Can't clear CC or reach an FC level after tons of bleach - FAS-DPD testing

[BigDave]

I'm sorry, I missed something. Your FC in the bucket test started at 25ppm? and 1/2tsp 12.5% bleach got you to 56ppm? or - ah, I see. You started the bucket test after your 10:30 reading today - right? OK I suppose I wasn't clear - I'm sorry - I gave you the bucket test to save you from using full doses on your pool so you could see that you can clear the pool if you keep at it. I expected to get your bucket to the 20-30ppm FC level, 60 is alot. But since you've already got the pool to 25ppm FC, dump the bucket in the pool and rinse it out. If you start to lose faith that this will work and you don't want to spend so much on bleach to prove it, we can fill it again.
Be careful with that bucket, it's got alot of bleach in it.

Do not try to bring your pool to 56ppm FC.

To clear the CC you have to maintain shock level, not let it drift down. Since you're there now, keep it there. Eventually, you'll oxidize all the stuff in your pool that's showing up as CC, the CC will go to 0 and you'll start keeping FC overnight.

Really you will.

[chem geek]

"Clear" for the FAS-DPD test means clear of color, not that it is clear and not cloudy. When I do the FAS-DPD for my pool water, it is sometimes cloudy after adding DPD powder, especially if the water is warmer. What you are looking for in the test is the absence of pink/red color.

[JuJuBee]

I'm sorry, I missed something. Your FC in the bucket test started at 25ppm? and 1/2tsp 12.5% bleach got you to 56ppm? or - ah, I see. You started the bucket test after your 10:30 reading today - right?

Yes, We added 1 1/2 gallons chlorine at 8:00 am. (or FC was 18 and CC was 3.0) At 10:30 our pool was 25 FC and 2.5 CC. That's the water we took and added to the bucket. So when I added 1/2 tsp to the bucket, the bucket's reading was FC 56 & CC 3.0.

I realized what I did and I should have taken the water before 8:30. So I let it sit in the bucket undisturbed, mixed it again at 1:30 and took another reading where FC fell to 45 and CC 2.5.

Do not try to bring your pool to 56ppm FC.

I don't try to ever go above 28ppm FC.

To clear the CC you have to maintain shock level, not let it drift down. Since you're there now, keep it there.

What about over night? What if it dips below shock level tonight? And with company coming tomorrow night to swim, I'll probably have to work to get it back up to shock afterwards since I need to let it drop low enough to safely swim, correct?

Eventually, you'll oxidize all the stuff in your pool that's showing up as CC, the CC will go to 0 and you'll start keeping FC overnight.

Really you will.

After all I've learned and seen so far, I believe everything you say. Since I couldn't reach shock levels for 2 full weeks, I was worried I was doing something wrong to prolong our agony. Which raises that question again, how can I reach shock levels again without it taking 2 weeks if I am basing it on current FC level, desired level of 28ppm and the poolcalculator's math? That's what I did for the past two weeks.

[BigDave]

This is why we emphasize measurement - treatment - measurement - treatment - .... Tools like The Pool Calculator can help with ranging but does not model everything that may be or is in your pool. So, if you need to let it slide to be comfortable having guests in your pool, you know you can get it back with bleach, patience, and perseverance.

[JuJuBee]

This is why we emphasize measurement - treatment - measurement - treatment - .... Tools like The Pool Calculator can help with ranging but does not model everything that may be or is in your pool. So, if you need to let it slide to be comfortable having guests in your pool, you know you can get it back with bleach, patience, and perseverance.

I was able to get it back quickly. With everything being monitored the BBB way, I now can achieve results much faster than the first time. Just another brick added to my new wall of BBB confidence.