Starting to look better...but.

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No, do not use those. Must be 100% trichlor. If the "other" is not specified you have to assume it's copper. Usually copper sulfate or something similar that contains copper. Basic tenant of TFP methods is we don't add any unknown chemicals and we only add what is needed based on a test result... sorry. If you have safety glasses spray a cleaner that has only sodium hypochlorite and soap. Worst case maybe use rubber gloves, and safety glasses then soak a rag with liquid bleach and squeeze it in. Or you can get a small container of trichlor. Get rid of the Blue tablets. You never want them in the pool.

Chris
 
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setsailsoon said:
You can Google for pool filter cleaning comb and find something like this:

View attachment 147848
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Do those really work? When I was doing my research, there was conflicting reviews, but everyone agreed that a cheap high pressure nozzle always worked. I wasted my money on this thing.

Amazon.com : Neoterics Blaster 1000 Automatic Pool and Spa Cartridge Filter Cleaner : Swimming Pool Cartridge Filter Inserts : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : Neoterics Blaster 1000 Automatic Pool and Spa Cartridge Filter Cleaner : Swimming Pool Cartridge Filter Inserts : Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com

Check out my review of it here:
 
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I didn't see any benefit to the one that you filmed other than it forces the water backward through the filter. I worked early in my career at a water treatment and preparation unit for a large chemical plant. They used a fancier version of the comb and it worked pretty well. The only improvement over a strong hose is you use the comb to separate the pleats so you can get water in the very middle. I've been using it for 5 years and it helped me get it cleaner faster. I would ***Edit NOT ***say it's a critical must have. Just makes life easier. I think I paid about $25 on Amazon. I clean my filter about twice per year and they last about 2-3 years.

Chris
 
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setsailsoon said:
I didn't see any benefit to the one that you filmed other than it forces the water backward through the filter. I worked early in my career at a water treatment and preparation unit for a large chemical plant. They used a fancier version of the comb and it worked pretty well. The only improvement over a strong hose is you use the comb to separate the pleats so you can get water in the very middle. I've been using it for 5 years and it helped me get it cleaner faster. I would say it's a critical must have. Just makes life easier. I think I paid about $25 on Amazon. I clean my filter about twice per year and they last about 2-3 years.

Chris
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I end up claening mine like once a month in the past and the filters don't even last a year. My plans are to buy a new filter soon. Afetr the advice I got on here, I am going to stick with a cartridge filter, just go with a bigger one.
 
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Niteowl said:
I had that aha moment today that I was looking for. I am hoping that was all of it, but I will still be pulling the main drain cover off tomorrow and scrubbing under it. Once I get the mask and weights delivered. I have never been soo happy to find algae...lol

My AHAH moment -
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You will probably want to regrout and plug those voids up along with those pipe holes. Even with the TFP chemistry guidelines these areas without circulating water will regrow. I’ve learned on this thread. Thanks for the diligent updates.
 
Was your OCLT any better after clearing out the algae in those pipe holes?

Maybe they were for some sort of furniture in the pool at some point?
 
Is there any scenario where just regular maintenance level eventually kills the algae, even if it takes years? I am not giving up, I am still waiting on my package from amazon today. However, I believe that I am fighting a losing battle, with no way to win until I can get this pool fixed. The pipes do just create a loop from 1 to the other. I was able to get some string through it, the tied a microfiber cloth on the string and ran it through it. No more green stuff in there. I will shoot a video at some point today to show my dilemma and why I don't think I will win this battle any time soon.
 
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Nite,

Yes absolutely. All pools that stay on TFP maintenance are truly trouble free. This is my 6th year and many, many have been doing it way longer. You will get there even with the pipes but I think there's a reasonably easy solution to the pipes. Run a fishing tape through and see if it does loop around. Or even a long semi-stiff wire in there. Then attach a messenger line to the wire with liquid chlorine soaked rag in the middle and pull it back and forth to get the whole pipe. Then leave the messenger line in and press in PVC plugs. That should be fine. Don't seal them in case you find out the line is needed. After a year or so you can glue them in or not and just leave them plugged. You just need to then focus on the grout and water line. You'll get that and all of us have that problem from time to time.

