Clear, but no chlorine???

[BigDave]

OK. So...
To start shock, add 6 jugs 8.25% bleach to go from 0 FC to 30ppm FC.
or
To get through party first, add 3 jugs 8.25% bleach to go from 0 to 15ppm FC.

Each Jug will add a little over 5ppm FC.

I would add a half box of Borax.

Also:
Sorry about that! Your first post said "15,000 SF rectangular" then I scanned for a volume and, apparently, found FormerBromineUser's volume - My Bad.

[mary jo]

BigDave: My daughter thanks you (as do I)!!!! I will do as advised.

oh- Why am I super diligent (crazy) about keeping the pool covered- especially at night????
Main reason I got a pool was for my youngest (I have 4) who has special needs. Also the main reason I paid big bucks to get an automatic pool cover. He loves water but can be impulsive and loves to get up early (4:30am) and get into trouble. Twice during pool construction (during excavation) he ran out and attempted to jump into the hole from our deck.

But I read about the chemical build-up that occurs during shocking so I will be extra careful in keeping him away from the open water, and keep the cover open until this chlorine issue is resolved.
thanks again.

[BigDave]

With that safety issue, I would keep it closed and deal with the consequences. If there's damage, it's only money.

[mary jo]

funny- that's what my husband always says….
I'm a night owl so I can keep the cover open til about 2am, then close until morning.
i have the test bucket with pool water & 1/2 cup bleach in it. Will let you know tomorrow what happens.
thanks

[FormerBromineUser]

.
You have a VERY important reason to keep your cover closed at night. There are other advantages too.

I almost always keep my cover closed at night: It helps keep in heat and that has been a real advantage with the cool weather this year! It helps keep critters from finding the pool at night; I never find dead toads, chipmunks, voles, etc. unless I leave it open. If a storm comes up at night, windblown debris stays out. (I rarely have to vacuum because I also close it during the day if there's any type of strong wind).

I leave it open: If my water level is low and it is going to rain with little to no wind. If the pool water temperature gets high and I need to cool it off. If I have to go to shock level. I also left it open while I was lowering my TA and aerating with my fountains.

Good luck with your pool and the party!

[mary jo]

Good Morning; I wanted to touch base and let you know how it was going, in case I'm was off base or spinning my wheels. Here's where I'm at: SATURDAY evening added 3 jugs of bleach, by next morning @ 7:50am and got CL=.5, CC=1.0
Here's my log:
SUNDAY:
8am added 3 jugs
test @ 9am CL=18 CC=1

test @ 12 noon CL=5.5 CC=1
added 2 jugs

test @ 2:30 CL=9.5 CC=.5
added 1 jug

test @ 5:30 CL=7.5 CC=.5
added 3 jugs

test @ 8:30 CL=13 CC=.5
added 1 jug

test @ 11:50 CL=10.5 CC=.5
added 3 jugs

MONDAY:
test @ 7am CL=10 CC=.5
added 1 jug

test @ 9am CL=12.5 CC=0
added 1 jug

SO- it seems Saturday the pool was steadily losing approx 2.5 ppm CL/hour, right? Today its losing less, but still early in the day (a rainy one at that). Is that how it's supposed to go? Am I on the right track?

[BigDave]

How does the water look? Still clear? No stains?

Did you happen to test pH when the FC was below 10 yesterday?

Sounds like you are on the right track. The only chlorine demand I recall like this was caused by ammonia that was the result of bacterial conversion of CYA over winter. Maybe your pool got into this situation, the bacteria could grow unseen turning CYA into ammonia if the active chlorine was low enough. I would, however, expect to see visible algae if the chlorine / CYA ratio was so low. Maybe it was the fertilizer.

Does the pool water stink of chlorine like a heavily used indoor pool (after the cover's been open a while) or does it have little smell?