't have tablets in the skimmers? Just get the chlorine level high before you go?

Thanks again!

[Watermom]

I usually just pour it slowly into my skimmer while the pump is running and then be sure to leave the pump running for several hours afterward to let it get mixed in well. if you are going on vacation, you can shock the pool before you go and then if possible, ask a neighbor to stop by a couple times during the week and pour in a little bleach for you.

[PoolDoc]

. . . membership updated.


1. You can stop using tabs for the most part, but still use them in the skimmer while gone.

2. Read the info about the chlorine / CYA relationship => http://pool9.net/cl-cya/ It *definitely* applies to your situation.

Welcome!

[Deadduck]

Thanks for the quick and helpful replies and the updated membership!

[Watermom]

You are welcome! Glad to have you with us!