new pool owner needs help after 2 week vacation

[mkm856]

Hi Everyone! I've been reading this forum all summer since we installed our 15x24 above ground pool a few months ago. All was going well until we got back today from 2 weeks away. I kind of expected to see some issues after being gone for so long. But we have a swg so I had someone come over every other day to clear out the skimmer and that was all the attention our pool got for the past 2 weeks. Today, the water is a slight tinge of green, but I'm not sure just how bad it is considering it's our first water quality issue. I checked all of the levels with the TF-100 kit:
FC: 5.5
CC: 0.5
PH: 7.8
TA: 100
CH: 125
CYA: 60
Salt: 3060
We did get a lot of rain at various times, and the pool is very full. About an inch from the top of the skimmer. I guess my question is do I need to SLAM, and if so is there anything I need to correct based on my current numbers besides bringing up the FC? Pics attached. Thanks for your help!!

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
Your pictures do not show any green, but if you see it, that is what matters. Is the pool cloudy at all? Do you have iron in your fill water?
Lower the pH to 7.2 with acid and see how it looks.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

 

[mkm856]

Welcome to the forum!
Your pictures do not show any green, but if you see it, that is what matters. Is the pool cloudy at all? Do you have iron in your fill water?
Lower the pH to 7.2 with acid and see how it looks.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

I agree that it's not obvious in the photos, maybe best seen by the ladder in one of the pics. The water isn't super cloudy but definitely not as clear as it was before we left, so mildly cloudy? We don't have iron in our water as far as I know. I can lower the pH and reevaluate after a good vacuuming which it also needs. I just don't want it to get worse so I figured this would be the best place to start!

 

[mknauss]

Good plan. The FC is fine for a SWCG pool. See how it looks and start a SLAM Process if you need to.

 

[mkm856]

Good plan. The FC is fine for a SWCG pool. See how it looks and start a SLAM Process if you need to.

I'm going to start the SLAM today, since I've vacuumed and backwashed and lowered the PH but it still looks a bit green. I purchased some bleach from Lowes, did I get the right kind? Also, do I turn off the SWG during this process? Here are this morning's numbers:
FC: 6
CC: 0.5
TA: 90
PH: 7.2
CYA: 60

 

[mknauss]

That is fine. 6% bleach. Do you have an Ocean State Job Lots near you? They carry reasonably priced bleach at higher strengths.

You do turn off the SWCG during the SLAM Process. Your SLAM level FC is 24 ppm. Add enough bleach to reach that level and then test FC and add more bleach to maintain the 24 ppm FC level.

 

[mkm856]

Hmm, never heard of Ocean State Job Lots but I'll look into it thanks! Fingers crossed I get this right on my first try