Green to Great - The Project Begins

[jeffhalljr]

It seems like all "new guy posts" start like this, so I will shamefully start as well... I purchased a home with a pool

I have decided to open the "green monster" this year, rather than renovate, to get some time with it... Post Here (pix included). So I have a lot of cleaning and slamming ahead of me. I plan on starting in a few weeks in case I run into issues I will have time before the kids want to get in it.

What I have one to date:
✓ - TFT Testing kit + K-1766
✓ - Pool Math
✓ - Pool School
✓ - Understand Slam Process
✓ - Hundreds of hours of research on my particular systems, setup, and maintenance

My Current #
FC=0
PH=7.5
TA=30
CH=0
CYA=0
CC=NA
Salt= low to nonexistent

I am somewhat perplexed about the numbers, particularly on the CYA and the Salt. I would think that since the pool was open at some point the above numbers would be at least registering on a level higher than 0. I have done the tests 3 times with all similar results.... or maybe I did the tests incorrectly 3 times, but I was very diligent in following the directions and extended notes.

The saltwater generator does appear to be 10 years old based on the serial number so if it was not working I could see where it may have been drained and converted back to a traditional chlorine pool.... but that would not explain the CYA. If you have any thoughts on that I would appreciate it.

Below are the steps I anticipate taking to "Kill the green stuff" and correct the chemistry (let me know where I am going wrong)

1) Kill the green stuff
- In stages add 23lbs of CYA to get it up to the mid 70's
- Add 10 Gal (as if I was in the 70's for cya) to get up to 29
- Monitor and add where needed 3 times a day to keep FC in range
- Filter 24/7 and backflush when needed
- remove debris, Scrub, Scrub, and Scrub more
- keep it going until I pass OCLT

2) When do I start focusing on the other stuff?
- I will monitor PH but there does not seem be much of a need now
- I will need to increase my TA to the 70 range with 21lbs of baking soda
- CH... will continue to test but at the current numbers I would need to add 150 lbs of Calcium Chloride

3) Add Salt once everything else is cleaned up and stable
- 23 40lb bags
- Start testing the SWG and replace it if needed

I expect to start in at the end of the month and will keep this post updated as I progress through the process. Any help you can provide along the way would be appreciated!

 

[mknauss]

Read SLAM Process
Lower your pH to 7.2.
Before anything, add 10 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine. Circulate the pool for 15 minutes or so and test FC. If above 5 ppm, proceed as below. If below 5 ppm, report here.
Add 30 ppm worth of CYA. No more. Once you have it started dissolving, assume it is in the water and use FC of 12 ppm for SLAM level.

 

[jeffhalljr]

Perfect... i will modify as you suggested.

Out of curiosity, what does the 5ppm test indicate?

 

[mknauss]

Ammonia. Any pool left along time without any intervention can have the CYA convert to ammonia. Hopefully in your case it was rain over flow that diluted the water and thus the CYA. The salt being low implies it is dilution. The quick FC loss test will verify.

 

[kellyfair]

I think Marty is looking for ammonia, which will gobble up chlorine like crazy until it is gone.

If this is going to be your SLAM thread, please do post your before pics here so you can see your progress as you move along!

 

[jeffhalljr]

Well, good news... from what I can tell the 5ppm loss test did not indicate the presence of ammonia.

I went ahead and added:
- 6lbs of CYA (will be adding more in stages) I am not confident in my pool gal estimate quite yet
- 1 Gal of muriatic acid 1/2 strength (ph was about 8.5)
- 14 lbs of baking soda
- Around 4 gal of 10% chlorine to get things started

I have done 2 adds of chlorine to maintain FC @ 12

Below are a few pictures of the pool... the first is before I filled the pool, and the second one is around 18 hrs after adding chlorine. I wish I had taken a picture of the pool filled just before adding my chemicals... it looked like 10 times worse than the first picture, supper dark green. It appears that the chlorine is doing its job as this morning (second picture) it is more seafoam green.

I will be keeping my testing in the pool math app and should be visible in my profile:

Today I plan on:
- Maintaining my FC
- Checking TA and PH and adjusting as necessary

I know that I need to add more muriatic acid to get my PH closer to 7.2. If anything looks fishy or missing anything please let me know!


Before filling pool:


18 Hrs after adding chemicals:

 

[kellyfair]

Confused by your pool gal comment. You are doing your own testing, correct?

 

[jeffhalljr]

Confused by your pool gal comment. You are doing your own testing, correct?

Yes I am doing my own testing with tf-100. Now that the pool is full I need measure the depth at a few areas to get a better idea of the size... I was told by the previous owner they the pool was built by divers and the deep end is larger than “normal”. The good news is that my chem adds lead me to believe that I am close @35k but I think it is closer to 40k.

 

[kellyfair]

So you are the pool gal? Lol

 

[kellyfair]

So, you have added CYA to get you to 30 ppm, and you are adjusting your ph downward to 7.2, and adding maintenance FC until you get ph down, right? And then you will follow SLAM.

 

[mknauss]

- 1 Gal of muriatic acid 1/2 strength (ph was about 8.5)
- 14 lbs of baking soda

Those two items at the same time are self defeating. Be aware of that.

 

[jeffhalljr]

So, you have added CYA to get you to 30 ppm, and you are adjusting your ph downward to 7.2, and adding maintenance FC until you get ph down, right? And then you will follow SLAM.

Yes that is the plan.

 

[jeffhalljr]

Those two items at the same time are self defeating. Be aware of that.

Well that was not intended... I was trying to increase TA and reduce ph. I succeeded in my Ta move but ph has crept back up...I was planning on another muriatic acid add later this afternoon.

they were added a few hours apart.... what should have I done?

 

[mknauss]

The test results shown in your Poolmath logs are fine. Nothing to do. TA at or above 50 ppm is fine. pH in the 7's is fine.

Baking soda raises TA. Muriatic acid lower pH, and TA.

 

[jeffhalljr]

The test results shown in your Poolmath logs are fine. Nothing to do. TA at or above 50 ppm is fine. pH in the 7's is fine.

Baking soda raises TA. Muriatic acid lower pH, and TA.

Thanks!

 

[kellyfair]

So get going on that SLAM in earnest! The more frequently you test and dose, the faster you will progress.

 

[jeffhalljr]

So get going on that SLAM in earnest! The more frequently you test and dose, the faster you will progress.

I’ve been slammin @12 fc for 24 hrs now... long road ahead but is it nice that I am no longer sweeping brown sludge... very cloudy but not green or brown at the moment.

 

[kellyfair]

I’ve been slammin @12 fc for 24 hrs now... long road ahead but is it nice that I am no longer sweeping brown sludge... very cloudy but not green or brown at the moment.

Great - keep it up! Brush at least once daily and don’t forget to keep an eye on filter pressure!

 

[jeffhalljr]

Great - keep it up! Brush at least once daily and don’t forget to keep an eye on filter pressure!

Have been brushing after each add... probably too much but it has been an indication of progression and to be honest kind of therapeutic and exhausting. Can’t wait for some assistance from the robot on order.

I woke up this morning with the pressure in the mid 20s and the flow almost non existent. Had to back wash 6 times today.

The journey continues tomorrow...

 

[Snoobug]

Please post pics when you can!