Combined Chlorine High

[PoolDoc]

Hi Robert;

I was using the local pool stores for water testing which after finally purchasing a commercial Taylor kit 2006 found out that their tests were way off.

That's not new to us!

Do all the following:

1. Tell us, as exactly as you can, what chemicals have been added since opening.
2. Tell us, if you remember, what your stabilizer level was, last fall.
3. Go to Walmart, and get 8 boxes of 20 Mule Team borax. Begin adding them, 2 boxes at a time slowly, via the skimmer, with the pump on, spacing doses at least 4 hours apart. Quit when your pH reaches 7.6 - 7.8
4. Tell us EXACTLY what chemicals you have on hand (mfg, exact product name)
5. As best you can, complete our pool chart:

Pool Chart Entry Form
Pool Chart Results

We've seen more of the high CC problem this year, than in all previous years together, likely because of the weather. The most common cause is bacterial bio-degradation of stabilizer to ammonia, but in such cases we don't usually see positive CYA levels. However, if you've been using stabilized chlorine to shock, you may have add that 60 ppm CYA. However, there are other possibilities, such as the used of a large dose of "Green to Clean" type products.

The reason for a pH increase is that, regardless of source, the end products CC's are oxidized to, are nicer at high pH levels.

By the way, if you have a cover, leave it off. CC removal is a combination of chlorine + solar UV + aeration. Covers cut back on sunlight, and stop off-gassing.