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If you are adding chlorine and it is dissipating with in hours, you may need to stabilize your pool by adding cyanuric acid. If your free chlorine is lower than your total chlorine, its time to shock your pool.
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The free Cl level will always be lower than the total level, because the latter means the combined locked (ineffective) and active chlorine.
The chlorine is dissipated by sunlight (UV radiation) and of course by its reactions with bacteria and impurities. Isocynauric Acid minimises the former but not the latter (obviously!).
You can buy chlorine donors with cyanuric acid stabiliser already added. The trade or generic names include "Trichlor", "Troclosene", etc. Using this avoids both having to store a second chemical and having to calculate its own dose.
Be careful though: the stabiliser does not break down in normal service, and if allowed to accumulate will eventually stop the chlorine from working. When that happens the only solution is to drain and refill the pool. You can buy test kits that measure the Cyanuric Acid level: I think from memory the maximum concentration before it starts to cause real problems is about 180ppm.
Don't forget you still need to maintain the pH level to between 7.2 and 7.6, and correct it if necessary before adding any other chemicals.
What else can I help you with?
What chemical do you add when free chlorine is low?
You can add chlorine-based chemicals such as chlorine granules or liquid chlorine to increase free chlorine levels in the pool. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and allow time for the chemical to circulate before testing the water again.
Does yellow algae consume free chlorine?
Yes, yellow algae can consume free chlorine in a swimming pool. It has a protective layer that can make it resistant to regular chlorine levels. It is important to shock the pool and maintain proper chlorine levels to effectively treat yellow algae.
What is free chlorine in a pool?
Free Chlorine is the Chlorine which is free to do its work in the pool, as opposed to Combined Chlorine which is chlorine that has combined with contaminants and is tied up and ineffective as a sanitizer in the pool. Sometimes you will see it abbreviated as FAC, which stands for Free Available Chlorine.
Can you swim in a pool that has high free chlorine?
Swimming in a pool with high free chlorine can cause skin and eye irritation. It is recommended to wait until the chlorine levels have returned to normal before swimming in the pool to avoid any discomfort or potential health issues.
What if your total chlorine is high and your free chlorine is low?
If your total chlorine is high and your free chlorine is low, it means that the chlorine in the water is mostly bound to contaminants and is not available to sanitize the pool effectively. This situation could result from the chlorine being overused or ineffective due to high levels of organic matter. To correct it, you may need to shock the pool to break down the combined chlorine and restore the free chlorine levels.
Can you swim in a pool if the chlorine is low?
Swimming in a pool with low chlorine levels can increase the risk of bacteria and algae growth, which can lead to potential health issues. It is recommended to maintain proper chlorine levels in the pool to ensure a safe and clean swimming environment.
What do you do if your free chlorine level is 0?
If your free chlorine level is 0, it means that there is no sanitizer in the pool which can lead to bacteria growth. Add chlorine shock to the pool to raise the free chlorine level to the appropriate range for your pool size. It's important to regularly test and maintain chlorine levels to ensure a safe swimming environment.
What do you do if chlorine in saltwater pool is high?
If the chlorine levels in your saltwater pool are high, you should first stop adding chlorine to the pool. Allow the chlorine levels to naturally decrease over time due to sunlight exposure and pool usage. You can also dilute the pool water by adding fresh water to help reduce the chlorine concentration. Regularly test the water to monitor the chlorine levels until they fall within the recommended range.
How do you get the free chlorine level down in your saltwater pool?
To give you an accurate answer, it's important to know how many gallons are in the pool, how high is your Free Available Chlorine (FAC), and what is your Combined Chlorine Reading. Is pool enclosed and protected from sun etc? Is your chlorine generator working properly? You could simply shut down the generator and test your pool everyday at the same time. Keep records of pH, Free Chlorine, Combined Chlorine, Alkalinity, etc. It's important that you maintain a proper pH at ALL TIMES.
Do you need to santize pool after rat swims?
So long as the proper free chlorine levels are maintained you should have nothing to worry about. That is what the chlorine is meant to do.
What if you have too much combined chlorine?
If you have too much combined chlorine in your pool, it can lead to eye and skin irritation, as well as create an unpleasant smell. To reduce combined chlorine levels, you can shock your pool with a chlorine shock treatment, which will break down the combined chlorine compounds and free up the chlorine to sanitize the water effectively. Regularly maintaining proper chlorine levels and practicing good pool hygiene can help prevent the buildup of combined chlorine.
How do you decrease the chlorine ppm in your pool?
You can decrease the chlorine ppm in your pool by adding a chlorine neutralizer or shock treatment to reduce the chlorine levels. Another method is to dilute the pool water by adding fresh water to lower the concentration of chlorine. Regular testing and monitoring of chlorine levels will help you adjust the levels accordingly.