Hang in there! You've done the hard part. Pretty soon you'll be clear on your SLAM and at maintenance.

Chris
 
setsailsoon said:
Nite,

Yes absolutely. All pools that stay on TFP maintenance are truly trouble free. This is my 6th year and many, many have been doing it way longer. You will get there even with the pipes but I think there's a reasonably easy solution to the pipes. Run a fishing tape through and see if it does loop around. Or even a long semi-stiff wire in there. Then attach a messenger line to the wire with liquid chlorine soaked rag in the middle and pull it back and forth to get the whole pipe. Then leave the messenger line in and press in PVC plugs. That should be fine. Don't seal them in case you find out the line is needed. After a year or so you can glue them in or not and just leave them plugged. You just need to then focus on the grout and water line. You'll get that and all of us have that problem from time to time.

Hang in there! You've done the hard part. Pretty soon you'll be clear on your SLAM and at maintenance.

Chris
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I don't think that pipe is the problem. I verified that it is just a loop. I hooked my vacuum line to one end and sucked a lightweight string through it. Then pulled something heavier through it. Then I tied a microfiber cloth on to the heavier string and pulled it through. That pipe is clean. Its been a busy day, I am headed out now to the 2nd job, I will shoot a video tomorrow to show what I believe is the REAL problem and why I think that I am fighting a losing battle.
 
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OK, finally got around to shooting those videos. Made a couple new discoveries. Been scrubbing for about 2 hours now. 1 of the videos give you a look at the drain, light cavity and the looped pipes. Yes, I was crazy enough to take my phone underwater. Without further ado, here they are:

My video about why I think that I am fighting a losing battle:
Another crazy video underwater, to give you a tour of some stuff:
 
I almost forgot one. I took a video of some of the algae that was hiding, in plain sight, on the steps. I have a question in this video "When I am scrubbing, should I be trying to get every spot of green off? Or just trying to break that protective layer, so the chlorine can kill it?"

 
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Man you are getting after it now! You probably realize that the stuff above the current water line under the coping should be attacked too. I check these hidden areas from the in the pool perspective regularly and if I see anything, it gets sprayed with bleach and brushed. Definitely see if that stuff it the drain scrubs off in case its mustard algae.

I recently had to SLAM for the first time since since building the pool 2 yrs ago and following TFP. The water looked clear but the pool was using chlorine from my SWG at a much higher rate before and especially after we got more rain. The first SLAM didn't seem to hold even though I passed the tests ... and even after I brought up my CYA. My SWG still had to be set a bit higher for longer than the first 18 months and I kept having to bump up the level on the SWG over the next couple weeks even after raising my CYA. So I SLAMed again more aggressively at higher levels with more brushing and went to DEFCON mustard algae level. Also pulled out the light and drain covers and brushed. Never saw any overt signs of growth .... just some cloudiness with brushing. Anyway.... now I am waiting for the Fc level to drop with the SWG off. The Fc drop is very very very surprisingly slow now... so I’m optimistic that I got whatever it was... I am only loosing 2 ppm or less per day even with full sun in our screened enclosure (CYA 50-60) and the water still looks great. The Fc is still high for now with no SWG action. I hope this one holds....

I am wondering if (particularly in Florida) if algae from deck paver joints can be a constant source of algae inoculation particularly here in Florida in the rainy season. While I have kept the chemistry to TFP levels since we built this pool... the thing that has changed is the gradual growth of stuff in between pavers. I spray bleach in some of the obvious areas now and then... pavers look great but...
 
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"Enough is enough...I have had it with this algae in this pool. Everybody strap in, I am about to break out the big toys" Sorry, that's my best Samuel L Jackson impression. This algae is making me mad, there are cracks and crevices in these rocks that I can't get to with even a toothbrush and even a firm toothbrush is not stiff enough to rub off all of the green. Tomorrow I work from home in the day time, I am going to break out the big guns and BLAST this algae back to from whence it came.

***I apologize to all in this beautiful community if my quote offended. I thought that the majority of people would have seen the movie and knew where I was going, and how it fit right in with my situation. I would never purposely offend any of you that have been helping me soo much to get to the point I am at now. It will never happen again***
 
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