Clear, but no chlorine???

[mary jo]

already tested everything at 12:30. CYA=150. FC=32, CC=0
however- pH is up to 7.8 today. it's been hovering around 7.6 for the past week.

[BigDave]

... Have you checked your CYA lately? BigDave mentioned the possibility of some conversion of CYA ...

I think this may have happened before mary jo started this thread when the FC was 0 for alot of the time. I don't think it's an ongoing issue.

@mary jo: pH test is probably inaccurate with FC at this level, I wouldn't bother with it for now.

[JimK]

Just had another thought : it looks like rain here. Should I cover the pool if we do get rain? I've never had rain water in my pool before ( another big rule from the pool installers which I've always adhered to- always cover the pool when it rains.... Rainwater is bad).

I don't know there's anything inherently bad about rainwater. I've never noticed any negative effect. The only time it's an issue is if we get too much and I have to pump water out of the pool (may have to rebalance after that). Of course if we get a lot of wind as well then there the mess to clean up from all the crap from the trees (we have a lot of trees around).

[FormerBromineUser]

.
Was the 32 FC result at 12:30 BEFORE adding anything?

In other words, is this scenario correct:
7:30 you were at FC 22; you added 2-1/2 jugs
12:30 retested FC and got 32. No additions from 7:30 to 12:30

I just want to make sure about this because if this scenario IS correct..... your results are promising.

You only have to do the “wait an hour and retest” at night when you’re trying to determine overnight chlorine loss. I wanted to make sure you understood the AT NIGHT part.

At night, dose the pool with bleach to get a FC of 30, wait an hour and THEN take another reading for the night. Sorry, my brain is slow.

[FormerBromineUser]

Please don't bypass my above post but I am going to bring up a side issue which has been bugging me all day. I had questions about your pool installer before but now.... Rainwater is bad? He said that? The overwhelming majority of outdoor pools are not covered in the rain. If rain was that "bad" for a pool, many pool owners would be in big trouble. I LOVE rainwater as it keeps me from having to fill from my iron-laded well water. Was the "rainwater is bad" part of a sales pitch to get you to purchase an expensive auto-cover? You have the best reason in the world to have an auto-cover: your son. Don't get me wrong. I have an auto-cover and love it! However, in my book, rainwater is a blessing!
p.s. Did this same installer say anything that made you hesitant about cleaning behind your lights?

[mary jo]

Hi- I did look online yesterday and found some specific info on the possible negative effects of rainwater ( namely acid rain messing with the pH) . A chem geek guy gave a very detailed analysis about plausible scenarios - ie. what 1" of rain does to pH level.... required logarithm calls but results were negligible. I think the pool guy wanted to offer me the most maintenance free options and no rain water means less chance of algae and less vacuuming? ( and yes he did mention acid rain messing with the pool chemistry). Good to know I don't have to run out and close it all the time.

[BigDave]

Rain does usually drop my pH a bit, not usually enough to adjust. Big storms drop alot of leaves and sticks in my pool.

Did you get an overnight chlorine loss reading? What are the FC and CC measurments?

[mary jo]

Ok- this mornings stats:
Last evening tested at 7:45. FC =30 CC=0.5 added 1 jug
re-tested at 9:00. FC=36
Tested again at 12:45. FC= 36. CC=0.5

This morning tested at 8:00 CL=28. CC=1. Added 1 jug
re-tested at 9:00 CL=33. CC=1

[BigDave]

Sounds like it's going well. Lost 11ppm FC night before last and 8 last night. Good.

Is the pool still clear with no smell?

[mary jo]

The pool is still very clear, with no smell.
I didn't realize it was such a slow process….