Came Home to SWAMP

[melsteph]

Hi!
This is the first year I have not emptied and started over with water in my AG Intex pool. I thought I would try to save it and follow all the opening protocals. It was horrible after the winter and took a full month to be even cloudy and somewhat clear. I had finally got it sparkly and beautiful. Left on vacation after slamming. I thought that would "hold" everything until I got back. Had filter and SWG on timer. Storms came and wrecked my plans! Electricity went off, ground falut breaker did not reset, and I have come home to a swamp - AGAIN. Do I start all over? Any tips? I am so frustrated I may not get to enjoy my pool for weeks again!

AG Intex Metal pool - 14,000 Gallons
Sand Filter
Skimmer

 

[Texas Splash]

Nothing new here really. When you get algae, it's time to perform a SLAM Process. It's unfortunate, but it happens when power goes out, pumps die, etc.

 

[melsteph]

Nothing new here really. When you get algae, it's time to perform a SLAM Process. It's unfortunate, but it happens when power goes out, pumps die, etc.

I have been slamming the whole week. But I think I never get the FC level up to shock level according to CYA chart, so I am "chasing myself" with more gallons of bleach.
I am currently at
FC - 12
CC - 0
CYA 60
Ph - 7.4

Shock/CYA says to be at 24. I'm having a hard time getting there. I add what Pool Math says, test in an hour or two and still go back to add more. Have vacuumed once sometimes twice a day to waste. Will add new water to replace tonight. Am I on the right track, still wrong, will I ever get to swim in my clear pool again this month????
Melissa

 

[YippeeSkippy]

You FC dropping is because its killing algae and being used up. Thats exactly what a SLAM is about.... we tell folks to test hourly if they can and to re-dose and bring the FC back up if its dropped. The more often you do that in the beginning the fast the whole SLAM goes.

Next time you re-dose, test about 30 minutes later and see if you met your goal?? Is your bleach fresh? Is it full strength and are you plugging the right strength in to PoolMath??

Maddie

 

[Flying Tivo]

Test every 30 min and add, until it starts to hold.

 

[melsteph]

Test every 30 min and add, until it starts to hold.

How long must it hold or stay ar recommended shock level?
I was at 20 FC and added recommended 6% full strength, bleach so I am climbing

 

[Texas Splash]

How long must it hold or stay ar recommended shock level?

As much as you can... work and sleep aside of course. But the better you "maintain" that SLAM level (in your case "24" based off of a CYA of 60) the better the SLAM Process will work for you. Letting it drop slows progress and becomes counter productive.

 

[mknauss]

SLAM -- Shock Level and MAINTAIN. You maintain the shock level until you pass the three criteria shown on the SLAM Process article. Read the article.

 

[mariane]

Seems the vacuuming to waste causes the chlorine level to lower so you might also be wasting chlorine, making it harder to maintain SLAM levels. Also dumping and refilling water will lower CYA some, which also might make target FC for your SLAM a little lower too.

As everyone said previously, make sure FC levels stay at or above SLAM in order to kill algae.
Hope this helps.