despite multiple shock treatments (both chlorine and non-chlorine), treatments with algaecide, phosphate removal and dry acid, my pool will not hold chlorine. The water looks spectacularly clear. The pool supply people seem to be at a loss to diagnose. Can you help?
Hello Gaddison - You may have “Chlorine Lock”. This normally occurs when the stabilizer level gets too high. Check out our guide titled “How To Break Chlorine Lock”.
I saw that report which lists four different approaches. Is there a “best approach” of the four?
In my experience, draining some water and refilling is the quickest way to resolve chlorine lock.
Amusingly enough, that was my guess. The document doesn’t suggest a specific amount of water (1/4, 1/3, 1/2, etc…) to drain. I can use the pump to drain about four inches (from a 30’ x 4’ circular above ground pool). I’m guessing that I need to do more than that. If I’m doing my math correctly and start with a 48" tall pool, I’d need to drain about 1’ to be at 25% and 16" to be at 1/3. I don’t want to keep emptying and refilling, so I’m interested in knowing what level of draining I should target.
You’ll need to get a water test and find out the stabilizer level. Let’s say your stabilizer level is at 100 and the ideal level is 50. You’d have to drain and replace 50% of the water.
thanks, very helpful.
You’re welcome. Good luck!