Starting with a swamp - order of operations?

[CrystalRiver]

What liquid chlorine are you using?

HTH Liquid Chlorinator, 10% sodium hypochlorite

Grab a sample of pool water and look at it in the view tube. I'll betcha it hardly looks cloudy at all. Do the CYA test. You may have started at 20, if so now you're at 50, and thus you're keeping too low a FC.

Without reagent, I can barely see the dot at 30. With reagent, it tests at 80. I originally added 1 pound stabilizer via sock and 20 ounces trichlor via floater. I know you're not supposed to backwash during that time but I was backwashing multiple times a day. There's just no way it's anywhere near 80.

 

[mknauss]

Any potential to do a major drain and refill?

 

[CrystalRiver]

This pool confuses me. I showed you the ridiculous foam yesterday. I bumped FC up to 18 (mustard algae level) last night. This morning, moderate foam. At 2 PM, no foam at all. I backwashed, and foam returned as soon as I turned the filter back on. Picture taken before backwashing.



I retested CYA and got a bit over 30.

I'm holding the course for now. I have an inline leaf canister coming Wednesday. Then I'll be more confident to vacuum to filter.

 

[CrystalRiver]

I've tested CYA several times. Seems to be pretty consistently just a hair over 30. I'm targeting FC based on CYA 40 now.

Vacuuming picked up some rocks and a few pine needles, nothing else. Walls of pool are not slimy at all. But the water isn't clearing. Filter pressure is not rising - I haven't backwashed in days. Pressure is currently 13.5, and 13 is my clean pressure.

With my arm as deep as I can reach, 16 inches, I can see the difference if I hold up 2 fingers vs 4, but not 3. At this rate, we'll get the water clear just in time to close the pool. I'm seriously considering using floc as a last ditch effort before talking to homeowner about and figuring out legality of partial drain/refill (water use restrictions). I don't know what else to do.

 

[Richard320]

Sounds like it's time to try Add DE to a Sand Filter - Trouble Free Pool

 

[CrystalRiver]

I've done that with cellulose. Would DE be any different?

 

[mknauss]

Have you passed at least two OCLT in a row? No CC?

 

[CrystalRiver]

I haven't tried OCLT. CC 1 or less. I thought I need to have clear water before bothering with OCLT.

 

[mknauss]

That is the standard. But you say you are in a holding pattern, filter is not capturing solids. So try the OCLT.

A high quality clarifier may be warranted (SeaKlear Chitosan). But you want to be absolutely sure you have no active organics. The OCLT does that. Clarifier is not a normal part of this process. Only when a pool is stubborn to clear. It can make a mess if you have algae still active.

 

[CrystalRiver]

Where would I get the SeaKlear? I know I need to pass two OCLTs before using. I just want to get a jump start on it if it needs to be ordered. We've already lost so much time.

 

[mknauss]

Where would I get the SeaKlear?

Amazon is one source.

 

[Richard320]

I've done that with cellulose. Would DE be any different?

No. But it's strange that it didn't work, and that the pressure isn't skyrocketing.

 

[CrystalRiver]

No. But it's strange that it didn't work, and that the pressure isn't skyrocketing.

Did two rounds of cellulose fiber today. Pressure held steady at 13 psi (starting) for a while, ten minutes or so, then shot up rather quickly to 17 within 30 seconds. FYI for anyone else who may be in a similar situation, keep an eye on the gauge, it's not a linear rise in pressure over time.

It's been backwashed out.

 

[mknauss]

It's been backwashed out.

But it was working. You should do that multiple times as that means your filter is doing its job. Do not use clarifier if that was working.

 

[CrystalRiver]

OCLT -3. Sigh. I just don't know why it's not working. The only place algae could be hiding is under the opaque water, and I can't do anything about that. I've brushed. Weir door is new and pristine. Pump basket has been cleaned. There's no lights. Ladder is not in. There's nowhere else I can look.

 

[mknauss]

Do the DE or cellulose fiber process. It was working before.

 

[CrystalRiver]

I can clearly see each finger now.

I'm not going to OCLT tonight, but when I do, do I need to test after sundown, or is it fine to test once full shade is on the pool for the rest of the day? It's about a 1-2 hour difference.

 

[mknauss]

As close to sunset as possible.

 

[wireform]

I can clearly see each finger now. View attachment 153580

I'm not going to OCLT tonight, but when I do, do I need to test after sundown, or is it fine to test once full shade is on the pool for the rest of the day? It's about a 1-2 hour difference.

Sorry to burst your bubble but from the way your hand looks you are no way ready for OCLT. I would recommend to keep slam for another few days. Clarity here is key.

 

[CrystalRiver]

I decided to run a full set of tests this morning because it hasn't been tested in a while, and I don't know this pool's tendencies.

The thing that really confuses me is the TA.

7/2 pH 6.8, TA 20, added 15 oz baking soda -> pH 7.0
7/4 pH 6.8, TA 40
7/5 added 50 oz Borax, 32 oz baking soda
7/21 TA 110

HOW did TA jump like that? I ran the test twice to confirm. My fill water is TA 30. Evaporation is minimal, well-balanced by rain.

I've double, triple checked the Effects of Adding, pool dimensions, ingredients and quantities of chems added. It just doesn't make sense.