For those of you using Bleach...

[chem geek]

The answer to your question is a function of both CYA and FC (total free chlorine) levels since twice the chlorine level loses about twice the amount of chlorine per day. I now have around 15 CYA and 2-3 ppm FC and lose about 0.5 ppm per day. The pool is normally covered and is open to sunlight (it's an outdoor pool) about 14 hours per week. I used to have more CYA, but had more chlorine and the rate of loss was about the same.

[lagtime]

Holds overnight, uses ~2ppm during our very hot & very sunny days. CYA ~50, water temps 90-94.

[Sprint54]

Interesting thread. I was thinking just the other day when I was adding additional bleach, "mann I sure add a lot of bleach each day. I wonder if I am in the normal usage range of bleach". From these posts I see that I am not alone. I love the BBB method after coming from the 'dark side' of Baq...But for me it's more of a B method, as I never have to raise my PH or ALK. It's more of a BAW (Bleach, Acid and Water). Our pool is 26K gal. inground, plaster. Outdoor, full sun in the middle of the Nevada desert. A few leaves, sand and light bather loads. Stays covered at night, unless the water temp is to high and we want to cool it off. CYA runs in the range of 20-30. I add 10 cups of liquid belach in the morning when the filter first comes on. The CL is 1.5 to 2 PPM. I then check the CL and PH in late afternoon, 6ish or so, and it's normally down to .5 PPM. PH runs in the range of 7.2 - 7.5. I then add another 10 cups of bleach and cover the pool. Filter runs for an additional 3-4 hours after last bleach is added. Then repeat the cycle next day.

Scott,

[stualden]

The answer to your question is a function of both CYA and FC (total free chlorine) levels since twice the chlorine level loses about twice the amount of chlorine per day.

If this is the case, then perhaps we should all be reporting the percentage drop in PPM that we experience each day, rather than the PPM itself?

I wouldn't have thought it was quite that linear - certainly chlorine loss after shocking seems much faster (even in percentage terms) than regular chlorine loss.

[aquarium]

15,000 gallon, IG, Plaster, CYA ~ 30ppm

Loses about 2 ppm per day, in full sun 10 AM - 6 PM

Light bather load, minimal debris currently

[DavidD]

I loose between 2 & 3 ppm per day with 9 hrs of sun. I keep CYA between 30 and 50. My pool would be considered to have a HEAVY bather load and lots of debri.

16,000 gallon I/G fiberglass w/ small waterfall, heat pump, 2 spa jets, 3 returns, 1 hp pump and DE filter.

Dave

[The Raddish]

I have a 24' x 52" AGP, approximately 12,600 gallons. My CYA is steady at 40, and I lose about 2~3ppm of chlorine every day.

My pool gets full sun from dawn until about 30 minutes before dusk. I'm also in Alabama where we have a lot of high temperatures and high humidity. I try to swim nearly every day, my wife doesn't swim quite as often as I do.

[vanhout]

Excellent thread,

<30 CYA, 2 - 3 ppm / day

Update for your chart, which is awesome.

36,000 gallons IG vinyl, full sun, medium bather load

[vanhout]

The answer to your question is a function of both CYA and FC (total free chlorine) levels since twice the chlorine level loses about twice the amount of chlorine per day. I now have around 15 CYA and 2-3 ppm FC and lose about 0.5 ppm per day. The pool is normally covered and is open to sunlight (it's an outdoor pool) about 14 hours per week. I used to have more CYA, but had more chlorine and the rate of loss was about the same.

Is that really true? If I keep my FC higher I lose more per day?

Example: If I normally maintained FC level at 4 ppm, and use 2 ppm per day, then I'd use 4 ppm per day if I tried to maintain at 8 ppm?

Anecdotally, I think you're right, it seems like I do lose my Cl faster at higher levels - like when you shock.

[jmw63381]

CYA is 45. I lose 2.0 to 3.0 ppm per day. Pool has very very light bather load, the odd leaf or pine needle, and full sun during daylight hours.