Salt Water Pool Water Smells Like Must

[Watermom]

Well yah, especially in NJ where the "beach" can smell like just about anything

WOW! That sure sounds appealing! Anna, I'm guessing you don't work at the department of tourism for NJ!

[AnnaK]

No ma'm, I don't, but I have written them a letter or two about the interesting variety of items and their associated aromas found on NJ beaches. Because this is a polite and civilized family-oriented forum I won't enumerate. A musty smell is the very least of it.

[waterbear]

am I the only one that noticed a FC of 14 ppm and a CC of .5 ppm? I question the 110 CYA reading. How was this obtained? The CYA test only goes oup to 100 ppm and above that it's not very precise. There is a good possibility that the CYA is actually MUCH higher than this and the smell is because of something growing in the water.

[Poolsean]

Evan, you've been retired TOOO Long. Post #2...I noticed it. = )

[waterbear]

Sean,
I saw your post. My point is that the CYA is most likely higher than 110 ppm and that, even with the FC at 14 ppm there is still CC. Therefore, the CC could very well be happening because the pool is overstabiliized for the FC level. The other possibility, as you mentioned, is that the high FC level is forming disinfection byproducts by reacting with proteins in the skin and that is what is being smelled. Showering will not remove them. You can recreate this effect by dipping your hand in bleach for a few seconds and then trying to wash off the chloramine smell. (although if the FC is at the proper lever for the CYA then most of the chlorine would be in the form of chlorinated cyanurates and would not be available to form disinfection byproducts).
And the plus side to being retired from the industry is that I finally have the time to care for my own pool! Although, if there was an opening with Team Horner I might consider going back into the industry I DO love my AquaCal!