Algae Assistance

[PrairieGirl82]

Hello! I’m hoping to get some input and reassurance. Opened my pool and got water delivered on Tuesday. It was a full two weeks past when I would have preferred, but here we are. After 3 years of having a pool and following TFP protocol, I’ve been lucky to not deal with algae until now! It wasn’t totally green, but cloudy and headed that way. I added a little cyanuric acid to get up to a CYA of about 30. I started SLAMing on Wednesday. The water is pretty clear now, however there is a film at the water line that seems concerning. It collects on the side of the pool opposite my return, it is a little bit green in color and then closer to the return side is a wispy white. I’ve been scrubbing it (and generally cleaning the pool) when I find it. Also backwashing daily. Here were my numbers from this morning:

FC: 12.5 (down from 14 last night - have been shooting generally for FC of 12, but apparently added a little more than intended)
CC: .4
PH: 7.4 (as of start of SLAM)
TA: 90 (as of start of SLAM)
CYA: ~30 (maybe a little less)

Questions:

1. I assume keep SLAMing today since my OCLT was more than a 1ppm drop?
2. Is the film on the surface edge algae? Or is something else going on?
3. Is it safe to get in the pool? I’d like to give it a good scrub from in the inside, it’s tricky to do from the outside - I’m short!
4. How soon after I’m done SLAMing can I start adding other chemicals (CYA to get up to 60 and my salt for generator)?

 

[Texas Splash]

Hard to tell what the substance is, but yes, continue the SLAM. Yes, you can get in the water as long as you don't exceed the SLAM level. Scrub away! Once you pass all the SLAM criteria, you can let the FC drop back down and continue with normal balancing. Good luck!

 

[HermanTX]

Questions:

1. I assume keep SLAMing today since my OCLT was more than a 1ppm drop?
2. Is the film on the surface edge algae? Or is something else going on?
3. Is it safe to get in the pool? I’d like to give it a good scrub from in the inside, it’s tricky to do from the outside - I’m short!
4. How soon after I’m done SLAMing can I start adding other chemicals (CYA to get up to 60 and my salt for generator)?

1. Yes - until you pass all 3 criteria in the SLAM process. You still have visible algae and have not passed OCLT.
2. Algae
3. Yes - you can swim up to SLAM level so long as it is clear - you want to be able to see the bottom for a safety concern or have someone on duty watching
4. When SLAM criteria are met then adjust other chemicals once FC lowers below 10ppm

 

[PrairieGirl82]

Hard to tell what the substance is, but yes, continue the SLAM. Yes, you can get in the water as long as you don't exceed the SLAM level. Scrub away! Once you pass all the SLAM criteria, you can let the FC drop back down and continue with normal balancing. Good luck!

Thank you!

 

[PrairieGirl82]

1. Yes - until you pass all 3 criteria in the SLAM process. You still have visible algae and have not passed OCLT.
2. Algae
3. Yes - you can swim up to SLAM level so long as it is clear - you want to be able to see the bottom for a safety concern or have someone on duty watching
4. When SLAM criteria are met then adjust other chemicals once FC lowers below 10ppm

Thank you, this is helpful!