Need encouragement.

[DavidD]

ShellyAnne,

Please don't get upset at what I'm about to say. I assure you I mean no ill intent (I always hate when people say this and usually get pissed off right away Hope you're a little more level headed than I ).

I think you are worrying entirely too much and may be trying to micro manage your pool. Remember it is supposed to be a point of enjoyment for you yet it sounds as if it is worrying you to death!. Let’s look at the facts.

1. Your pool is clear and looks great by your own account
2. Your chem.’s are in line.
3. You do not have any CC's.
4. Your chlorine seams to hold perfectly over night.
5. You do not have algae.

I really believe the chlorine you smell is probably amplified by the fact that you are keeping it at shock levels. It has to go somewhere so in the day UV uses it up and at night you probably loose some in evaporation hence the "smell". Yes, I have heard the general rule "If you smell it, you need more" however I believe that refers to a strong smell which is really subjective. I also firmly believe that a good test kit is far better to rely on than any human sense other than maybe sight. I am no expert (except in the eyes of my family and friends and that is onlybecause of this forum and every one here ) but these are my observations from afar. My advice would be to let the FC drop back down to the 3 to 5 ppm range, enjoy and if there is a problem, address it then. Meanwhile, jump in, have a good time and post some pictures of your "success story".
Stay ahead but don’t let it push you.

Dave

[ShelleyAnn]

Everyone will be pleased to hear that not only I, but my neighbor and her 4 boys swam in the pool today! (cheering audible from here). There is a spring in my step and someone actually heard me laugh!

Dave - I totally agree with you...on all points. I am not angry in the least and only want to hug you.

Janet - I can't wait for the CYA I added this morning to dissolve and try it out The idea of testing once every morning and not 6 times a day and adding chlorine twice a week and not 6 times a day brings a smile to my face even now. Yeah, ok, I want to hug you too.

CL at 6:30pm: 3.5a drop of only 2.5 the entire day vs. 8 yesterday and Lord only knows what the day before I was adding it so fast.
CC: 0
CYA - Added 1.5lb this am
PH dropped a whopping .2 to 7.4 since this morning --just bought another box of borax--could this be from the CYA addition?

I believe, Dave, you are totally correct when you say CYA can only bind so much and at the high levels it just burns off rapidly. Ya gotta smell that happening right. At 3.5ppm I can't smell a thing. Duhhhhhhh.

Since turning over my new leaf of relaxing and enjoying the water:
1. What ppm should I bring it up to tonight?
2. When SHOULD I shock?
3. Are there always signs--measurable CCs before an algae bloom?

Bless you all. I feel great!

[DavidD]

1. What ppm should I bring it up to tonight?

I’d follow “Ben’s Best Guess” and bring it up to 5 ppm.

2. When SHOULD I shock?

You should only have to shock when you have a CC reading of .5 or more. Like Steve mentioned earlier, twice a year would not be unusual. I’ve yet to really shock my pool yet this year. Only once have I even had it above 8 or 9 and that was to burn off all the sunscreen after a busy day of fun in the sun. Since I also use a few pucks a month, my CYA is approaching 40 so I very well may have to shock soon with the heavy use and warm 86+ degree water. Maybe I’ll even use up some of the poly quat left over from last year.

3. Are there always signs--measurable CCs before an algae bloom?

I want to say “usually” however I honestly have never had algae so I really can’t say. Fortunately, I found this place while my pool was being built. I have helped friends with algae and they always have had 1 ppm of CC or more.
Happy swimming!

Dave