PghLybrt.........can I ask you a pool question?

[npmommie]

You are the one that works in the pool biz right?
We have an above ground pool, today I checked the levels, and when I checked chlorine it was just right, then i checked again , this time in a different area of the pool......and it came up low.
can the chlorine levels be different in different areas of the pool?
hubby uses the granules.......and its not a huge pool........18 ft round and 4 ft deep.
I just thought it was odd that the test strips read different in the diff spots.

 

[PghLybrt]

Yep I am the pool person. Couple of questions. When you tested it did you take the sample from about elbow deep in a container and then test that? If you just dipped the strip in the water you can get a false read.

Also, chlorine burns out very quickly when the sun shines. So it is quite possible that you had a reading this morning and do not this afternoon. It is always best to shock the pool or put the chlorine in the water at night. You might also want to check your stabilizer level, if it is low or zero then the water will not hold chorine that well at all.

How are you adding chlorine to the pool and what kind? (I know granular but do you know the % or brand)

 

[npmommie]

Yep I am the pool person. Couple of questions. When you tested it did you take the sample from about elbow deep in a container and then test that? If you just dipped the strip in the water you can get a false read.

Also, chlorine burns out very quickly when the sun shines. So it is quite possible that you had a reading this morning and do not this afternoon. It is always best to shock the pool or put the chlorine in the water at night. You might also want to check your stabilizer level, if it is low or zero then the water will not hold chorine that well at all.

How are you adding chlorine to the pool and what kind? (I know granular but do you know the % or brand)

I tested by dipping the strip in the water, I did test in the morning and it was sunny all day, when i tested again it was a bit later, and that is when i dipped one area and the chlorine was still in the correct range, then i dipped a different area and got zero...........but now that I think more about it........one area of the pool gets shade in the afternoon, the sunny area was the area that came up 0 later in the day.
hubby does the chlorine at night, he sprinkles the granules around, sometimes he puts them in a bucket and dilutes them down then pours that around the pool. Its the HTH brand, in a big bucket with a yellow top, I don't know the percentage.
I debated getting the tabs this year instead.
I also didn't use any stabilizer so I bet that is contributing to the problem.......
thanks so much for the info!........ I will do the test from the elbow deep sample next time! I didn't even think to do it that way.
and stabilizer is also on my to do list

 

[PghLybrt]

your gonna hate me...but you asked for the pool girl

When you run out of chlorine try looking for something that is a 99% trichlor or sodium dychlor. You will use much less. Right now you should be using cup fulls, the other you will use little ounces. Think of it this way, you are feeding your pool McDonalds, everyday. It can survive but it would do much better on real food.


If you ever have questions I am happy to answer (pool stuff is in my blood, its weird) and that goes for anyone else too!

 

[npmommie]

When you run out of chlorine try looking for something that is a 99% trichlor or sodium dychlor. You will use much less. Right now you should be using cup fulls, the other you will use little ounces. Think of it this way, you are feeding your pool McDonalds, everyday. It can survive but it would do much better on real food.

Thanks so much!! I wrote that down so I remember for when we need chemicals again. My poor pool will be having mickey D's for a little while longer I bought the huge 55# barrel of the hth clorine gran
but at least I know better now..........thanks again for the help

 

[PghLybrt]

Thanks so much!! I wrote that down so I remember for when we need chemicals again. My poor pool will be having mickey D's for a little while longer I bought the huge 55# barrel of the hth clorine gran
but at least I know better now..........thanks again for the help

Thats ok to use. We just see problems in pools that use it year after year after year! Another trick, read your algaecide bottles too! The gallons are usually the least effective. Oh and try to stay away from bleach, it has minimal chlorine and lots of extra metals and other stuff you do not want.