Hair problems from pool

[Gregharnd]

Hi
Thanks for any help here. I use TF-100 test kit.
FC 4-5
CC 0
PH 7.5 - 7.8
TA 220 This has been this since startup and is about 200 from tap water
CYA 50
SALT 3700

I have two problems first my grand kids and wife use the pool about 4 times a week. Then are complaining that it seems their hair is not growing and getting shorter. They have actual took pictures to compare. They have a picture from 5 weeks ago and one from now and the hair length is shorter and the hair looks lighter like it was bleached.
My second problem and I do not know if it is part of problem number 1 is my salt generator. I have had a problem with it from start as now my pool is about 1 1\2 years old. My salt level has always been between 3300 - 3700 my generator is for a 40000 gallon pool but my pool is 5000 gal in ground fiberglass and not very big. I run it everyday but it seems it does not produce chlorine. Example I run it on 100% for 7 hours a night and when I test the chlorine it has not gone up sometimes down could be this way for 5-6 weeks and then it seems to start to work as I see the chlorine level go up and I have not added any chlorine at that time to the pool. The manufacture of the generator has been helpful and they even sent me a complete new system. So I had the system replaced with the new one and still the same problem. I have basically gave up on the salt system. I run every night and I test the chlorine every morning if it needs chlorine I add with liquid
12.5% bleach from pool supply store. So I maintain the chlorine level with the liquid and it works well and the salt level stays at 3700. I do not see how this could be cause of the hair issue. My PH is also always about 7.5 but the alkalinity is high like 220 but has always been this but PH is very stable. Could the alkalinity be my problem. Equipment is ok and eyes do not burn and no skin problems just seems like it is affecting the hair. Thank you for any thoughts and help.
Greg

 

[kimkats]

Depending on the age of the kids and how diligent Grandma is about making them take potty breaks..................that could be the cause of the chlorine loss. What you can do is make sure the salt cell is on then take a sample of water right in front of the return. Test that water and see if it has higher chlorine.

Hair-Your numbers are spot on so all is good there. If they are spending that much fun time in the pool their hair could be drying out just from the wet/dry cycle AND rubbing with the towel. All of which can lead to hair breaking. The bleaching is a natural effect of being in the sun that much. It would happen if they were playing in the yard instead on in the pool. One thing you can do is get a good, leave in conditioner to put in their hair once they are out for the day.

I hope this helps! Sounds like your family is loving the pool life. Good job on keeping it safe and fun for them!

Kim

 

[cfherrman]

FYI, copper is what causes hair to go green

 

[needsajet]

I think Kim's right and you've got high bather load eating up the chlorine.

It's very easy to test for any organic (algae) issue by doing this test: Overnight Chlorine Loss Test because your daily FC consumption sounds higher than normal. Algae is not visible to the naked eye until it becomes explosive growth. Free-floating algae is not visible to the naked eye, but the OCLT test will rule it out if it's not there.

And just to double check, you're using a 10 ml sample, one scoop of powder, and then 1 drop equals 0.5 ppm FC, right? Just checking because of the way you've listed the test results with ranges.

 

[JamesW]

Do you have an fasdpd test kit?

If not, your reagents might be bleaching out from really high chlorine levels.

 

[Gregharnd]

I think Kim's right and you've got high bather load eating up the chlorine.

It's very easy to test for any organic (algae) issue by doing this test: Overnight Chlorine Loss Test because your daily FC consumption sounds higher than normal. Algae is not visible to the naked eye until it becomes explosive growth. Free-floating algae is not visible to the naked eye, but the OCLT test will rule it out if it's not there.

And just to double check, you're using a 10 ml sample, one scoop of powder, and then 1 drop equals 0.5 ppm FC, right? Just checking because of the way you've listed the test results with ranges.

Yes using 10 ml sample, one scoop of powder, and then 1 drop equals 0.5 ppm FC I am always around a 5 for FC when testing. I am when testing always about 4 - 5 for FC. The CC is zero and no sign of algae. The Salt generator has not worked or not made chlorine correctly since getting the pool. Even after completely replace all of the salt equipment. So I keep control with liquid bleach. It is not eating up my chlorine as I add few oz. every other day. So chlorine is staying good. The TA has always been high from day one but my PH is very stable so I have not messed with the TA for that reason. Just with the grand kids and everyone noticing their hair not as long getting worried about this. My thoughts after looking at internet was either the salt or the TA effecting the hair. Not sure if the TA can do this. I see on the internet people complain about salt water drying out hair and even chlorine bleaching or drying out hair. I have lived so. California all my life and been to beach my self many of times never really had a problem from the ocean affecting hair. Any input would be great.
Thank you
Greg

 

[Gregharnd]

I have and use the TF-100 test kit plus I have taylor test kit. They both read the same on chlorine. I always keep about 5 on the FC. I have a few weeks ago reordered replacement reagents for the TF-100. So the Taylor kit shows 5 FC and PH 7.5
The TF-100 shows the same 5 FC and PH 7.5 If I have over bleach would it not show high on one of the test kits. No eyes burning or skin problems and no chlorine smell.
Thanks Greg

 

[JamesW]

Is the hair falling out or breaking off or does it seem healthy and just not growing?

It might not be pool related.

Maybe check with a doctor to get an evaluation.

Are they using any unusual hair products?

 

[Gregharnd]

Is the hair falling out or breaking off or does it seem healthy and just not growing?

It might not be pool related.

Maybe check with a doctor to get an evaluation.

Are they using any unusual hair products?

Just happening to the ones using the pool. They use the pool 4 times a week for a few hours at a time. If you were to look a picture you could see hair does not look as look as few weeks ago. Hair dryer and some blonde that you would get from bleach as I use to see when I was a kid and would go swimming and be out in the sun. This is happening to wife and grand kids and some friends. No unusually hair products being used.
Greg

 

[mknauss]

In regards to the SWCG issue -- do you have a CH value for the water?

I would suspect your fill water is relatively hard with that high TA. I cannot run my TA above 70 or I get scale forming in the cell. My CH starts at about 300 with new water and I have 600 CH now after a little under a year due to evaporation.

If I did not have a SWCG I would not have a pool.

Take care.

 

[Gregharnd]

In regards to the SWCG issue -- do you have a CH value for the water?

I would suspect your fill water is relatively hard with that high TA. I cannot run my TA above 70 or I get scale forming in the cell. My CH starts at about 300 with new water and I have 600 CH now after a little under a year due to evaporation.

If I did not have a SWCG I would not have a pool.

Take care.

Thanks for getting back to me. I just went out and tested. Below are reading from my TF-100
FC 3
CC .5
CH 200 This has always been low. I do not have scale or flaking.
PH 7.6
TA 150 this is the lowest it has been
CYA 40 I keep at 50

my SWCG has never worked right for me from the start. I have been putting bleach in every other day about 7 oz. depending on FC reading. Example the SWCG ran last night for 7 hours at 75% setting. Yesterday the FC reading was 4.5 FC today it is 3 FC the SWCG is rated for 40000 gal pool and my is 5000 at 75% the manufacture say should have driven FC higher. It is very weird as I look at cell as mine has the see thru housing and I can see the plate looking like they are putting out chlorine as when I turn it off I can see it stop. Again Salt is 3700 and I have alway kept between 3300 to 3700 manufacture says this is what they need. I have 3 different salt testers all read about the same. Their have been times when it just seems to start working for a period of time like a week or so. If working at 75% makes the FC go up several points over night and then after week or so it just seems to stop. Like I said in previous post the manufacture has sent me a complete new system and I have replace and still acts the same way.
Thanks Greg