Are pebble tek readings different?

MikeinAZ · Postby **MikeinAZ** » Fri 20 Jul, 2007 12:47

Last night I raised my FC to 18 and this morning it was at 11.5. Isn't that to much of a drop? The outside temp was 68 again and my pool temp dropped to 76 since I had the cover off and aerating for two days in a row. No visible junk in the pool and all my other levels are fine except I still have .5cc. I know I shouldn't be worrying about it since the water is clear as day and all my other levels are good. I've always used the creepy crawler and never used the floor drains, I'm wondering is there is some algea build up in the the drain pipes?

Postby **chem geek** » Fri 20 Jul, 2007 18:15

Something is still consuming your chlorine and clear water is not an indication of not having algae or organics that need to get broken down. The CC level isn't high, but when you have a lot of chlorine demand overnight you aren't done. Keep the FC level up. When you have minimal overnight drop and minimal CC and the water is crystal clear, THEN you are done.

It's possible the aeration is having some of the chlorine outgas, but it shouldn't be very much -- usually it's not measurable. If this happens again, you can try not aerating one night and see if it makes a difference, then aerate the next night to see if the drop happens again -- and let us know since that would be useful information (that's how we learn about these things).

Richard

MikeinAZ · Postby **MikeinAZ** » Sat 21 Jul, 2007 12:30

A word to the wise - Check your supply water before you try to lower your TA :!:

I just checked and it is 225ppm and the PH is 7.2, ain't nothing like wasting time and getting the pool cooler for no reason :oops:

.

This morning my PH was up to 7.6 due to aearation and I believe the rain strorm we got last night, it's about time the monsoon has finally hit

. My FC dropped to 8ppm. Still dropping way to much. Pool temp was at 82 and dropped to 76 again. I lowered my PH to 7.2 and raised my FC to 16ppm. Like you suggested I am not going to aerate and I am going to attemp to keep my FC high until tomorrow.

Testing this often I'm going to have to buy some more re-agents

MikeinAZ · Postby **MikeinAZ** » Mon 23 Jul, 2007 10:38

Left the pool covered Sat night and did not aerate. FC still went down to 12 but my cc was gone. Last night I was cleaning the skimmer and found an unwanted visitor - a frog which apparently didn't take to well to the bleach or being trapped in the skimmer :cry:

. I shocked again because he could've been in there all day and who nows what type of germs he was carring.

I checked my FC this morning and is back down to 12 and my ph held at 7.2 and I now have .5CC again. I had to reorder re-agents from Leslies Pools so I'm going to have to take my samples to the pool store

to at least check my chlorine levels.

Backglass · Postby **Backglass** » Mon 23 Jul, 2007 14:56

MikeinAZ wrote:Left the pool covered Sat night and did not aerate. FC still went down to 12 but my cc was gone. Last night I was cleaning the skimmer and found an unwanted visitor - a frog which apparently didn't take to well to the bleach or being trapped in the skimmer . I shocked again because he could've been in there all day and who nows what type of germs he was carring.

I checked my FC this morning and is back down to 12 and my ph held at 7.2 and I now have .5CC again. I had to reorder re-agents from Leslies Pools so I'm going to have to take my samples to the pool store to at least check my chlorine levels.

Don't sweat the frog...he is now thoroughly sanitized. I have had multiple frogs as well as a mouse, snake and three moles in my skimmer this season. Opening that skimmer cover is always an adventure. :lol:

MikeinAZ · Postby **MikeinAZ** » Wed 25 Jul, 2007 11:05

"Opening that skimmer cover is always an adventure. "

That's why my wife says she doesn't like checking the skimmer :roll:

.

I went to the pool store and there numbers were a little off, not surprised. They gave me list of supplies to buy but I can do the same by just aerating the pool. He said my PH was low and my FC was high and my CH was also high (it's 300 and fine). I told him the FC and PH levels were that way because I was shocking the pool to get rid of my CC. He looked confused and when I asked him what my CC level was he looked further confused and said "well here is the list of chemicals that the read out is saying you need."

Well when I got home I checked my levels with my Taylor kit and my FC was 8 and my PH was 7.2 so my FC is dropping at a slower rate and my PH is right were I wanted it. I checked again this morning and my FC is 6 and the FC is still 7.2. Since my FC is now dropping at a slower rate I will aerate the pool to bring my PH back up and see how if it is going to effect my FC. If it doesn't all is well and thanks for everyones help. BTW the only reason I went to the pool store was I had to reorder some re-agents, I may have enough for one more FC check and my supplies should start filtering in today.

Mike

Postby **chem geek** » Wed 25 Jul, 2007 12:29

Congratulations on taking charge of your pool! Don't feel too bad for the pool store guys. Some aren't trained very well and those that are are taught from materials from the manufacturers or use their test equipment and procedures (automated "suggestion" printouts). I've tried to work with some manufacturers to improve this situation, but they don't seem very willing to cooperate. Not a surprise there, but I still thought it worth an effort. I can't even get them to agree that there is a relationship between chlorine and CYA. They acknowledge the science behind it, but say it doesn't apply in "real pools" and point to a study to back them up (I discuss this in this thread on The Pool Forum).