Algae Issues & Transitioning to TFP Method

[Solarcharged]

Our pool was completed mid July 2016. I had read about the TFP way and just wasn't confident enough to try it and used tricolor tabs because everyone I knew acted like I was crazy for doing anything else. Now I'm paying for it, I'm afraid. We put in a sprinkler system over the past month and the amount of dirt in the pool was just staggering. I did my best to vacuum and brush the pool, and clean the filter, but I'm afraid it finally caught up to me and we have some algae. I am currently using cal-hypo tablets at the pool store's recommendation as our CYA level tested at 85 on their computer. I was out of town over the weekend and algae hit the pool. My husband threw some shock in and brushed it, but when I got home there was still some algae and the pool was registering FC = 0.

A good friend is a longtime pool designer/builder/owner and said to triple shock it. So I did that last night.

Tested this morning and the FC was 15.

Tested tonight and here are the results:
FC 6
CC 0.5
pH 8.0
TA 130
CYA 80 (which is slightly different than the pool store's reading)
And...I just realized I forgot to do the CH test.

Any suggestions of where to go now would be highly appreciated.

 

[jblizzle]

Stop shocking and triple shocking. And stop using any solid forms of chlorine. Your CYA is already high and I am sure you CH is high given your TX location.

You need to follow the SLAM Process process and start using liquid chlorine.

 

[mknauss]

You might consider testing the CH level first before starting a SLAM. If it is very high due to your normal water adds and use of cal - hypo, you may be best to do a partial water exchange to lower your CYA and CH prior to a SLAM.

Take care.

 

[Solarcharged]

Thank you for the replies.

What would you consider very high CH?

 

[mknauss]

Depends on your fill water. If your pool water it is twice or more than your fill water and greater than CH 500, you will delay having to drain again in the near future due to CH. I have to replace the water in our pool every 16 months or so once our CH reaches 1000 ppm.

 

[Solarcharged]

Thanks, I just tested the pool and fill water and CH was 375 and 175 respectively. While I did buy the cal-hypo tablets, I have only used 2 full tablets and 2 partial tablets, and the shock.

Now off to read in depth about the SLAM process.

 

[kimkats]

The most important part of the SLAM is M=maintain. As in maintain your FC at SLAM level for your CYA.

Kim

 

[JV63]

Triple shock? What does that even mean? Your friend may be a great person, but knows nothing about pool chemistry. Listen to the advice given here and your problems will be solved.

 

[BattleOfYakima]

Triple shock? What does that even mean? Your friend may be a great person, but knows nothing about pool chemistry. Listen to the advice given here and your problems will be solved.

I believe you mean well, and I agree that following TFP will solve most pool problems, but perhaps you could word this in a way that is especially tailored to new members? None of us were born with TFP knowledge, we had to learn it, and most of us, the hard way. Please summon all your compassion, empathy, and encouragement when posting on TFP threads with people with pool problems as they are probably somewhat distressed already. We are glad to have you, and always glad to hear people letting the newcomers know TFP works, but I am hoping you can do so in an even more awesome way! I believe in you!

Solarcharged - how is the pool doing, can we help?

 

[Solarcharged]

Hi there - thanks for checking on me. Our pool looks great. I went through the SLAM and have made a believer out of my skeptical husband. I'm sure I will have more questions, but for the time being, the pool is great.

 

[BattleOfYakima]

Fantastic! I suggest a printout of the basic-pool-care-schedule. This will help you keep your pool trouble free!

Anything else, let us know!

And of course here are the links you'll need most often:
ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry - now that you have a working framework of understanding, it will mean a lot more to you
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test - if you see the pool needing you to add more than 4ppm/ day FC on days when no one went in it and it doesn't rain
[FC/CYA][/FC/CYA] FC always depends on current CYA, and CYA tends to go down 1-3ppm/month due to splashout, up if you use stabilized FC products
PoolMath yay predictability
recommended-levels
recommended-pool-chemicals

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