Unwinterized and uncovered

[Sumbeach35]

Hello,

Been trying a SLAM on this new to me pool.

Back story. House had a fire and water was drained from the pool to under the skimmer, sand filter drained but was not covered.

Unknown amount of debris remains as ive been using garden hose poweted leaf bagger. As ive tried to SLAM, the water isnt clearing, filter is having issues maintaining return pressure. There is an ash tree above the pool.

I feel like i need to replace the sand and partially drain the pool to remove debris uaing a trash pump. That is the plan for tomorrow. I am not sure where or how much debris remains in the pool at this time.

I have attached the most recent pool test from Leslie's. I have ordered a TF pro test kit of my own but with my color blindness, i am hesitant to trust myself.

Let me know if there are any questions.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome! Well, you have two very good things going for you - a TF-100 Pro and a trash pump. For now, vacuum, scoop, and brush as much as your back muscles will allow until the kit arrives. You will want the water mixing for about 30 minutes before grabbing your first TF-100 water sample. Hopefully the system will tolerate that much. Then with those results we can help you more. Also take a moment to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info, see mine as an example.. Be sure to include the TF-100 Pro in your signature also. We look forward to helping you.

 

[Sumbeach35]

Welcome! Well, you have two very good things going for you - a TF-100 Pro and a trash pump. For now, vacuum, scoop, and brush as much as your back muscles will allow until the kit arrives. You will want the water mixing for about 30 minutes before grabbing your first TF-100 water sample. Hopefully the system will tolerate that much. Then with those results we can help you more. Also take a moment to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info, see mine as an example.. Be sure to include the TF-100 Pro in your signature also. We look forward to helping you.

Okay, i added more information to my profile after i posted this. I will add it to my signature as well.

The filter will run for about 30 minutes before the pool has reduced return pressure.

 

[Texas Splash]

The filter will run for about 30 minutes before the pool has reduced return pressure.

Until you get your test kit, you might need to run the filter on recirculate from time to time to allow chlorine to mix continuously to help get on-top of that algae issue until you are ready to be on filter 100% of the time. Your pool info is still not showing in the signature, but if it's 15K or larger, you should be able to add one gallon of chlorine daily until the test kit arrives.

 

[Sumbeach35]

Added the signature. 13,600 gallons. 24' round with 46" water height at the edge of the pool when i had it at the proper water level when i started the slam.

 

[Sumbeach35]

This is what the pool looked like yesterday.

Today i was there briefly to backwash and then i am trying out recirculate to see if return pressure is maintained.

@Texas Splash

 

[Texas Splash]

Definitely algae. So be patient until the kit arrives. Just brush and remove anything you find in the water. Now that I see your pool details, add about 1/2 - 3/4 gallon of 10% strength chlorine each day. One gallon of 10% would be just under 8 ppm of FC at a a time and we don't want to go that high yet until your kit gets here. If you are using regular bleach, then one gallon is fine since it's weaker. Once your kit arrives, post a full set of results and we'll get very specific about the chemical treatment required to get that water crystal clear.

 

[Sumbeach35]

Recirculation setting worked well and did not experiance any loss of return pressure.

Going to try to get debris out today. The trash pump may be too large for what i hoped to do. Im worried about damaging the lining of the pool.

 

[Sumbeach35]

@Texas Splash i have been using 73% Cal-hypo due to having low CA hardness. Been adding chemicals using pool math app.

 

[Texas Splash]

i have been using 73% Cal-hypo due to having low CA hardness.

Using the PoolMath APP is fantastic. But I would be careful about the cal-hypo. Right now maybe not a big deal until your kit arrives, but be prepared to switch to liquid chlorine and/or regular bleach once you receive your test kit. Your vinyl pool doesn't need any CH, and over time too much might become an issue. Liquid chlorine is easier to dispense, very efficient, and has virtually no side effects. We'll be watching for those new test results.

 

[Sumbeach35]

Completed the sand change. Top 2-4" of sand in the filter was gel like and almost solid.

Pool is filled back up and running. Filter pressure is still climbing quickly. Starts at 11psi and is up to 17psi within 15 min and reurn pressure is lower than when using recirculate.

Added 30 oz of cal hypo and now going forward, will use liquid chlorine only.

My TF-100 Pro will arrive in Saturday.

 

[CrystalRiver]

The filter pressure rising, and reduction in return pressure, is from the sand getting junked up with algae. Keep at it, running the filter when you can monitor the pressure, and backwash whenever pressure rises 25% over clean pressure. If it starts at 11 psi, you want to backwash when pressure gets to 14 or so.

I did a similar pool recovery last year. You're well on your way already.

 

[Sumbeach35]

Okay, here is the first test results. FYI- i am technically color blind per the dot testing.

CYA-90
TC-4
FC-3
CC-1
TH-170
CH- color issue but i believe somewhere around 250. 8 -12 drops is where i thought i saw color change
pH-7.1

Didnt have DI water to calibrate the pH meter. So that is an out of the box measurement.

Can excess algae skew the CYA results? My CYA was 48 from my last pool store test and i havemt added any extra and ive backwashed and filled the pool after the sand change.

Pool has only been recirculating due to not living at the house and being able to monitor filter pressure.

I will wait for suggestions before any additions using the pool math app. @Texas Splash

 

[mknauss]

Can excess algae skew the CYA results?

Fill the CYA tube with just pool water. Can you see the dot? If so, the pool water is not interfering with the test. Your CYA is 90.
The pH of ~7.2 looks correct. Always use a white background behind the comparator. I know you cannot read it, but posting it here with the white background helps us read it. (I know you used the instruction card, that is fine, but plain white is best).
I suspect you need to do a 50% water exchange and then follow the SLAM Process

 

[Texas Splash]

Good job! I agree with Marty. While your pH appears to be about 7.2 which is perfect to start the SLAM Process. the elevated CYA of 90 is a bit high for your area, especially for a non-salt pool. As you can see from the FC/CYA Levels, it would require you to maintain a SLAM FC level of 35. It's not dangerous, but perhaps with today's chlorine shortage a bit expensive. If you exchange half the water, and lower the CYA to say 40 for example, your SLAM FC level would only be 16. So that could be much easier for your to manage and maintain.

If you do the water exchange, confirm the pH is still around 7.2, then confirm the CYA one more time and go to the FC/CYA Levels to ensure you increase the FC to the corresponding SLAM level and you are off and running. Be sure to use only liquid chlorine or regular bleach to maintain the FC level.

 

[Sumbeach35]

Water draining has commenced

 

[Sumbeach35]

1hr 10 minutes to drain the pool from 46" to 18"

Tested the pH of the hose water from the county. 7.4

 

[Sumbeach35]

Pool is filled, filter ran for 30 minutes before these test results

CYA-30, maybe 20?
FC-1
CC-0
TA-210
CH- 400
pH-7.7

Will wait for a response before using pool math app.

 

[mknauss]

Run the pump for 24 hours and brush the pool, then test your CYA.

In the interim, lower your pH to 7.2, and raise the FC to 12 ppm. Then when you retest your CYA tomorrow, adjust the FC to SLAM level.

 

[Sumbeach35]

Run the pump for 24 hours and brush the pool, then test your CYA.

In the interim, lower your pH to 7.2, and raise the FC to 12 ppm. Then when you retest your CYA tomorrow, adjust the FC to SLAM level.

Is recirculate a sufficient setting for when i am not at the house to monitor filter pressure? This is the downside to not living at the house yet