Not making progress with the algae removal

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C

canjones

0
Aug 27, 2016
145
Duncanville, TX
Pool Size
18000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
My pump was out for about a month. Thankfully, my pool was fairly clean until then. New pump installed and I have been at the SLAM for seven days. I would normally start to see the bottom step by now but the pool is still very cloudy. Should I assume that it will take a month to clear up since algae sat there for almost a month?

1. Vacuum and brush daily.
2. Backwashing every couple of days.
3. CYA = 0, FC SLAM = 10
4. I know the CYA at 0 is an issue but I have NEVER been successful at keeping CYA levels up. I use dichlor periodically during the SLAM to help with that.
5. Debating on whether I should try add D.E. to help. I've never used it before.
 
canjones said:
My pump was out for about a month. Thankfully, my pool was fairly clean until then. New pump installed and I have been at the SLAM for seven days. I would normally start to see the bottom step by now but the pool is still very cloudy. Should I assume that it will take a month to clear up since algae sat there for almost a month?

1. Vacuum and brush daily.
2. Backwashing every couple of days.
3. CYA = 0, FC SLAM = 10
4. I know the CYA at 0 is an issue but I have NEVER been successful at keeping CYA levels up. I use dichlor periodically during the SLAM to help with that.
5. Debating on whether I should try add D.E. to help. I've never used it before.
Click to expand...
Try testing more frequently and raising up your FC back up to SLAM level several times per day. This time of year sun's probably eating your FC with CYA 0. I would see if you can get the CYA up to recommended level. What CYA are you using? Are you running the pump 24/7?
 
like the others said, you need CYA in that pool. I’m very curious about your statement that you’ve never been able to keep CYA up. Simply put, that isn’t normal. Why are you backwashing every couple of days? Are you are seeing your pressure rise frequently?
 
It's been raining all week here in Dallas. Finally seeing the sun today. I should also note that my pool is surrounded by trees. I have lots of shade. But I still check the levels frequently.

I backwash because I thought that's what we were supposed to do.

Pump has been on 24/7.
 
canjones said:
It's been raining all week here in Dallas. Finally seeing the sun today. I should also note that my pool is surrounded by trees. I have lots of shade. But I still check the levels frequently.

I backwash because I thought that's what we were supposed to do.

Pump has been on 24/7.
Click to expand...
You can SLAM in the rain. I’ve done it.

No, don’t backwash until your pressure rises 25%. Otherwise you are wasting water and chemicals, and sand filters actually work better if they are a bit dirty.
 
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canjones said:
I've used the dry stabilizer with the sock method before. It never works. Pool Math says if I add 1 pound of dichlor it will raise the CYA by 3. Is that 3 PPM? So, 10 pounds would get me to the 30 I need?
Click to expand...
It does work... but it takes a little time. Are you hanging the sock in front of a return? Are you squeezing it every now and then?

I’ve gotten in my pool with a sock full of stabilizer, swimming around with and and squeezing it, and managed to dissolve it while I was in.

If you are thinking it doesn’t work because you are testing right after, it usually takes a day or so before it will show on your test.
 
kellyfair said:
It does work... but it takes a little time. Are you hanging the sock in front of a return? Are you squeezing it every now and then?

I’ve gotten in my pool with a sock full of stabilizer, swimming around with and and squeezing it, and managed to dissolve it while I was in.

If you are thinking it doesn’t work because you are testing right after, it usually takes a day or so before it will show on your test.
Click to expand...
Yes, I follow the method and squeeze the sock. I also don't test right away. I wait a few days.
 

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when was the last time you added CYA, and how much did you add? While you are certainly losing it through your frequent backwashes, you should be registering some.

How old is your test kit?
 
It's probably been a year since adding CYA. I use dichlor every now and then.

I've had my kit since joining TFP. I guess four or five years. But my reagents aren't old. I replenish as I run out.

All the chlorine in my area is about six months old. So, I'm going to make adjustments in the Pool Math as far as % of chlorine. Instead of 10 % I'm going to say it's maybe 8%.
 
woodyp said:
Your CYA level needs to be at least 30 for the SLAM.
Click to expand...
I have an update.

I'm on day 13 of the SLAM. This is the slowest SLAM I have ever had to deal with. I am not losing much chlorine throughout the day like I normally would which kind of concerns me.

These are my results:
Saturday 5/8/21
8am FC 11.5 CC 1 CYA 30
4pm FC 11 CC 1
7pm FC 12 CC 1
11:15pm FC 12 CC 1

Sunday 5/9/21
8am FC 11 CC 1

Each time I add the needed chlorine to raise it back up to shock level 12.
I can finally see the bottom step but the water is still cloudy.
 
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How old is your CYA reagent? I feel like your CYA might be higher than you think.
 
At least you got the CYA where it needed to be and seem to be maintaining a good FC level. :goodjob: Along with the maintenance routine you have been doing (brushing, vacuuming, etc), it boils-down to being very critical to inspect & clean any/all areas where algae can hide (light niche, drain covers, hollow steps, ladder, skimmers, etc). Also watch for creases in the liner where algae can hide. You are finally seeing water changes so you know you're on the right course. When is the last time you did a sand deep clean? If not for a while, this may be the year.

Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter

This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
kellyfair said:
Your tests above - that was before adding chlorine?
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Yes.

Also, my pressure gauge stopped reading during the Texas freeze. I put my hand at the return line and noticed that the water was not coming out at normal force. I just did a small back wash and now I can feel the water coming out with force. What does that mean? I'm worried that I this dual pump isn't good or maybe I need to call the pool guy who installed it to come check things out?
 
canjones said:
Yes.

Also, my pressure gauge stopped reading during the Texas freeze. I put my hand at the return line and noticed that the water was not coming out at normal force. I just did a small back wash and now I can feel the water coming out with force. What does that mean? I'm worried that I this dual pump isn't good or maybe I need to call the pool guy who installed it to come check things out?
Click to expand...
It means you need a new pressure gauge - TFTestkits.net sells a really good one, it’s what I use. Is that why you were backwashing every two days?

You are feeling better flow after backwash, so your filter was doing its job. You have to be able to notice when your filter pressure rises, so you definitely need a new pressure gauge.
 
With your new gauge, you’ll be able to tell when you need to backwash. When the pressure rises about 25%, that’s when you backwash. So if your baseline is 10 psi and it goes up to 12 or 13, backwash.
 
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