New member, pool owner for 10+ years

[Straightleg]

Cool, light rain last night. Test was before sunrise 6:10 am
fc 8.5
cc 0

I keep my ph between 7.5 - 8.0 add borax as needed. got that part
Not sure how much or how often to add bleach. CHlorine levels should be kept at 3ppm? Is that optimal
I bought a new 2 speed pump through the amazon store... Can you tell me optimal times to run it and for how long.

Just need your best guess program to try and stick with.

Thanks and will buy some more stuff through the amazon link in the future


SL

[Watermom]

Good deal on the morning numbers. No chlorine loss and no CC.

Why are you keeping your pH between 7.5-8.0? That's ok but it is not necessary to keep it so high. I like 7.4-7.6 best but don't chase numbers. Most pools kinda have a place where the pH likes to stay. As long as it is between 7.0-8.0, you're fine.

With a CYA of 50, you want to try and keep your chlorine between 3-6 all the time. Here is what to do. Each evening, test the chlorine. Add enough bleach to take your chlorine back up to 6ppm. The next evening, if you find that your chlorine has dipped below 3ppm, take it up to 7ppm when you dose with bleach. The goal is to find out how high you need to take it so that it never drops below the minimum by the next evening. You will soon learn your pool's pattern. In case you need the Best Guess Chart again, it is here: http://pool9.net/cl-cya/

You want to run your pump long enough to turn your pool's volume over at least once per day. I typically just turn my pump on late morning and off an hour or so after I add bleach in the evenings. (Maybe around 8pm.) Some people run the pump twice a day for about 4 hours each time. There is no set way to do it.

Hope this helps. You're doing great!

[Watermom]

I just recalculated your volume. Since you have 54" walls, your water level is probably about 50" or 4'2" (4.17 feet.) So, your volume is more like 26,700 gallons. It would be helpful if you could edit your signature and put that volume in so that when people are helping you, they have an accurate volume to work with. You can edit your signature by clicking on the tab in my signature. Thanks!

[Straightleg]

I read here somewhere if you keep level between 7.5 - 8.0 you would be less likely for algae. Maybe I am mistaken. I used to get algae ever year. I hope this year will be the change

So ideally.
Run pump 8-12 hrs a day.
PH between 7.0 - 8.0 7.5 ideal
Chlorine betwwen 3-6 at all times.
What cya number do yo like best?


Thanks
SL

[Watermom]

Keeping chlorine level between 3-6 at all times was suggested based on your CYA reading of 50ppm, which is a great reading. If your CYA was at some other level, the suggested chlorine level would be different. Can't remember if we linked this for you somewhere up in this thread or not, but here it is again if I did. Our "Best Guess Chlorine Chart" explains the connection between CYA and chlorine levels. http://pool9.net/cl-cya/. (By the way, this chart is also found in my and Ben's blue signature blocks.)

[Tom.B]

Each evening, test the chlorine. Add enough bleach to take your chlorine back up to 6ppm.

So you test it TWICE each evening? If so, how long after adding bleech do you test again? If not, I am confused about how to calculate what volume of bleech adds how many ppm to my pool.

[Watermom]

Only test once. Then, add a dose that will take you up to where you need it. (Doses are based on your volume.) Remember that your range for needed chlorine is based on your CYA reading so what StraightLeg needs in his pool may not be what level you need for your pool. (I can't remember what your CYA reading is, Tom.)

For example, in Tom.B's pool, each 121 oz jug of 8.25% bleach will add about 3ppm of chlorine and each quart will add 1ppm.

In StraightLeg's pool, each 121 oz jug will add just slightly under 3ppm. (You both have nearly the same volume.)

Here is a bleach calculator that you may be interested in. http://pool9.net/bleach/. It actually is more than a bleach calculator. There is a drop-down in the upper left corner with other calculators you can use.

[Straightleg]

Ok
I tested this morning. It has been 36 hours since I put anything in.
fc 5.0
c 0
ph 7.8

I think I will start with 1/2 a jug of bleach tonight. Will test first to see how far it dropped in 48 hours. Will report findings before and after the 1/2 of jug.
If not high enough then will add the whole jug



SL

[Straightleg]

48 hours since I added anything.
fc 3
Just added 1/2 gallon will wait an hour and retest


SL

[Straightleg]

Retested
fc 5.5

So this test for me.
2 days of no chemicals. FC dropped 5.5 ppm. I also got 1 1/2 inches water added to pool height from rain, it also was running over the skimmer top.

After 2 days added 1/2 gallon of bleach, it took it up 2.5 ppm.

So as of now I am thinking I will have to add 1/2 a jug of bleach daily to maintain my levels.
Can I get some response on what other people do daily with my size pool. Does this sound right?

Just got my new pump in the mail. 2 speed. Will see how much water it turns over and set it to a timer to turn my water over once daily. Does this also sound like the right plan.

Water very clear at the moment...


Thanks
SL