Chlorine levels remaining very high days after chlorine shock.

Ticojpunk

Well-known member
Apr 4, 2023
169
New York
Pool Size
10500
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
First year opening after a winter closing. 21’ round AGP. I shocked it before closing it. And after opening, I shocked it again with a lb bag of granular chlorine shock. PPM are up over 20. It’s been approx 80 hours since shocking and things haven’t moved much. My pool is shaded a lot of the day and probably gets 2-3 hours of direct sun. The skies have also been a bit cloudy the last few days. I think this morning that maybe (and I mean maybe) the levels seems to be dropping a bit (and I mean a BIT). Does this seem normal for a pool that’s shaded a lot of the day? In case anyone’s curious I’m not adding any more chlorine and the pump is running 24-7.
 
Does this seem normal for a pool that’s shaded a lot of the day?
Shaded with blah days recently in the early season (for us) probably explains it.

Be happy that it's holding FC. It could be sucking it down enroute to a swamp. :)

Post them #s up.
 
I appreciate the replies so far. I'm using JNW Test strips from Amazon. Used them last year and I got by ok, but I've no doubt you will all be whole heartedly recommending I get a proper test kit. Here's the link to what I'm using... Amazon.com
 
I appreciate the replies so far. I'm using JNW Test strips from Amazon. Used them last year and I got by ok, but I've no doubt you will all be whole heartedly recommending I get a proper test kit. Here's the link to what I'm using... Amazon.com
Yeah, I've learned 'round these parts you pretty much have to have the proper test kit to receive accurate help. Trust me, I thought I could do it without one. Look at my post history, just now recovering from a green pool (after opening..)

Bite the bullet!
 
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TFP doesn't approve of test strips. Historically, they are unreliable and some of the processes TFP uses won't work with strips.

 
I'll definitely get a better kit. It's funny because my local pool store uses strips when you bring your water in for testing. I never really trusted they were giving good advice and how could they only using strips to test?
 
I'll definitely get a better kit. It's funny because my local pool store uses strips when you bring your water in for testing. I never really trusted they were giving good advice and how could they only using strips to test?
I just had a friend who went to a pool store with their sample & they tested it with strips as well. I was very surprised. I've been to a Leslie's once but I'm pretty sure they did not use strips. I don't know how they tested it, but hopefully it wasn't strips! They definitely can't confidently give advice without using the proper chemical tests. Not to mention inconsistency between testers with the strips/etc.

edit; I think leslie's uses rudimentary chromatography after some googling, but without proper calibration between tests chromatography can be wildly inaccurate as well. I remember from chem classes it has to be calibrated with a known sample after each use!
 
That should get me everything I need correct?
It does and you also want the smart stir. Badly. Just trust me there. It's the best $48 you can spend on your pool IMO.

I broke down the differences here :

 

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If you run low on some reagents you can just order refills of each separately on tftest kits. You don’t have to buy a whole new kit. I am still rocking my OG 7+ yr old tf100 kit 😁 I just replace things as needed.
All the reagents are good for at least a year when stored properly. They also run a refill sale in March just in time for getting ready for pool season so something to remember- they usually send an email about it too.
 
It does and you also want the smart stir. Badly. Just trust me there. It's the best $48 you can spend on your pool IMO.

I broke down the differences here :

After doing the FAS-DPD test for Chlorine two times so far, I think the smartstir is a good idea, would recommend. I'll probably pick something similar up soon. Swirling the vial 40 times inbetween drops isn't as fun :ROFLMAO:
 
Swirling the vial 40 times inbetween drops isn't as fun :ROFLMAO:
I don't need calcium with northeast vinyl pool but I can see how it's worth it's weight in gold for anyone who does, particularly those with high CH fill water.

It makes or breaks the salt test also. The last 10 to 15 drops kinda change it a little but don't and watching the smart stir decide for me is heavenly. Nope. Drop. Mayyyybe. Nope. Drop. Mayyybe. Nope. Drop. Nope. Drop. Maybe this time. Nope. Drop. BOOM. Ok yeah. :ROFLMAO:
 
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It does and you also want the smart stir. Badly. Just trust me there. It's the best $48 you can spend on your pool IMO.

I broke down the differences here :

Thanks. Read through your other post and I guess it makes sense to just get the TF-Pro if the magnetic stirrer is an important add-on.

In the mean time, my initial question being "can a pool being in the shade cause chlorine evaporation to happen really slowly?", I think I got the answer to that one. My gut said yes, but wanted to run it by some more experienced folks.
 
Read through your other post and I guess it makes sense to just get the TF-Pro if the magnetic stirrer is an important add-on.
It's really really nice and I appreciate the organization every last time I use it. The TF 100 is entirely functional but I had to hunt and pick each bottle everytime.

The 2 Taylor kits (using the same reagents) just don't compare for their price points if they're not clearanced somewhere and if they are, they could be old stock and not worth the savings. 🤷‍♂️


My gut said yes, but wanted to run it by some more experienced folks
You'll have accurate data soon, and then we'll know for sure. 'Holding FC' is provable or disprovable when you have actual values and not shades of green/purple. 'Dark green-ish' isn't a value. :ROFLMAO:
 
I'll definitely get a better kit. It's funny because my local pool store uses strips when you bring your water in for testing. I never really trusted they were giving good advice and how could they only using strips to test?
They can't - but that doesn't hurt their business model, it only enhances it.
Your TA is low, add this TA-UP product at $12 a pound (yes, we know it's just Baking Soda...but look at that margin!!)
Oh no, your TA is too high...you need some PH Down - its only $19 for this big bag. Yeah add it all.
Oh, your TA is fine, but your PH is really low. You should add PH UP to raise it. BTW, your sulphates are high we have this great product for removing them. Only $29.99
Huh, your CC and your TA are now both high. You probably have phosphates too. Yep, look, blue on the strip...
You should add this granular shock. And take this PhosGone too...just $32.95 this month, just your lucky day I guess.
Weird, your pool is cloudy. Your calcium is through the roof...you need to add this special acidifier...$19.95, you'll probably need two tho.
Your pool went green ? Yeah, that can happen when the Moon is in Aquarius and Venus is in retrograde. On a positive note, love seems likely for Scorpios. Oh, you're a Saggitarius...well, don't make any significant financial decisions this week. BTW, have you considered a pool robot ? Oh, for the pool ? Yeah, add 16 gallons of Liquid Shock and 5lbs of stablizer.

Ok, yes, thats all a bit silly...except the 16 gallon Shock advice which was REAL poolstore advice less than a month ago for one member.

We recommend accurate testing because with accurate information, you can make accurate decisions. The chemistry involved is not that complicated, and most of the chemicals you need you can buy at the grocery store for a fraction of the poolstore prices.
 
ineedthisforreactions GIF
 
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TF-Pro Kit ordered. I'll post up some real deal numbers once I get it.

Where do the kits ship from? I'm in NY. Trying to estimate when it might get here.
 
Got the kit and my numbers.

FC 9
CC .25
TA 140
PH 7.8
Cal Hardness 150
CYA 90

Currently not adding any chlorine via pucks or anything at all. That 9 FC is still the remaining shock from last week slowly dropping.
 
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